Principles of the Accessibility for Ontarians for Disabilities Act

The Standards of the AODA and the Accessibility for Ontarians for Disabilities Act talk about principles of Accessibilities.  These principles are important for people with disabilities as they help achieve accessibility.  These principles as they move to practices that help with full inclusion.  These principles include dignity, independence, integration and equal opportunity.  We must start to discuss the meaning and practice of each principle to help form the practices of a barrier free Ontario. Organizations must create policies, practices and procedures that are guided by the principles. 

What does the principle of dignity mean?

Policies, procedures and practices that respect the dignity of a person with a disability are those that treat them as customers and clients who are as valued and as deserving of effective and full service as any other customer. They do not treat people with disabilities as an afterthought or force them to accept lesser service, quality or convenience. Service delivery needs to take into account how people with disabilities can effectively access and use services and show respect for these methods. By respecting the idea of dignity, the person with a disability is not being interfered. 

Can you share any examples of how a good or service is designed to respect the principle of dignity for people with disabilities?

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

Barriers to Accessibility

The Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act states that by 2025, Ontario will be barrier free and completely accessible.  What does barriers mean?  In terms of accessibility, barriers are obstacles. A barrier is anything that keeps someone with a disability from fully participating in all aspects of society because of their disability. Barriers to accessibility are obstacles that make it difficult — sometimes impossible — for people with disabilities to do the things most of us take for granted — things like going shopping, working, or taking public transit.

When we think of barriers to accessibility, most of us think of physical barriers — like a person who uses a wheelchair not being able to enter a public building because there is no ramp. This is a visible barrier.  The following are other visible barriers:

There are architectural barriers.  These result from not designing a building to allow access for all people. 

Information and communication barriers make difficult for people to receive or convey information.  This means that printed materials and the use of language need to be clear and easy to understand.

Technology barriers are those that prevent people from accessing information.  This means that computers and any other technology have to be designed and set up with accessibility in mind. 

The fact is there are many kinds of barriers. Some are visible. Many are invisible.  When you think about accessibility, it is important to be aware of both visible and invisible barriers.

Attitudinal barriers are the most difficult barrier to overcome.  Some people don’t know how to communicate with others with visible and invisible disabilities.  This means that based on an attitude, someone may offend people with disabilities by making assumptions.  This means that people with disabilities are not included. 

Systemic barriers can result from an organization’s policies, practices and procedures if they restrict people with disabilities, often unintentionally, from being included in a service.

What are some barriers that are present for customers with disabilities?  How can these barriers to be removed? 

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

Communicating with Customers with Disabilities

The Accessibility Standard for Customer Service Standard states that all business must communicate with persons with disabilities in a manner that takes into account the person’s disability. Let’s discuss how take into account a person who are deaf-blind.

An person who is deaf-blind has a combined loss of vision and hearing. This makes it difficult for people to access information. Most people who are deaf-blind are accompanied by an intervenor, a professional who helps with communicating.

Here are some tips on how to interact with people who are deaf-blind:

* Don't assume what a person can or cannot do.

* A person who is deaf-blind will probably give you a card or a note explaining how to communicate with them.

* Speak directly to the person as you normally would, not to the intervenor.

* Don't touch or address service animals — they are working and have to pay attention at all times.

* Never touch a person who is deaf-blind suddenly or without permission unless it's an emergency.

What else can you do to help a customer with who is deaf-blind feel more welcomed and served?

Do you know someone who is deaf blind??

 How can this help you when communicating with them?

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

Communicating with Customers with Disabilities

The Accessibility Standard for Customer Service Standard states that all business must communicate with persons with disabilities in a manner that takes into account the person’s disability. Let’s discuss how take into account a person with a Learning Disability.

Learning disabilities are information processing disorders. They can affect how a person acquires, organizes, expresses, retains, understands or uses verbal or non-verbal information. You may not know that a person has a learning disability unless you are told. People with learning difficulties may have problems communicating because they have problems, reading, in mathematics or with writing.
Here are some tips on how to interact with people with a learning disability.

* Patience and a willingness to find a way to communicate are your best tools.

* Speak normally and clearly, and directly to the person.


* Take some time — people with some kinds of learning disabilities may take a little longer to understand and
 respond.

* Try to find ways to provide information in a way that works best for them.

* Be courteous and patient. The person will let you know how to best provide service in a way that works for them.
What else can you do to help a customer with a learning disability feel more welcomed and served?
 Do you know someone with a learning disability??
How can this help you when communicating with them?

 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