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Accessibility Statement

Policy Statement

Northumberland Humane Society (NHS) is committed to preventing, identifying, and removing barriers that impede the ability of people with disabilities to access programs and services.

NHS’s Accessibility Policy is intended to comply with the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act, 2005 (AODA), the Integrated Accessibility Standards Regulation, Ontario Regulation 191/11, and the accessibility-related requirements of the Ontario Human Rights Code. This policy will be interpreted and applied in a manner that promotes dignity, independence, integration and equal opportunity for people with disabilities.

Purpose

The purpose of this policy is to outline NHS’s practices and procedures for identifying, preventing and removing barriers to accessibility in the delivery of programs, services, employment, communications and facilities, and for meeting applicable requirements under Ontario accessibility legislation.

Definitions Assistive Devices and Measures

Assistive devices and measures are supports made available to improve access programs and services for those with disabilities. For example, wheelchairs, volunteers, real-time captioning services (on-screen typing of what speakers are saying), sign language interpreters or deaf-blind interveners. According to the Ontario Human Rights Code, a "Disability" is defined as:

  1. any degree of physical disability, infirmity, malformation or disfigurement that is caused by bodily injury, birth defect or illness and, without limiting the generality of the foregoing, includes diabetes mellitus, epilepsy, a brain injury, any degree of paralysis, amputation, lack of physical co-ordination, blindness or visual impediment, deafness or hearing impediment, muteness or speech impediment, or physical reliance on a guide dog or other animal or on a wheelchair or other remedial appliance or device;
  2. a condition of mental impairment or a developmental disability.
  3. a learning disability, or a dysfunction in one or more of the processes involved in understanding or using symbols or spoken language.
  4. a mental disorder; or
  5. an injury or disability for which benefits were claimed or received under the insurance plan established under the Workplace Safety and Insurance Act, 1997.

The definition includes disabilities of different severity, visible as well as non-visible disabilities, and disabilities the effects of which may come and go.

Scope

This policy applies to all NHS employees, volunteers, Board members, contractors and third parties who provide goods, services, programs, facilities or employment-related support on behalf of NHS in Ontario.

Application

Our commitment

NHS will provide its services, programs, facilities and employment opportunities in a manner that respects the dignity and independence of people with disabilities. NHS is committed to integration and equal opportunity and will provide accommodation to the point of undue hardship, consistent with the AODA, the Integrated Accessibility Standards Regulation and the Ontario Human Rights Code.

Providing animal programs and service to people with disabilities

NHS is committed to excellence and equity in serving all, including people with disabilities.

Our commitment is demonstrated in the areas of:

  • Communication NHS will communicate with people with disabilities in ways that take their disability into account. Upon request, NHS will provide or arrange for accessible formats and communication supports in a timely manner and at a cost that is no more than the regular cost charged to others. NHS will consult with the person making the request to determine the suitability of an accessible format or communication support. Public-facing websites and web content will be maintained in accordance with applicable Web Content Accessibility Guidelines requirements under Ontario accessibility legislation.
  • Telephone services Personnel will communicate by telephone and other channels using clear, plain language, speaking at an appropriate pace and offering alternative communication methods where needed, such as email, written communication, relay services or in-person assistance where available.
  • Assistive devices NHS’ is committed to serving people with disabilities, who use assistive devices to obtain, use or benefit from our animal welfare services and programs. We ensure that personnel are familiar with various assistive devices that may be used by people with disabilities while accessing our services and programs.
  • Use of service animals NHS welcomes people with disabilities who are accompanied by a service animal in areas open to the public, except where the animal is otherwise excluded by law. Where a service animal is excluded by law, NHS will work with the person to identify an alternative way to access NHS services. Personnel will be trained on appropriate interaction with people who use service animals, including in environments where animal health, safety or biosecurity considerations may apply.
  • Support persons NHS welcomes people with disabilities who are accompanied by a support person. A person with a disability will not be prevented from having access to their support person while on NHS premises or at NHS-hosted events. If an admission fee or event fee applies to a support person, NHS will provide advance notice wherever possible.
  • Employment NHS will notify applicants, employees and volunteers that accommodation is available during recruitment, assessment, selection, onboarding, training, performance management, career development, redeployment and return-to-work processes. NHS will work with individuals who request accommodation to develop appropriate accommodation plans and, where required, individualized workplace emergency response information.
  • Facilities NHS will consider accessibility when maintaining, renovating, procuring or acquiring facilities, goods, services, self-service tools and public spaces. Where barriers are identified, NHS will take reasonable steps to remove them or provide alternative access, taking into account health and safety, animal welfare, operational requirements and applicable law.
  • Notice of temporary disruption NHS will provide notice of planned or unexpected disruptions to accessible facilities, services or systems that people with disabilities may rely on. The notice will include the reason for the disruption, the anticipated duration and a description of alternative facilities or services, if available. Notices may be posted at the affected location, on the NHS website or social media channels, through voicemail or email, or by another method appropriate to the circumstances.

Feedback and Requests for Accommodation

NHS will maintain a process for receiving and responding to feedback about the accessibility of its services, programs, facilities and employment practices. Feedback may be provided in person, by telephone, by email, in writing or through another accessible method on request. NHS will acknowledge and respond to accessibility feedback in a timely manner and will take reasonable steps to address identified barriers.

Requests for accessible formats, communication supports or accommodation should be directed to the appropriate NHS manager or designate. NHS will consult with the person making the request and will protect personal information and disability-related information in accordance with privacy and confidentiality requirements.

Procedure

All personnel engaged in delivering NHS programs, services, facilities or employment-related processes must complete accessibility training appropriate to their duties as soon as practicable after joining NHS and when this policy or related procedures change. Training will include, but is not limited to:

  • The purposes of the AODA and the requirements of the Integrated Accessibility Standards Regulation that apply to NHS.
  • How to interact and communicate with people with various types of disabilities.
  • How to interact with people with disabilities who use an assistive device or require assistance of a service animal or a support person.
  • How to learn about the use of various assistive devices.
  • What to do if a person with a disability is having difficulty accessing NHS programs and/or services

NHS will keep records of accessibility training where required, including the dates training was provided and the number of individuals trained. NHS may use Government of Ontario accessibility training resources, internal materials and role-specific guidance to meet these requirements.

NHS will review this policy at least every three years, or earlier if required by legislative changes, operational changes or identified accessibility barriers. Where NHS is required to file an accessibility compliance report, it will do so by the applicable Government of Ontario deadline.

References

Review history

  • May 2023: Initial draft
  • July 2026: Revised to align with current Ontario accessibility legislation and Integrated Accessibility Standards requirements.