Part A – Accessibility Plan
Part B – AODA Integrated Accessibility Standards
Part A – Good Samaritan Seniors Living Multi-Year Accessibility Plan – Integrated Accessibility Standards (“IAS”)
2023 – 2028
Good Samaritan Seniors Complex is committed to developing, implementing and maintaining policies aimed at meeting the accessibility needs of persons with disabilities in a timely manner. We continue to work towards improving accessibility for persons with disabilities.
The goal of the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act, 2005 (the “Act”) is to create a more accessible Ontario, by identifying, and to the extent possible, preventing, and eliminating barriers experienced by persons with disabilities. The Integrated Accessibility Standards(the “IAS”) is a regulation under the Act the purpose of which is to ensure accessibility for persons with disabilities in the areas of (i) Information and Communication, (ii) Employment, (iii) Transportation and (iv) Design of Public Spaces. The Accessibility Standards for Customer Service(“the Standard”) has been established under the Act to ensure services are, where at all possible, equally accessible to every member of the public.
| Compliance Deadline | Status | |
| General: Establishing Accessibility Policies | ||
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a) Develop, implement and maintain polices governing how Good Samaritan Seniors Complex achieves or will achieve accessibility through meeting the requirements of the IAS. b) Statement of organizational commitment to meeting the accessibility needs of persons with disabilities in a timely manner. c) Prepare one or more written documents describing the policies and make the policies publicly available and provide them in an accessible format upon request. |
January 1, 2014 | Completed |
| General: Accessibility Plans | ||
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a) Establish, implement, maintain and document a multi-year accessibility plan, which outlines Good Samaritan Seniors Complex’s strategy to prevent and remove barriers and meet requirements of IAS. b) Post the accessibility plan on the website, if any, and provide the plan in an accessible format upon request. c) Review and update the accessibility plan at least once every five years. |
January 1, 2014 | Completed |
| General: Self Service Kiosks | ||
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a) Have regard to the accessibility for persons with disabilities when designing, procuring or acquiring self-service kiosks. |
January 1, 2014 | Completed |
| Compliance Deadline | Status | |
| General: Training | ||
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a) Provide training on the requirements of the accessibility standards referred to in the IAS and the Human Rights Code as it pertains to persons with disabilities to:
b) The training required in subsection 1 is appropriate to the duties of employees, volunteers and other persons c) Training is done as soon as practicable d) Training is provided on changes to policies and on an ongoing basis e) Training records are maintained for all training, including the date of training and the number of individuals in attendance. |
January 1, 2015 | Completed |
| General: Compliance Reporting | ||
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a) Ensure Good Samaritan Seniors Complex files online compliance reports in accordance with the Schedule established under IAS. |
December 31, 2014 and every 3 years thereafter. | Completed and to be completed as required. |
| Compliance Deadline | Status | |
| Information and Communications Standards: Feedback | ||
| a) Ensure Good Samaritan Seniors Complex’s processes for receiving and responding to feedback are accessible to person with disabilities by providing or arranging for accessible formats and communication supports upon request.
b) Notify the public about the availability of accessible formats and communication supports. |
January 1, 2015 | Completed |
| Information and Communications Standards: Accessible Formats and Communication Supports | ||
| a) Upon request provide or arrange for accessible formats and communication supports for persons with disabilities.
b) Consult with the person making the request to determine the suitability of an accessible format or communication support. c) Notify the public about the availability of accessible formats and communicationsupports |
January 1, 2016 | Completed |
| Compliance Deadline | Status | |
| Information and Communications Standards: Emergency Procedure, Plan or Public Safety Information | ||
| a) Upon request provide in an accessible format or with appropriate communication supports, Good Samaritan Senior Complex’s emergency procedures, plans or public safety information that it makes available to the public. | January 1, 2012 | Completed |
| Information and Communications Standards: Accessible Websites and Web Content | ||
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a) Ensure the websites and web content conform with the World Wide Web Consortium Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) 2.0:
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January 1, 2014 (Level A) January 1, 2021 (Level AA) |
Completed |
| Employment Standards: Recruitment, General | ||
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a) Notify employees and the public about the availability of accommodations for applicants with disabilities in Good Samaritan Seniors Complex’s recruitment process.
