This policy is intended to meet the requirements of O. Reg. 191/11: INTEGRATED ACCESSIBILITY STANDARDS under Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act, 2005, S.O. 2005, c. 11, and applies to the provision of goods and services to the public or other third parties.
Scope
- This policy applies to the provision of services in Ontario by the Railway Association of Canada.
- This policy applies to employees and contractors who interact with our members, clients and third parties whom act on behalf of the Railway Association of Canada.
Guiding Principles
The Provision of Services to Persons with Disabilities
The Railway Association of Canada will make every reasonable effort to ensure that its policies, practices and procedures are consistent with the principles of dignity, independence, integration and equal opportunity by:
- allowing persons with disabilities to operate at their own pace when receiving services. This is provided it does not present a safety risk;
- taking into consideration individual needs when providing services; and
- communicating in a manner that takes into account the person’s disability.
Assistive Devices
Persons with disabilities may use their own assistive devices as required when accessing goods or services provided by the Railway Association of Canada. In situations where an assistive device presents a safety concern or where accessibility may be a concern, other reasonable measures will be used to ensure the access of goods and services.
Communication
We will communicate with people with disabilities in ways that take into account their disability. We will work with the person with a disability to determine what method of communication works for them.
Guide Dogs and Service animals
A person with a disability that is accompanied by a guide dog or service animal will be allowed access to Railway Association of Canada’s office unless otherwise excluded by law.
Support Persons
If a person with a disability is accompanied by a support person, the Railway Association of Canada will ensure that both persons are allowed to enter the premises together and that the person with a disability is not prevented from having access to the support person.
Notice of Disruptions in Service
Service disruptions might occur due to reasons that may or may not be within the Railway Association of Canada’s control or knowledge. The Railway Association of Canada will make all reasonable efforts to provide advance notice to persons with a disability in the event of temporary disruption. The notice will include information on the reason for the disruption, its anticipated duration, and a description of alternative services, if applicable. In some situations where an unplanned temporary disruption has occurred, advance notice may not be possible.
Feedback process
Persons with disabilities who wish to provide feedback on the goods and services provided by the Railway Association of Canada are to email reception@railcan.ca or call 613-564-8591. All feedback should be directed to the Vice President. Persons that provide formal feedback can expect to hear back within 10 days, except in exceptional circumstances.
The Railway Association of Canada will arrange for Feedback to be provided in accessible formats and communication supports once made aware of a person’s accessibility needs due to disability, and will do so at a cost that is no more than the regular cost charged to other persons.
Training
Training will be provided to:
- all persons who are an employee of, or a volunteer with, the organization;
- all persons who participate in developing the organization’s policies; and
- all other persons who provide goods, services or facilities on behalf of the organization.
Training provisions:
As reflected in the INTEGRATED ACCESSIBILITY STANDARDS, regardless of the format, training will cover the following:
- A review of the purpose of the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act, 2005.
- Instructions on how to interact and communicate with people with various types of disabilities.
- Instructions on how to interact with people with disabilities who:
- use assistive devices;
- require the assistance of a guide dog or other service animal; or
- require the use of a support person.
- Instructions on what to do if a person with a disability is having difficulty.
This training will be provided as soon as practicable. Training will be provided to new employees and contractors who interact with our members, clients and third parties on behalf of the Railway Association of Canada. Revised training will be provided in the event of changes to legislation, procedures and or practices. A record of training will be kept in the employees’ personal file.
Notice of availability and format of documents
Information about this policy is available upon request and in a format that takes into account the persons’ disability. Notification will be given by posting the information in a conspicuous place in the Railway Association of Canada’s head office and on its website. This policy and its related procedures will be reviewed as required in the event of legislative changes.
ACCESSIBLE WORKPLACE
Ontario’s Accessible Employment Standard requires that employment practices are accessible to meet the needs of employees and job applicants with disabilities.
Guiding Principles
Hiring
The Railway Association of Canada will notify employees and the public that the organization will accommodate the needs of people with disabilities during the hiring process. This information will be disclosed in job postings. Job applicants selected for an interview and requesting assistance will be accommodated.
Workplace Information
The Railway Association of Canada will provide workplace information in an accessible format if requested by an employee. This includes any information employees need to perform their jobs; general information that is available to all employees at work and accessible emergency information as well as accommodation in an emergency.
Talent and Performance Management
During performance management or career development processes, the Railway Association of Canada will consider the needs of employees with disabilities. Examples of considerations include:
- making documents available in accessible formats
- providing feedback and coaching in a way that is accessible to them
- providing the accommodations they need to successfully learn new skills or take onmore responsibilities.Communication of Accessibility Policies
Employees will be made aware of the Railway Association of Canada’s policies to support people with disabilities as well as any changes to the accessibility policy.