Accessibility Policy
Providing goods, services or facilities to people with disabilities
Monteith Ritsma Phillips Professional Corporation is committed to meeting its current and ongoing obligations under the Ontario Human Rights Code respecting non-discrimination.
Monteith Ritsma Phillips Professional Corporation understands that obligations under the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act, 2005 (AODA) and its accessibility standards do not substitute or limit its obligations under the Ontario Human Rights Code or obligations to people with disabilities under any other law.
Monteith Ritsma Phillips Professional Corporation is committed to complying with both the Ontario Human Rights Code and the AODA.
Monteith Ritsma Phillips Professional Corporation is committed to excellence in serving all customers including people with disabilities.
Our accessible customer service policies are consistent with the principles of independence, dignity, integration and equality of opportunity for people with disabilities.
Assistive devices
People with disabilities may use their personal assistive devices when accessing our goods, services or facilities.
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 goods, services or facilities.
We will 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 goods, services or facilities.
Communication
We will communicate with people with disabilities in ways that take into account their disability. This may include the following:
Email Communications
Face to Face Communications
Telephone Communications
Electronic Communications
We will work with the person with a disability to determine what method of communication works for them.
Service animals
We welcome people with disabilities and their service animals. Service animals are allowed on the parts of our premises that are open to the public.
When we cannot easily identify that an animal is a service animal, our staff may ask a person to provide documentation (template, letter or form) from a regulated health professional that confirms the person needs the service animal for reasons relating to their disability.
A service animal can be easily identified through visual indicators, such as when it wears a harness or a vest, or when it helps the person perform certain tasks.
A regulated health professional is defined as a member of one of the following colleges:
College of Audiologists and Speech-Language Pathologists of Ontario
College of Chiropractors of Ontario
College of Nurses of Ontario
College of Occupational Therapists of Ontario
College of Optometrists of Ontario
College of Physicians and Surgeons of Ontario
College of Physiotherapists of Ontario
College of Psychologists of Ontario
College of Registered Psychotherapists and Registered Mental Health Therapists of Ontario
If service animals are prohibited by another law, we will do the following to ensure people with disabilities can access our goods, services or facilities:
explain why the animal is excluded
discuss with the customer another way of providing goods, services or facilities
Support persons
A person with a disability who is accompanied by a support person will be allowed to have that person accompany them on our premises.
In certain cases, Monteith Ritsma Phillips Professional Corporation might require a person with a disability to be accompanied by a support person for the health or safety reasons of:
the person with a disability
others on the premises
Before making a decision, [organization name] will:
consult with the person with a disability to understand their needs
consider health or safety reasons based on available evidence
determine if there is no other reasonable way to protect the health or safety of the person or others on the premises
Notice of temporary disruption
In the event of a planned or unexpected disruption to services or facilities for customers with disabilities Monteith Ritsma Phillips Professional Corporation will notify customers promptly. This clearly posted notice will include information about the reason for the disruption, its anticipated length of time, and a description of alternative facilities or services, if available.
Training
Monteith Ritsma Phillips Professional Corporation will provide accessible customer service training to:
all employees and volunteers
anyone involved in developing our policies
anyone who provides goods, services or facilities to customers on our behalf.
Staff will be trained on accessible customer service within 30 days after being hired.
Training will include:
purpose of the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act, 2005 and the requirements of the customer service standard
Monteith Ritsma Phillips Professional Corporation's policies related to the customer service standard
how to interact and communicate with people with various types of disabilities
how to interact with people with disabilities who use an assistive device or require the assistance of a service animal or a support person
how to use the equipment or devices available on-site or otherwise that may help with providing goods, services or facilities to people with disabilities.
what to do if a person with a disability is having difficulty in accessing Monteith Ritsma Phillips Professional Corporation’s goods, services or facilities
Staff will also be trained when changes are made to our accessible customer service policies.
Availability of Policy
Monteith Ritsma Phillips Professional Corporation will provide this document in an accessible format or with communication support, on request.
We will consult with the person making the request to determine the suitability of the format or communication support. We will provide the accessible format in a timely manner and, at no additional cost.
Modifications to this or other policies
Any policies of Monteith Ritsma Phillips Professional Corporation that do not respect and promote the principles of dignity, independence, integration and equal opportunity for people with disabilities will be modified or removed.
Feedback process
Monteith Ritsma Phillips Professional Corporation welcomes feedback on how we provide accessible customer service. Customer feedback will help us identify barriers and respond to concerns.
Feedback can be left by:
Feedback can be directed to our Manager of Operations
Address: 6 Wellington Street, P.O. Box 846, Stratford, ON, N5A 6W3