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January 1, 2016 | Completed |
| Compliance Deadline | Status | |
| Employment Standards: Recruitment, Assessment or Selection Process | ||
| a) During recruitment process, notify job applicants, when they are individually selected to participate in an assessment or selection process that accommodations are available upon request in relation to the materials or processes to be used.
b) If the selected applicant requests accommodation, consult with the applicant and provide or arrange for the provision of a suitable accommodation in a manner that takes into account the applicant’s accessibility needs. |
January 1, 2016 | Completed |
| Employment Standards: Notice to Successful Applicants | ||
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a) When making offers of employment, notify the successful applicant of Good Samaritan Seniors Complex’s policies for accommodating employees with disabilities. |
January 1, 2016 |
Completed |
| Employment Standards: Informing Employees of Supports | ||
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a) Inform employees of Good Samaritan Seniors Complex’s policies used to support employees with disabilities. b) Provide the above information as soon as practicable after the employee begins employment. c) Provide updated information to employees whenever there is a material change to existing policies on the provision of job accommodations. |
January 1, 2016 | Completed |
| Compliance Deadline | Status | |
| Employment Standards: Accessible Formats and Communication Supports for Employees | ||
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a) Upon request, consult with an employee to provide or arrange for the provision of accessible formats and communication supports for information needed to perform employees job and information generally available to employees in the workplace |
January 1, 2016 | Completed |
| Employment Standards: Workplace Emergency Response Information | ||
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a) Provide individualized workplace emergency response information to employees who have a disability, if the disability is such that the individualized information is necessary and the employer is aware of the need for accommodation due to the employee’s disability. b) If the employee provides consent, provide the employee’s individualized workplace emergency response information to another person designated by the employer to provide assistance to the employee. c) Review the individualized workplace emergency response information when:
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January 1, 2012 |
Completed |
| Compliance Deadline | Status | |
| Employment Standards: Documented Individual Accommodation Plans | ||
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a) Develop and have in place a written process for the development of documented individual accommodation plans for employees with disabilities that includes all of the considerations set out in section 28(2) and (3) of the IAS. |
January 1, 2016 | Completed |
| Employment Standards: Return to Work Process | ||
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a) Develop and have a documented a return to work process employees who have been absent from work due to a disability and who require disability-related accommodations in order to return to work. b) Ensure the return to work process outlines Good Samaritan Seniors Complex will take to facilitate the employee’s return to work and that it uses documented individual accommodation plans, if any. |
January 1, 2016 |
Completed |
| Employment Standards: Performance Management | ||
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a) Take into account the accessibility needs of employees with disabilities, as well as individual accommodation plans, when applying performance management. |
January 1, 2016 | Completed |
| Compliance Deadline | Status | |
| Employment Standards: Career Development and Advancement | ||
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a) Take into account the accessibility needs of employees with disabilities as well as any individual accommodation plans, when providing opportunities for career development and advancement to employees with disabilities. |
January 1, 2016 | Completed |
| Employment Standards: Redeployment | ||
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a) Take into account the accessibility needs of employees with disabilities, as well as individual accommodation plans, when redeploying employees with disabilities. |
January 1, 2016 |
Completed |
| Design of Public Spaces Standards: Redeployment | ||
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a) Ensure that construction and/or redevelopment of public spaces covered by the IAS complies with applicable accessibility requirements. |
January 1, 2017 | Ongoing |
| Maintaining Areas | ||
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Procedures are in place for preventative and emergency maintenance of the accessible elements in public spaces, and for dealing with temporary disruptions when accessible elements are not in working order as outlines in s.80(44) of the IASR. |
January 1, 2016 | Completed |
Part B – AODA Integrated Accessibility Standards
POLICY
Good Samaritan Seniors Living is committed to providing a barrier-free environment for all stakeholders, including clients, employees, job applicants, suppliers, and any visitors who enter the premises, work for the company, access information provided by the company, or use the company’s goods and services.
The company works to identify and remove barriers and prevent new barriers for persons with disabilities as they relate to employment, receipt of goods and services, the built environment, and information and communications. The company acts so that dignity and inclusion can be experienced by all. This policy outlines the company’s strategy for identifying, removing, and preventing these barriers.
