ASLC Accessibility Policy – AODA
STATEMENT OF COMMITMENT
The Association of Ston(e)y Lake Cottagers (ASLC) is committed to treating all individuals with dignity and respect and strives to provide an accessible and welcoming environment for all. The ASLC supports the goals of the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA) and is committed to providing customer service in a manner that respects the dignity and independence of people with disabilities.
Assistive devices
We will ensure that our staff are trained and familiar with the various assistive devices we have on site or that we provide that may be used by customers with disabilities while accessing our goods or services.
Communication
We will communicate with people with disabilities in ways that take their disability into account.
Service animals
We welcome people with disabilities and their service animals. Service animals are allowed on the parts of our premises that are open to the public.
Support persons
A person with a disability who is accompanied by a support person will be allowed to have that person accompany them on our premises.
• Fees will not be charged for support persons
We will notify customers of this by posting a notice on the bulletin board public store area, and on our website.
Notice of temporary disruption
In the event of a planned or unexpected disruption to services or facilities for customers with disabilities the ASLC will notify customers promptly. This clearly posted notice will include information about the reason for the disruption, its anticipated duration, and a description of alternative facilities or services, if available.
Services/Facilities include: Accessible washroom at store.
The notice will be made publicly available on the bulletin board in the kitchen area, and on our website.
Training
The ASLC will provide accessible customer service training to employees, volunteers and others who deal with the public or other third parties on our behalf. Training will also be provided to people involved in the development of policies, plans, practices and procedures related to the provision of our goods and services.
Individuals in the following positions will be trained:
- Store Operators / Staff; Programs Staff / Volunteers; Board members
Staff will be trained on Accessible Customer Service before the start of each operating season (i.e. by July 1st each year).
Training will include:
• An overview of the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act, 2005 and the requirements of the customer service standard
• The ASLC’s plan related to the customer service standard
• 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 the assistance of a service animal or a support person
• How to use the equipment or devices available on-site or otherwise that may help with providing goods or services to people with disabilities. These include: Accessible washroom at store
• What to do if a person with a disability is having difficulty in accessing ASLC goods and services Staff will also be trained when changes are made to our accessible customer service plan.
Feedback process
Customers who wish to provide feedback on the way the ASLC provides goods and services to people with disabilities can provide feedback in the following ways:
• Email us at Governance@aslcmembers.ca
The ASLC shall:
• acknowledge the feedback promptly
• in the case of a complaint, investigate and contact the individual to clarify if necessary
• notify the individual of the outcome
Notice of availability
The ASLC will notify the public that our documents related to accessible customer service are available upon request by posting a notice on the bulletin board in the public store area, and on our website.
Modifications to this or other policies
Any policy, practice or procedure of the ASLC that does not respect and promote the principles of dignity, independence, integration and equal opportunity for people with disabilities will be modified or removed.
INFORMATION AND COMMUNICATIONS
Accessible Formats and Communication Supports
The ASLC will provide accessible information and communication by identifying, removing, and preventing barriers. The ASLC shall provide accessible formats or communications supports in a timely manner at no additional cost thanthe regular cost charged to other persons, and shall consult with the individual making the request to ensure suitability.
If it is determined that information or communications are unconvertible, the ASLC shall provide the individual requesting the information or communication with:
(a) an explanation as to why the information or communications are unconvertible; and,
(b) a summary of the unconvertible information or communications.
Website Accessibility
The ASLC will meet internationally-recognized Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) 2.0 Level AA website requirements in accordance with Ontario’s accessibility laws.
Emergency Procedures, Plans or Public Safety Information
The ASLC will ensure that any safety and emergency information made publicly available is provided, upon request in an accessible format or with appropriate communication supports.
EMPLOYMENT
The ASLC is an equal opportunity employer. We embrace diversity and inclusion in our workplace.
Recruitment, Assessment and Selection
Employees, job applicants and the public shall be notified that accommodations for disabilities can be made during the recruitment and hiring process upon request. The ASLC shall consult with those who request accommodations during the recruitment and hiring process to ensure that we understand and take into account the individual’s needs so that the accommodations that are provided are effective. Successful applicants will be notified of the ASLC’s policies for accommodating employees with disabilities when making offers of employment.
Accessible Formats and Communication Supports for Employees
New and existing employees are informed of policies used to support employees with disabilities and will be kept up-to-date when changes occur to these policies.
If an employee with a disability requests it, the ASLC will provide or arrange for the provision of accessible formats and communication supports for the following:
· Information needed in order to perform their job; and
· Information that is generally available to all employees in the workplace.
Workplace Emergency Response Information
The ASLC will create individual workplace emergency response information for employees who identify potential accessibility barriers when responding to emergency situations. In addition, this information shall be provided, with the employee’s consent, to the person(s) designated to provide assistance. The information shall undergo review when:
· the employee moves to a different location;
· the employee’s accommodation needs change,
· the employee’s overall accommodation plans are reviewed; and,
· the ASLC reviews its general emergency response plan.
Individual Accommodation Plans
A written process for the development and maintenance of documented individual accommodation plans shall be developed to support employees with disabilities. If requested, these plans shall include information regarding accessible formats and communication supports, as well as individualized workplace emergency response information.
Return to Work Process
The ASLC will develop and implement return to work processes for employees who are absent from work due to a disability and require disability-related accommodation(s) in order to return to work.
The return to work process will outline the steps the ASLC will take to facilitate the employee’s return to work.
Performance Management
The ASLC will ensure employees with disabilities or individual accommodation plans are provided unbiased access to career development, performance management and redeployment opportunities.
AMENDMENTS TO THIS POLICY
This policy is effective April 30, 2026. The ASLC reserves the right to review and revise the Accessibility Policy as required and without notice.