Statement of Commitment
Wabano Centre for Aboriginal Health is committed to providing services for people with disabilities in a way that respects rights to dignity, independence, and integration.
This commitment is consistent with Wabano’s mission to deliver services in a welcoming and supportive environment, applying core Indigenous values based on the Seven Sacred Teachings of Respect, Courage, Honesty, Love, Wisdom, Humility, and Truth.
Wabano will continue to establish policies, practices, and procedures which support the accessibility standards established under the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act, 2005 (AODA), as amended from time to time, on customer service, information and communication, employment, and the built environment.
Multi-Year Accessibility Plan
This plan is reviewed and updated at least once every five years. This plan is in effect from October 2023 to October 2028. Employees are provided with required training under the
Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act, 2005, as amended from time to time, and its associated regulations as soon as reasonable after hiring and when changes are made to the
Centre’s accessibility policies.
If you have any questions or concerns about this plan or its initiatives, or if you want to receive a copy of the plan in a different accessible format, please contact Human Resources at Jobs@Wabano.com or Info@Wabano.com.
Accessible Emergency Information
Wabano Centre for Aboriginal Health is committed to providing its clients with safety information that is prepared by the Centre in an accessible format, upon request.
Accessible Formats and Communication Supports
- The Centre follows these procedures to make sure all publicly available information is made
accessible upon request: - Wabano will respond to requests in a timely manner that considers the person making
the request’s accessibility needs due to disability. - Wabano will consult with the person making the request in determining the suitability
of an accessible format or communication support. - Wabano will have a process in place for persons with disabilities to be provided with
information and communication in an accessible format and provide such information
or explain, in writing, when an accessible format is not feasible and why. - Wabano will train staff who may receive requests for accessible information on how to
manage requests and obtain accessible formats. - Wabano will provide publicly available information at a cost that is no more than the
regular cost charged to other persons. - Wabano will notify the public about the availability of accessible formats and
communications supports. - Wabano welcomes people with disabilities who are accompanied by a service animal
on the parts of our premises open to the public. If a service animal is excluded by law
from the Aboriginal Health Centre premises, Wabano will ensure that alternative
means are available to enable the person with a disability to access our materials and
services.
Website
Wabano will take steps to ensure our website and new web content conform with WCAG 2.0,
Level A and Level AA. The Centre (and the third-party responsible for maintaining the website)
continuously assesses and evaluates all public web content for conformance with the
accessibility standards.
Employment
Wabano, in accordance with the employment standards under the Integrated Accessibility
Standards Regulation (IASR), will notify employees and the public that accommodations are
available for job applicants with disabilities. Applicants will be informed that these
accommodations are available, upon request, for the interview process. Where an
accommodation is requested, the Centre will consult with the applicant and provide or arrange
for suitable accommodations in a manner that considers the applicant’s accessibility needs due
to disability.
Successful applicants will be trained on and made aware of the Centre’s policies and supports
for accommodating people with disabilities.
Training
Wabano will provide training to all employees, volunteers, and others who deal with the public
on its behalf, and all those who are involved in the development and approval of client service
policies, practices, and procedures. Training will be provided as soon as the individual assumes
responsibilities related to the public and will include the following:
- The purposes of the AODA and the requirements of the Accessibility Standards for
Customer Service; - Information regarding Wabano’s policies, practices and procedures relating to the
Customer Service Standards; - How to interact and communicate with people with various types of disabilities;
- What to do if a person with a particular type of disability is having difficulty accessing
our services; - How to interact with people with disabilities who use an assistive device, service
animal, or support person; and - How to use the equipment or assistive devices that may be available at Wabano.
Staff will also be trained on an ongoing basis when changes are made to these policies,
procedures, and practices.
Service Disruptions
Wabano will make reasonable efforts to provide notice in the event of a planned or
unexpected disruption in the facilities or services where they have control over such facilities
or services. This notice will include information about the reasons for the disruption, its
anticipated duration, and a description of alternative facilities or services, if available. The
Centre will provide notice by posting information in visible places on our premises or on our
website, or by any other method that may be reasonable under the circumstances.
Design of Public Spaces Standards (Accessibility Standards for the Built Environment)
Wabano has completed the following initiatives to prevent and remove barriers and comply
with the requirements of the Integrated Accessibility Standards Regulation (IASR) under the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act, 2005:
- Built accessible washrooms on every floor (8 in total).
- Reserved an accessible parking spot in the parking lot.
- Built a ramp next to the accessible parking spot in the parking lot behind the 295 Montreal Road building.
- Installed an elevator access for clients and employees with disabilities.
- Redesigned the Clinic reception to accommodate clients using mobility aids and assistive devices, thus allowing them to move freely within the space.
- Installed a separate reception desk/service counter at the same level for someone using mobility aids and mobility assistive devices.
- Installed push-plate switches/automatic door activators at the ingress/egress doors.
- Installed push-plate switches/automatic door activators for all accessible washrooms.
- Built an emergency exit ramp for clients and employees using mobility aids
and assistive devices.
Apart from this, the Centre continues to evaluate and include initiatives in our planning process for new spaces to remove barriers for clients and employees.