Monday, December 8, 2014

Accessibility report on the customer service standard

Within in the disability community, there is a large discussion around how many organizations are not in compliance with the AODA customer service standard.  I thought I would review each of the questions to help you ensure you are in compliance.  Here is the beginning.  Please let me know how far in compliance you are.

Question four:   Does your organization permit people with disabilities to keep their service animals with them on the parts of your premises that are open to the public or other third parties, except where the animal is excluded by law, and is this included in our policies, practices and procedures?

b) Is a service animal is excluded by law from your premises, does your organization ensure that alternate measures are available to enable the person to access your goods or service?

What does it look like for you to check yes to this question??

This question ensures that when the need arises there are policies, practices and procedures in place that provide anecdotal evidence that animals are permitted.  It is important that guide dogs and other service animals are allowed to accompany people with disabilities on parts of your premises that are open to the public, except where excluded by law.  If guides dogs or others service animals are excluded by law, an alternate way is provided for people with disabilities to access your goods or services.

As well as policies, practices and procedures in place there needs to be anecdotal evidence that animals are permitted.  It is also important that there are no complaints to the contrary.  There also needs to be a list of areas within your organization that animals are excluded by law AND alternate methods for providing goods and services can be described, based on actual practice.

Is there anything else that could be done to ensure that a company can check YES to this fourth question. 

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 @ 416-579-1035 or sandra_broekhof@sympatico.ca or visit www.accessibilitycompliance.ca


No comments:

Post a Comment