Purpose and Background
Under the AODA, Ontario Regulation 429/07, entitled “Accessibility Standards for Customer Service” (the “Service Regulation”), came into effect on January 1, 2008. The Service Regulation establishes accessibility standards specific to customer service for private sector organizations that provide goods and services to members of the public or other third parties.
The objective of this policy is to identify what the equal treatment provisions of the Ontario Human Rights Code, through the AODA and the Integrated Accessibility Standards Regulation(IASR), require with respect to service delivery to persons with disabilities and addresses the following:
- The Provision of Goods and Services to Persons with Disabilities;
- The Use of Assistive Devices;
- The Use of Guide Dogs and Service Animals;
- The Use of Support Persons;
- Notice of Service Disruptions;
- Customer Feedback;
- Training; and
- Notice of Availability and Format of Required Documents.
Statement of Commitment and Accountabilities
WSI / King is committed to providing a respectful, welcoming, accessible, and inclusive environment in the provision of goods and services for both customers/clients and employees alike. WSI / King is committed to, and strives to ensure that, the AODA, the standards and all other relevant legislation concerning accessibility, are rigorously observed. WSI / King ensures that all persons within its community are aware of their rights and responsibilities to foster an accessible and inclusive environment with and for persons with disabilities.
People with disabilities will be given an equal opportunity to obtain, use and benefit from WSI / King’s products and services in a way that is respectful of the dignity and independence of people with disabilities and in a manner which takes into account the person’s disability.
All goods and services provided by WSI / King shall follow the principles of dignity, independence, integration and equal opportunity.