Good Samaritan Seniors’ Living is committed to developing, implementing and maintaining policies aimed at meeting the accessibility needs of persons with disabilities in a timely manner.
The purpose of this policy (the “Policy”) is to identify and document how Good Samaritan Seniors’ Living currently achieves accessibility by meeting the requirements of the IAS and how it will continue to work towards improving accessibility for persons with disabilities.
Unless otherwise limited herein, the Policy applies to all:
- employees and volunteers;
- persons who provide goods, services and/or facilities to residents, their families and friends, the public or other third parties on behalf of (Name of Residence); and
- persons responsible for the development of (Name of Residence)’s policies.
This Policy does not replace or affect existing legal obligations under the Human Rights Code R.S.O. 1990, c. H.19, as it may be amended from time to time, or any other applicable laws respecting the accommodation of persons with disabilities.
DEFINITIONS
Accessible formats: Include but are not limited to large print, recorded audio and electronic formats, and other formats usable by persons with disabilities.
Assistive device: Any medical device, mobility aid, communication aid, or other aid that is specially designed to assist a person with a disability with a need related to their disability.
Communication supports: may include, but are not limited to, captioning, alternative and augmentative communication supports, plain language, sign language and other supports that facilitate effective communications.
Constructive discrimination: Also referred to as adverse effect, is discrimination that unintentionally singles out a particular group, resulting in unequal treatment.
Conversion-ready: An electronic or digital format that facilitates conversion into an acceptable format.
Disability:
- 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,
- a condition of mental impairment or a developmental disability,
- a learning disability, or a dysfunction in one or more of the processes involved in understanding or using symbols or spoken language,
- a mental disorder, or
- an injury or disability for which benefits were claimed or received under the insurance plan established under the Workplace Safety and Insurance Act, 1997
Mobility aid: Any manual/electric wheelchair, scooter, boarding chair, walker, cane, crutch, prosthesis, or other aid that is specially designed to assist a person with a disability or need related to mobility.
Service animal: An animal that can be recognized by visual indicators such as a vest or harness that is being used by an individual with a disability for reasons relating to the person’s disability.
Support person: Another person who accompanies an individual with a disability in order to help with communication, mobility, personal care, medical needs, or access to goods and services.
IMPLEMENTATION
Responsibility for the implementation of the Policy is shared between [enter departments]. For more information please see (Name of Residence)’s Accessibility Plan available on the Company’s website.
GENERAL ACCESSIBILITY STANDARDS
- Accessibility Plan
Access to Goods and Services
Good Samaritan Seniors Living seeks to provide barrier-free access to the company’s goods and services for all customers. Where barriers cannot be removed, alternate means for accessing goods or services are provided to the best of the company’s ability.
Good Samaritan Seniors’ Living has established and implemented an Accessibility Plan, which outlines the Company’s strategy to prevent and remove barriers for persons with disabilities and meet the requirements of the IAS in accordance with the timelines set out therein.
Good Samaritan Seniors’ Living will maintain the Accessibility Plan in accordance with the requirements of the IAS. The Accessibility Plan will be reviewed and updated at least once every five (5) years.
The Accessibility Plan is posted on the website and will be made available in an Accessible Format upon request.
- Training
Good Samaritan Seniors’ Living will provide training to all existing employees, volunteers and all persons who participate in the development of AODA Policies.
Training will be provided on:
- the requirements of the IAS;
- the Human Rights Code as it pertains to persons with disabilities; and
- the AODA Policies as required by the IAS.
The content of the training will be applicable to the individual’s duties. Employees hired and volunteers accepted after the Compliance Deadline for Training will receive the required training as soon as practicable. (see AODA IASR Training Policy)
Good Samaritan Seniors’ Living will keep a record of the training provided, including the dates on which the training is provided and the number of individuals to whom it is provided.
Good Samaritan Seniors’ Living will ensure that contractors providing goods, services and/or facilities on the Company’s behalf have received the training required under the IAS.
- Assistive Devices
Persons with disabilities may use their personal assistive devices when accessing our site. In cases where the assistive device presents a significant and unavoidable health or safety concern or may not be permitted for other reasons, other measures will be used to ensure the person with a disability can access our site.
