Web Accessibility Policy

Accessibility Commitment

The United Way of Haldimand & Norfolk is committed to making information on its website accessible to all and will endeavor to update and improve the website on an ongoing basis as a part of that commitment.

keyboard-handicap-signThe United Way strives at all times to provide goods and services in a way that respects the dignity and independence of persons with disabilities. We are also committed to ensuring that, persons with disabilities receive accessible goods and services of the same quality that others receive. The United Way is also committed to ensuring that, to the extent possible, accessible goods and services are delivered in a timely manner. This policy has been prepared to meet the compliance requirements of the AODA Customer Service Standard Policy and to articulate what people may expect from the United Way in regard to this standard. It reflects the values of the Mission of The United Way Centraide.

The United Way’s Accessible Service Provision Policy is intended to benefit the full range of persons with disabilities, as defined in the Ontario Human Rights Code. The United Way believes that whether a person’s disability is apparent or not, everyone should be treated with courtesy, made to feel welcome, and have their needs respected whenever they interact with a community service. This policy applies in conjunction with, and should be read together with other policies that effect the provision of goods and services by staff members, contractors, volunteers, and others who interact with individuals who wish to obtain, use, or benefit from the services provided by the United Way of Haldimand & Norfolk.

Assistive Devices

The United Way is committed to serving persons with disabilities who use assistive devices to obtain, use, or benefit from its goods and services. The United Way will ensure that employees know how to use assistive devices available in providing community services and inform individuals wishing to access United Ways services of the assistive devices that are available.

Use of service animals and support persons

Persons with disabilities may bring their service animal on the parts of United Way premises that are open to the public or other third parties 1 . The United Way will ensure that all employees, volunteers and third parties dealing with the public are trained in how to interact with persons with disabilities who are accompanied by a service animal.

On rare occasions, a service animal may not be permitted to enter an area of the premises consistent with other laws. In these instances, managers will suggest appropriate alternatives and provide assistance. Any person with a disability who is accompanied by a support person will be allowed to enter events open to the public or other third parties with his or her support person. At no time will a person with a disability who is accompanied by a support person be prevented from having access to his or her support person while on the United Way premises.

Communication

The United Way will communicate with persons with disabilities in ways that take into account their disability. This means employees will communicate in a means that enables persons with disabilities to communicate effectively for purposes of using, receiving, and requesting services and facilities. The United Way will train staff who communicate with individuals wishing to access community goods and services on how to interact and communicate with persons with various types of disabilities.

Feedback process

web-access-2The ultimate goal of this Policy is to meet goods and service delivery expectations while responding to the requests of individuals with disabilities. Comments on how well the United Way is meeting those expectations are welcome and appreciated.

Feedback about this Policy or its implementation can be submitted:

  • by email to : [email protected];
  • by telephone at (519)426-5660;
  • in person or by mail at 23 Argyle Street, Simcoe, ON, N3Y 4L5, Monday-Friday, 9:00-4:00 pm

web-accessibilityPrivacy will be respected and all feedback will be reviewed for possible action that can be taken to improve United Way services. Feedback received will be redirected to an appropriate contact person in the relevant unit of the organization, as appropriate. Where possible, complaints will be addressed immediately. However, some complaints may require more effort to address, and must be reviewed for action, possibly involving a number of elements within the United Way. Individuals offering feedback can expect acknowledgement of that feedback within a short time of its receipt. The acknowledgement will indicate how the matter will be addressed and when the individual will be notified of the outcome.

United Way will follow up on any actions arising from the feedback and the time frame for implementation will be provided as part of the notification of outcome. Feedback/response will be in a format that is accessible to the complainant.

Notice of temporary disruptions

The United Way will provide individuals wishing to access its goods and services with notice in the event of a planned or unexpected disruption in the facilities or services used by persons with disabilities. This notice will include information about the reason for the disruption, how long the disruption is expected to last, and a description of any alternative facilities or services available (where applicable). This notice will be provided in accessible formats.

Training

The United Way will provide training about the provision of accessible goods and services to faculty and staff members, contractors, volunteers, and others who interact with people who wish to obtain, use or benefit from goods and services provided by the United Way. Training will also be provided to every person involved in the development of policies, practices and procedures regarding the provision of goods and services. Training will occur on an ongoing basis and whenever changes are made to relevant policies, practices and procedures. Training will be provided to each person as soon as practicable after he or she is assigned applicable duties.