a) Any degree of physical disability, infirmity, malformation or disfigurement that is caused by bodily injury, birth defect or illness.

b) A condition of mental impairment or developmental disability

c) A learning disability, or dysfunction in one or more of the processes involved in understanding or using symbols or spoken language

d) A mental disorder

e) An injury or disability for which benefits were claimed or received under the insurance plan established under the Workplace Safety and Insurance Act (1997)

Purpose:

This policy provides a guideline for the provision of The Centre for Health's services to individuals with disabilities and is consistent with the Accessibility Standards for Customer Service Regulation 429/07 guidelines (2009) affiliated with the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (2005).

Policy:

The staff at The Centre for Health will make every reasonable effort to provide services that are accessible to persons with disabilities and that respect the dignity and independence of persons with disabilities. In the instance where a disabled person requires the services of the staff at The Centre for Health we will take reasonable steps to accommodate the person so that the services are in compliance with our established standards; privacy, confidentiality and professionalism. We will strive to ensure that persons with disabilities have an equal opportunity to obtain, use or benefit from the Centre for Health's services.

Procedures:

Communication-

We will make every reasonable effort to communicate with people with disabilities in ways that take into account their disability. Staff will ask the disabled person what particular communication strategies will be most effective for them. Where the preferred communication strategy falls outside our normal procedures we will do our best to accommodate their wishes. This may necessitate involvement with supervisory staff will in no way result in a monetary penalty to client.

Assistive Devices-

The Centre for Health will allow clients, employees, students or volunteers with disabilities to use personal assistive devices to use The Centre for Health services. Staff training to support the use of assistive devices will be undertaken as needed and in consultations with the person.

Service Animals-

We will accommodate the use of service animals for persons with disabilities. We will consult directly with the disabled person or their designate regarding instructions for accommodating the service animal and will provide training for staff as needed.

Support Persons-

Consistent with The Centre for Health values, The Centre for Health welcomes the inclusion of support persons for the disabled. Where appropriate and necessary the support person will be requested to sign a confidentiality form.

Notice of Temporary Disruption-

As is policy with all The Centre for Health's client we will notify persons with disabilities of any change or disruption to services.

Training for Staff-

All employees will receive a copy of the, The Centre for Health's policies and procedures to read and keep at their desks. Each employee will also be required to complete online training by visiting www.accessibilityworks.ca and clicking the compliance tool kit, review the booklets (Compliance Manual for Small Businesses and Organizations and About the Accessibility Standards for Customer Services, Ontario Regulation 429/7) and sign a certification document upon completion.

Feedback Process-

Clients will be advised at their initial appointment that they may provide feedback at any time by calling 1 866-222-1035 or through our website www.thecentreforhealth.com.

Summary:

Reducing Barriers to Service-

1) The Centre for Health's staff will consult directly with the person with disabilities or (his/her designate) regarding preferred methods of accommodation.

2) If the specified needs require accommodations that are not currently in place at The Centre for Health, The Centre for Health's staff members shall, in consultation with his/her supervisor identify reasonable options and an action plan. The person with the disabilities shall be consulted directly regarding the suitability of alternate methods of accommodation.

3) Consistent with The Centre for Health's policy, registrants for psychological services with disabilities will be informed of the mechanisms by which to give feedback.

Staff Training-

1) Current The Centre for Health's staff is require to complete on-line training (as indicated above), review two booklets provided by January 1, 2012, sign and deliver a certification of completion.

2) The Centre for Health's staff hired after January 1, 2012 will be provided with training materials regarding accessibility standards as part of the initial orientation. Monitoring of this will be the responsibility of the direct supervisor.