Accessibility

Brantford Police Service

Accessibility Information Document

The Accessibility Standards for Customer Service Regulation (O.Reg.429/07) made pursuant to the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disability Act, 2005 requires organizations to prepare one or more documents describing its policies, practices, and procedures; the steps taken for the organization to notify the public of temporary disruption of facilities or services; its feedback process; and a summary of the contents of training and the details of when the training is to be provided. The documents required by this Regulation are to be made available upon request. This document is meant to meet the requirements of the Customer Service Standard and is posted on the Service website for public availability.

Accessibility Policy Overview

The policy states that the services provided by the Brantford Police Service should be accessible to all members of our community. Accessibility will be promoted through policy, procedures, and practices which consider persons with disabilities by addressing integration, independence, dignity and equal opportunity. The policy speaks to the Service providing accessibility to persons with disabilities who are accompanied by a support person, service animal, or who use assistive devices. The policy follows the Customer Service Standards. People with support persons or service animals are to be accommodated and allowed in the public areas of the facilities and into other areas when accompanied by a staff member unless there are safety concerns or the animal is excluded by law. People who use assistive devices should be allowed to use them to obtain, use, or benefit from our services absent any security or safety concerns. The feedback process is described and tied into the feedback process for the City of Brantford. It is elaborated on below.

A process is identified for employees to follow to deal with requests for alternate formats of documents. The process provides for our staff to work with a person requesting an alternate format to provide a document, or the information contained in the document, in a feasible format that takes into account the person’s disability. It is also the intention of the Service, where possible, to adhere to the CNIB’s clear print guidelines when printing documents. Training requirements are included in the policy as established by the Regulation. Training provided to our staff was developed from resources made available by the Ministry of Community and Social Services.

Accessibility Feedback Process Overview

People who wish to provide feedback on how we are providing services to people with disabilities can do so by person, in writing, or email. Feedback should be provided directly to the staff member that provided the service. The feedback will then be forwarded to the Inspector i/c Quality Assurance. Should any feedback go to the City of Brantford, the Coordinator of the Municipal Accessibility Plan will forward the information to the Service for review. Feedback provided to the Service will be forwarded by the Inspector i/c Quality Assurance to the Coordinator of the Municipal Accessibility Plan for consultation and review. Reasonable efforts will be undertaken to improve service delivery and accessibility where possible.

Notice of Disruption

In the event of temporary disruption of facilities or services that persons with disabilities need to obtain our services, notice of the disruption will be provided to the general public.

The notice will include the reason for the disruption, its anticipated duration and a description of alternative facilities or services, if any, that are available. A Brantford Police Service form linked to the Accessibility policy will be used for this purpose. Steps to be taken:

1. When a disruption occurs or it is known will occur, the reason for the disruption will be ascertained, its anticipated duration and alternatives available for public use.
2. The person managing the disruption will complete the Notice of Disruption form from the Brantford Police Service intranet.
3. The form will be posted at a conspicuous place on the premises and have the form or the information from the form posted on the Service website.

Training Overview

Topic : Accessibility for people with disabilities

Students : All members who provide service to the public

Deliverable: Training is to be provided as soon as practicable after a person is assigned a position dealing with the public. Self study packages are to be provided to new employees Training is also to be provided on an ongoing basis as needed due to changes to policy

Instructional Method: Experiential / Lecture

Time Allowed: 1 hour

Training Aids: Computer with CD player, Serve-Ability
Interactive training CD + Quiz, Power Point presentation
-or-
Intranet self-study package and test

Training - Learning Objectives

After 1 hour the learner will be able to:

 Describe the purpose of the AODA and its Regulations and outline the requirements of the Act and Regulations

 Use recommended practices in interaction with people with various types of disabilities and those who use the services of a service animal, support person or assistive device

 Describe how to use assistive devices we provide on the premises for those persons with a disability

 Assist a person with a particular type of disability who is having difficulty accessing our services

All in accordance with Ministry of Community and Social Services identified best practices.


References

 Serve-Ability interactive training CD ‘Transforming Ontario’s Customer Service’ from the Ministry of Community and Social Services

 Access On pamphlets, Ministry of Community and Social Services, Queens Printer for Ontario

 Ministry website tip sheets www.mcss.gov.on.ca



Training Process

 Facilitator will introduce the topic of accessibility and play the Access On course CD “Transforming Ontario’s Customer Service”. The Quiz will be completed as a group. (30 mins.)

 Review the principles of the Act. Treating people with dignity, respect and equality.

 PowerPoint presentation will include information from the Ministry’s tip sheets

 Review the key points of policy including the requirements around service animals and support persons and information on the feedback process.

 Discuss how a person could get service if having difficulty accessing services.

 Discuss the assistive devices we have on premises and how they work.

 Where the self-study package is used, the member will download the package from the Service intranet. The test will be completed and reviewed by the Training Section with the member.

NOTICE OF DISRUPTION



Date: Time: ___________________




We apologize for any inconvenience. This notice is to inform you that due to







the following facilities or services are not available:








The anticipated duration of the disruption is:







Alternate facilities or services available are:








Thank you for your patience and understanding.