We ensure that our staff are trained and familiar with various assistive devices we have on site or that we provide that may be used by customers with disabilities while accessing our site.
- Communication
Good Samaritan Seniors Living understands the importance of accessible digital and non-digital forms of communication and does its best to provide accessible types of communication and information to all individuals with disabilities. Such accessible formats and communication supports are provided upon request, in a timely manner and at no additional cost.
- Support Persons and Service Animals
If a customer with a disability is accompanied by a support person, Good Samaritan Seniors Living ensures that both persons may enter the premises together and that the customer is not prevented from having access to the support person. A customer with a disability accompanied by a service animal may access premises that are open to the public unless otherwise excluded by law.
The company waives admission fees to support persons, or when not possible, ensures the customer is notified of admission costs in advance. The company attempts to accommodate the customer and support person to sit with one another. In situations where confidential information might be discussed, consent is obtained from the customer before any potentially confidential information is mentioned in front of the support person.
- Service Disruptions
Service disruptions may occur for reasons that may or may not be within the control or knowledge of Good Samaritan Seniors Living. In the event of any temporary disruptions to facilities or services that customers with disabilities rely on to access or use goods or services, reasonable efforts will be made to provide advance notice.
When disruptions occur, the company will:
- Post notices in the nearest accessible entrance to the service disruption;
- Update the company website with information about the disruption; and
- Contact customers with reservations or appointments by any method that may be reasonable under the circumstances.
The company makes every reasonable effort to indicate when services will resume and suggest alternatives that can be used during the disruption. In some circumstances, such as in the situation of unplanned temporary disruptions or emergencies, notice may not be possible.
INFORMATION AND COMMUNICATION STANDARDS
The Information and Communication Standards do not apply to:
- products and product labels;
- Unconvertible information or communications; and
- information that Good Samaritan Seniors’ Living does not control directly or indirectly through a contractual relationship.
Should Good Samaritan Seniors’ Living determine that information or a communication is Unconvertible it will explain why and provide the person making the request with a summary of the said information or communication.
- Feedback Procedures
Good Samaritan Seniors Living acknowledges that customer and employee feedback can lead to improved service, increased clientele, a reduction in complaints, improved working conditions, and an improved workplace culture,especially as it applies to accessibility.
The company ensures that feedback can be provided by persons with disabilities through various methods. Feedback forms, along with alternate accessible methods of providing feedback, are available upon request.
Individuals who provide formal feedback receive acknowledgement of their feedback, along with information regardingany resulting actions based on their submitted concerns or complaints.
Feedback can be submitted by mail, email, phone, fax, and/or in person via:
Deirdre Britton, RN Administrator / Director of Nursing
Good Samaritan Seniors’ Living
481 Victoria Street East
Alliston, ON L9R 1J8
P: (705) 435-5722 x1001
F: (705) 435-0235
Feedback can be provided anonymously if desired, and feedback remains confidential unless the person consents to the disclosure of their personal information. Feedback is received in whatever format the individual providing the feedback is most comfortable with. The personal information of anyone who provides feedback remains confidential in accordance with all applicable privacy laws.
Good Samaritan Seniors’ Living will ensure that its processes for receiving and responding to feedback are accessible to persons with disabilities by providing or arranging for the provision of Accessible Formats and Communications Supports, upon request.
Good Samaritan Seniors’ Living will notify the public that Accessible Formats and Communications Supports are available in respect of its feedback procedures.
- Accessible Formats & Communication Supports
Good Samaritan Seniors’ Living will, upon request, provide/arrange for the provision of Accessible Formats/Communication Supports in order to make its communications or information about the goods, services and/or facilities accessible to persons with disabilities.
Accessible Formats and Communication Supports will be provided in a timely manner and at a cost that is no more than the regular cost charged to other persons.
Good Samaritan Seniors’ Living will consult with the person making the request when determining the suitability of an Accessible Format or Communication Support and will notify the public of the availability of same.
- Self-service Kiosk
Good Samaritan Seniors’ Living will have regard to the accessibility for persons with disabilities when designing, procuring or acquiring Self-Service Kiosks.
