How do you know if your company is expected to comply with the customer service standard?

The Accessibility Standards for Customer Service applies to all people, businesses and organizations that provide goods or services either directly to the public or to other businesses or organizations. this includes public, non-profit and private sector organizations.

If you have 20 or more employees you must also:

1. Complete an online report on your compliance by reporting the deadline.
2. Document all policies and procedures on how you provide accessible costumer service and notify customers upon request 
3. when providing documents make sure the information is in a format that ino account the person's disability.

   How are you planning for compliance with the AODA Customer Service Standard?

These tips are adapted from the Accessibility Directorate of Ontario, the regulator of the AODA and all it's standards. Please refer to www.accesson.ca for more information.

 If you are interested in learning more about Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA) or how to make accessibility a natural part of your business through the application of Corporate Social Responsibility, please contact Sandra Broekhof @ 416-503-1035 or  sandra_broekhof@sympatico.ca 
or visit ww.accessibilitycompliance.ca

The AODA and Customer Service Standard talks about removing barriers to accessibility, what are some barriers to accessibility for people with disabilities?

We go to work. We go shopping. We take in a movie and grab a bite to eat afterwards. Most of us don't think twice about it. But that's not always the case for people with disabilities.People with disabilities often don't do many of the activities that most of us take for granted. It's not because they don't want to. It's because they can't. That's because barriers stop them.


Barriers are obstacles. Barriers make shopping, working, going to a movie or taking public transit difficult, sometimes impossible, for people with disabilities.

There are many kinds of barriers.


Architectural and physical barriers are features of buildings or spaces that cause problems for people with disabilities. Examples are:


* hallways and doorways that are too narrow for a person using a wheelchair, electric scooter or walker
* counters that are too high for a person of short stature
* poor lighting for people with low vision
* doorknobs that are difficult for people with arthritis to grasp
* parking spaces that are too narrow for a driver who uses a wheelchair
* telephones that are not equipped with telecommunications devices for people who are Deaf, deafened or hard of hearing

Information or communications barriers happen when a person can't easily understand information. Examples are:

* print is too small to read
* websites that can't be accessed by people who do are not able to use a mouse
* signs that are not clear or easily understood

Attitudinal barriers are those that discriminate against people with disabilities. Examples are:

* thinking that people with disabilities are inferior
* assuming that a person who has a speech impairment can't understand you

Technology barriers occur when a technology can't be modified to support various assistive devices. An example is:

* a website that doesn't support screen-reading software


Organizational barriers are an organization's policies, practices or procedures that discriminate against people with disabilities. An example is:

* a hiring process that is not open to people with disabilities

Have you experienced any barriers to accessibility? Do you create barriers? How can you remove barriers in your company while delivering your premium product and/or service?

These tips are adapted from the Accessibility Directorate of Ontario, the regulator of the AODA and all it's standards. Please refer to www.accesson.ca for more information.

If you are interested in learning more about Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA) or how to make accessibility a natural part of your business through the application of Corporate Social Responsibility, please contact Sandra Broekhof @ 416-503-1035 or sandra_broekhof@sympatico.ca or visit www.accessibilitycompliance.ca

How is accessibility in your community

Ontario needs to be more accessible to people with disabilities. it makes good sense - economically and socially. by working together - individuals, communities, organizations, businesses - we are making good progress towards our goal of an accessible Ontario by 2025.

Ontario's municipalities have a special role in making their communities accessible for people all accessibility. about 150 municipalities have set up local accessibility advisory communities. the accessibility advisory communities work with their local councils to identify and break down barriers for people with disabilities.

the goal of these communities is to make a real difference for people with disabilities in their communities. and you can give them more of a helping hand. please share some success stories and share best practices.

As time goes on, we'll post tools and resources to help them continue to promote accessibility at the local levels.


these tips are adapted form the  Accessibility Directorate of Ontario, the regulator of  the AODA and all it's standards. please refer to www.accesson.ca for more information.

 If you are interested in learning more about Accessibility Directorate of Ontario Act (AODA) or how make accessibility a natural part of your business through the application of Corporate Social Responsibility, please contact Sandra Broekhof@416-503-1035 or  sandrabroekhof@sympatico.ca or visit www.accessibilitycompliance.ca
 

How to Welcome Customers with Disabilities

With the implementation of the AODA and Customer Service Standard many are asking how to welcome customers with disabilities and increase profits. In order to make accessibility a natural part of your business, here are some things to consider as you welcome more customers with disabilities.

People with disabilities have dreams, hopes and goals. They have problems, challenges and needs. It is important to treat customers with disabilities with patience, understanding and courtesy.

Here are some general tips to help you welcome customer with disabilities in your establishment.

*Don't make assumptions about what type of disability or disabilities a person has.
*Some disabilities are not visible. Be patient. People with some kinds of disabilities may take a little longer to understand and respond.
*If you're not sure what to do, ask "Can I help?"
*If you can't understand what someone is saying, just politely ask again.
*Ask before you offer to help -- don't just jump in. People with disabilities know if they need help and how you can provide it.
*Find a good way to communicate. A good start is to listen carefully. Use plain language and speak in short sentences.
*Look at the person, but don't stare. Speak directly to a person with a disability, not to their interpreter or someone who is with them.
*Don't touch or address service animals -- they are working and have to pay attention at all times.
*Ask permission before touching a wheelchair or a piece of equipment.

What tips do you have to welcome customers with disabilities?

These tips are adapted from the Accessibility Directorate of Ontario, the regulator of the AODA and all it's standards. Please refer to www.accesson.ca for more information.

If you are interested in learning more about Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA) or how to make accessibility a natural part of your business through the application of Corporate Social Responsibility, please contact Sandra Broekhof @ 416-503-1035 or sandra_broekhof@sympatico.ca or visit www.accessibilitycompliance.ca