Accessibility Policy - Ontario

1. Policy

This policy acknowledges the legislative requirement for, and the commitment by Project X Productions Inc. and its operating entities (“PXP” or the “Corporation”) to provide high quality goods and services that are accessible to all persons that we serve.

2. Purpose

This policy is intended principally to fulfill the requirements set out in Ontario Regulation 429/07 of the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act, 2005 (AODA), to establish a policy for the Corporation governing the provision of its goods and services to persons with disabilities.

This policy is drafted in accordance with the Accessibility Standards for Customer Service (Ontario Regulation 429/07) and addresses the following:

  1. The provision of goods and services to persons with disabilities;
  2. The use of assistive devices by persons with disabilities;
  3. The use of service animals by persons with disabilities;
  4. The use of support persons by persons with disabilities;
  5. Notice of temporary disruptions in services and facilities;
  6. Training;
  7. Client feedback regarding the provision of goods and services to persons with disabilities

3. Scope

3.1 This Policy shall apply to every person who deals with clients, third parties or others (“clients”) on behalf of the Corporation in whatever capacity.

3.2 This policy shall also apply to all persons who participate in the developing the Corporation’s policies, practices and procedures governing the provision of goods and services to members of the public or third parties.

4. Responsibility

4.1 Executive

  • Ensures that PXP and its entities implement and update this policy and related procedures as appropriate.

4.2 Senior Management and Managers

  • Ensure employees and any third parties who provide services to or conduct business on behalf of the Corporation are trained on accessible customer service following corporate standards.
  • Ensure that procedures under this policy are communicated to staff and are carried out consistently.
  • Ensure that feedback from clients regarding accessible customer service is addressed in accordance with the policy and related procedures.

4.3 Employees

  • Ensure that accessible customer service is provided to all clients in accordance with the policy and related procedures.

5. Definitions

5.1 "Assistive device" Is a technical aid, communication device or medical aid that is used to increase, maintain, or improve the functional abilities of people with disabilities, in seeing, hearing, speaking, mobility, walking, breathing, performing manual tasks, learning, working, or self-care.

5.2 "Disability" For the purposes of this policy “disability‟ is defined according to the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act 2005 as:

  1. 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 coordination, blindness or visual impediment, deafness or hearing impairment, muteness or speech impediment, or physical reliance on a guide dog or other animal or on a wheelchair or other remedial appliance or device,
  2. a condition of mental impairment or a developmental disability,
  3. a learning disability, or a dysfunction in one or more of the processes involved in understanding or using symbols or spoken language,
  4. a mental disorder, or
  5. an injury or disability for which benefits were claimed or received under the insurance plan established under the Workplace Safety and Insurance Act, 1997; (“handicap”)

5.3 "Service animal" An animal is a service animal for a person with a disability if,

  1. it is readily apparent that the animal is used by the person for reasons relating to his or her disability; or
  2. if the person provides a letter from a physician or nurse confirming that the person requires the animal for reasons relating to the disability. O. Reg. 429/07, s. 4 (9).

Service animals include, but are not limited to “guide dogs”: a guide dog as defined in section 1 of the Blind Persons’ Rights Act; (“chien-guide”) means a dog trained as a guide for a blind person and having the qualifications prescribed by the regulations under the Blind Persons‟ Rights Act. (“chien d‟aveugle”) R.S.O. 1990, c. B.7, s. 1 (1).

5.4 "Support person" Means, in relation to a person with a disability, another person who accompanies him or her in order to help with communication, mobility, personal care or medical needs or with access to goods or services. (“personne de soutien”) O. Reg. 429/07, s. 4 (8).

6. Governing Rules and Regulations

6.1 Providing goods and services to people with disabilities The Corporation will make reasonable efforts to:

  • Provide its goods and services in a way that respects the dignity and independence of people with disabilities.
  • Give people with disabilities the same opportunity to access our goods and services and allow them to benefit from the same services, in the same place and in a similar way as other clients.
  • Communicate in a manner that takes into account the person’s disability.

6.2 Assistive devices

Customer's own assistive device(s): A person with a disability may provide their own assistive device for the purpose of obtaining, using and benefiting from the Corporation’s goods and services unless otherwise prohibited by law (i.e.: health and safety reasons). In such situations PXP may offer a person with a disability other reasonable measures to assist him or her in obtaining, using and benefiting from the Corporation’s goods and services, where the Corporation has such other measures available.

Assistive devices provided by PXP: Where applicable, assistive devices owned and operated by the Corporation will be available to assist with serving the client’s needs and requirements while utilizing the goods and services offered by the Corporation.

6.3 Use of Service Animals

We are committed to welcoming people with disabilities who are accompanied by a service animal on the parts of our premises that are open to clients. If a guide dog or other service animal accompanies a visiting person with a disability, the Corporation shall ensure that the person is permitted to enter the premises with the animal and keep the animal with him or her.

Exceptions to the rule: Service animals will not be permitted if disallowed by law. If a service animal is excluded by law, the Corporation will ensure that alternate means are available to enable the person with a disability to obtain, use or benefit from the Corporation’s goods and services.

Recognizing a Service Animal: Where an animal is not a trained guide dog and it is not readily apparent that the animal is used by the client for reasons relating to his or her disability, the Corporation may request a letter from a physician or nurse confirming that the person requires the animal for reasons related to the disability.

The client may have an alternate form of verification that they prefer to offer; in such a situation the Corporation may also accept as confirmation a valid identification card signed by the Attorney General of Canada or a certificate of training from a recognized guide dog or service animal training school.

Care and Control of the Animal: A client with a disability who is accompanied by a service animal must maintain care and control of the animal at all times.

Allergies: If a client or staff member has a severe allergy to animals, which could result in health and safety concerns, the Corporation shall make reasonable efforts to meet the needs of all individuals.

6.4 Use of Support Persons

The Corporation is committed to welcoming people with disabilities who are accompanied by a support person. If a support person accompanies a visiting person with a disability, the Corporation shall ensure that both persons are entitled to enter the premises together and that the person with a disability is not prevented from having access to the support person while on the premises.

When a Support Person may be required: The Corporation may require a visiting person with a disability to be accompanied by a support person when on the premises, but only if a support person is necessary to protect the health or safety of the person with a disability or the health and safety of others on the premises.

6.5 Notice of Temporary Disruption

Temporary disruptions in the Corporation’s services and facilities may occur due to reasons that may or may not be within the Corporation’s control or knowledge. The Corporation will make reasonable efforts to provide prior notice of planned disruptions if possible, recognizing that in some circumstances such as in the situation of unplanned temporary disruptions, advance notice will not be possible.

Information to be included in notice: The Corporation will make reasonable efforts to provide notice of the disruption to the public, including:

  1. information about the reason for the disruption;
  2. its anticipated duration; and
  3. a description of alternative facilities or services, if any, that may be available.

6.6 Training for staff

Who must receive training? The Corporation will provide training to all employees, volunteers and others who deal with clients and all those who are involved in the development and approvals of customer service policies, practices and procedures.

Training will be provided via e-learning modules.

Training records: The Corporation shall keep records of the training provided under this section, including the dates on which the training is provided and the number of individuals to whom it is provided.

6.7 Feedback process

Comments on our services, regarding how well customer expectations are being met, are welcome and appreciated.

Feedback regarding the way the Corporation provides goods and services to people with disabilities can be made by a person with a disability in the manner deemed most convenient to them, such as in person, by telephone, in writing or by delivering an electronic text by email, or otherwise to info@projx.ca.

7. Administration

7.1 Questions about the policy or related procedures should be directed to info@projx.ca.