- Emergency Plans, Procedures or Public Safety Information
Good Samaritan Seniors’ Living provides any emergency plans, procedures or public safety information that it makes available to the public in an Accessible Format or with appropriate Communication Supports, as soon as practicable, upon request.
Emergency Notifications
Good Samaritan Seniors Living provides emergency and public safety information, plans, procedures, maps and warning signs at evacuation points, and any other emergency alert information in accessible formats or with appropriate communication supports, upon request. Alarm systems are both auditory and visual.
The company will:
- Work with any individuals requesting information to best meet their needs;
- Ensure emergency information can be seen, read, and heard by anyone, including people with disabilities; and
- If a person with a disability requires assistance in an emergency, make sure an employee is available toassist.
- Accessible Websites and Web Content
Good Samaritan Seniors’ Living ensures that, where practicable, a New Internet Website and web content on such site(s) conforms with WCAG 2.0 Level A.
Final Website Compliance Deadline: January 1, 2021
By the Final Website Compliance Deadline Good Samaritan Seniors’ Living will ensure that, where practicable, any website or content on that site(s) published after January 1, 2012 conforms with WCAG 2.0 Level AA to the extent required by the IAS. When determining whether meeting the requirements of this section is practicable Good Samaritan Seniors’ Living will consider: I. the availability of commercial software or tools required to achieve web accessibility; and ii. the impact meeting the requirements of this section will have on projects planned before January 1, 2012.
The commitment to provide accessible websites and web content only applies to websites and web content that Good Samaritan Seniors’ Living controls directly or indirectly through a contractual relationship that allows for modification of the website or web content in question.
EMPLOYMENT STANDARDS
The Employment Standards only apply to employees of Good Samaritan Seniors’ Living. They do not apply to volunteers, other unpaid individuals or contractors.
- Recruitment/Selection/Assessment
Good Samaritan Seniors’ Living will notify the public and employees of the availability of accommodation for job applicants during the recruitment process.
Good Samaritan Seniors’ Living will further notify all job applicants who are individually selected to participate in an assessment or selection process that accommodation is available upon request if the applicant requires accommodation due to a disability.
If an applicant requests accommodation, Good Samaritan Seniors’ Living will consult with the applicant and provide or arrange for the provision of a suitable accommodation in a manner that takes into account the applicant’s accessibility needs.
Notice to Successful Applicants
Good Samaritan Seniors’ Living ensures that when making offers of employment, it notifies the successful applicant of its policies on accommodating employees with disabilities.
Informing Employees of Supports
Good Samaritan Seniors’ Living will inform its existing employees of its policies on supporting employees with disabilities, including, but not limited to, policies on the provision of job accommodations that take into account an employee’s accessibility needs due to disability.
Good Samaritan Seniors’ Living will provide employees with updated information whenever there is a material change to its policies on the provision of job accommodations for employees with disabilities.
All employees hired after January 1, 2016 are and will be notified of (Name of Residence)’s policies on supporting employees with disabilities as soon as practicable after commencing employment.
- Accessible Formats and Communication Supports for Employees
Good Samaritan Seniors’ Living will, upon the request of an employee with a disability, provide or arrange for the provision of Accessible Formats and Communication Supports in order to ensure that (i) information required by the employee to perform his/her job; and (ii) information generally available to employees in the workplace, is accessible to the employee with a disability.
Good Samaritan Seniors’ Living will consult with the employee making the request to determine the suitability of any Accessible Format or Communication Support. However, Good Samaritan Seniors’ Living reserves the right to determine the Accessible Format or Communication Support that will be provided in the circumstances.
- Workplace Emergency Response Information
If an employee has a disability and Good Samaritan Seniors’ Living is aware that, due to that disability, the employee requires an individualized workplace emergency response, information addressing such response will be provided to the employee as soon as practicable after Good Samaritan Seniors’ Living becomes aware of such requirement. In such a case, with the employee’s consent, the organization will designate a colleague(s) to provide such individualized assistance and will ensure that this colleague is provided with a copy of employee’s individualized emergency response information.
Good Samaritan Seniors’ Living will review the individualized workplace emergency response information when (i) the employee moves to a different work location; (ii) the employee’s overall accommodations need or plans are reviewed; and (iii) when Good Samaritan Seniors’ Living reviews its general emergency response policies.
- Documented Individual Accommodation Plans
Good Samaritan Seniors’ Living will have in place a written process for the development of documented individual accommodation plans for employees with disabilities. The process will include the following elements:
- The manner in which an employee requesting accommodation can participate in the development of the individual accommodation plan.
- The means by which the employee is assessed on an individual basis.
- The manner in which Good Samaritan Seniors’ Living can request an evaluation by an outside medical or other expert, at its own expense, to assist in determining if accommodation can be achieved and, if so, how accommodation can be achieved.
- The manner in which the employee can request the participation of a representative from his or her bargaining agent, where the employee is represented by a bargaining agent, or other representative from the workplace, where the employee is not represented by a bargaining agent, in the development of the accommodation plan.
- The steps Good Samaritan Seniors’ Living will take to protect the privacy of the employee’s personal information.
- The frequency with which the individual accommodation plan will be reviewed and updated and the manner in which it will be done.
- If an individual accommodation plan is denied, the manner in which the reasons for the denial will be provided to the employee.
- The means of providing the individual accommodation plan in a format that takes into account the employee’s accessibility needs due to disability.
Where requested, an employee’s individual accommodation plan will include any information regarding the provision of Accessible Formats and Communications Supports.
Where required, an employee’s individual accommodation plan will include individualized workplace emergency response information as described in section.
- Return to Work Process
Good Samaritan Seniors’ Living will document a return-to-work process for its employees who have been absent from work due to a disability and who require disability-related accommodations in order to return to work.
The return-to-work process will outline the steps Good Samaritan Seniors’ Living will take to facilitate the employee’s return to work and will use the documented individual accommodation plans described in section 0VI.
- Performance Management
Good Samaritan Seniors’ Living will take into account the accessibility needs of employees with disabilities, as well as individual accommodation plans, when applying its performance management process.
Where requested, an employee’s individual accommodation plan will include any information regarding the provision of Accessible Formats and Communications Supports.
An inclusive work environment is one where everyone is treated with respect and all employees are valued for their contributions. In an inclusive workplace, colleagues and clients are treated with dignity, respect, and equality, and these values are reflected in the organization’s mission and vision. Policies and procedures are implemented and managed so that employees’ rights are preserved.
- Career Development and Advancement
Good Samaritan Seniors’ Living will take into account the accessibility needs of its employees with disabilities as well as any individual accommodation plans, when providing opportunities for career development and advancement to its employees with disabilities.
- Redeployment
Good Samaritan Seniors’ Living will take into account the accessibility needs of its employees with disabilities, as well as individual accommodation plans, when redeploying employees with disabilities.
Building Accessibility: Design of Public Spaces
Good Samaritan Seniors Living works to ensure that the built environment, including building interiors and exteriors, isdesigned to facilitate barrier-free access to goods, services, and employment for customers and employees. If areas of the built environment are not accessible for certain individuals with disabilities, the company will work with the individual to provide an alternate means of access up to the point of undue hardship.
We will meet accessibility laws when building or making major changes to public spaces. Our public spaces include:
- Parking lots, Accessible parking
- Walkways, Entrances, Courtyards
- Bathrooms
- Service counters
- Interior hallways, Interior doors
- Automatic door openers
Policy Review and Posting:
This policy shall be reviewed at least every 5 years with our Multi-Year Plan process; additional reviews shall take place as needed with changes to identified needs, policy, and/or legislation.
Initial posting of this policy on its’ website occurred on April 22, 2024; anytime the policy is updated, the revised policy shall be posted on the website.
[Ref. A 2.7.1: Multi-Year Accessibility Plan – Integrated Accessibility Standards (“IAS”)
[Ref. A 2.7.2: Guidelines: Procedure for Creating Individual Accommodation Plans (“IAP”) and Return to Work Plans (“RWP”)
[Ref. A 2.7.3: The Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act Compliance Deadlines for Private Sector Organizations
[Ref. A 2.7.4: AODA Flow Chart]
[Ref: HR Toolkit Module 7 – Return to Work]
