Accessibility Policy
Effect Hope’s (The Leprosy Mission Canada) Statement on Accessibility
effect:hope is committed to providing equal opportunity to actual and potential supporters, including those with any type of disability to support effect:hope in the manner and to the extent that they are able.
Our goal is to ensure that the Policy and related practices and procedures are consistent with the following four core principles:
- Dignity- Persons with a disability must be treated as valued donors who are as deserving of an equal opportunity to donate or support.
- Equality of Opportunity- Persons with a disability should be given an opportunity equal to that given to others to donate or support effect:hope.
- Integration- Where possible, persons with a disability should be provided the opportunity to donate or support in the same or similar manner as any other supporter.
- Independence- Opportunities to donate or support should be provided in a way that respects the independence of persons with a disability. To this end, we will always be willing to assist a person with a disability but will not do so without the express permission of the person.
Very rarely do donors access our premises. However, to ensure access on-site at our Head Office, we have developed key policy statements with respect to Service Animals, Support Persons and Assistive Devices.
Service Animals
Any supporter that requires a service animal will be allowed to have the service animal accompany him/her to any area within effect:hope that supporters are permitted to access.
If we become aware that the presence of any service animal adversely affects the health of any employee, every reasonable effort will be made to ensure that both the health and safety rights of the employee and the accessibility rights of the supporter are met. If no solution can be reached to meet both goals, the health and safety of the employee will take priority and we will find an alternate meeting place.
Support Persons
Any supporter that requires a support person will be allowed to have the support person accompany him/her to any area within effect:hope that supporters are permitted to access.
Assistive Devices
Supporters with a disability are permitted, where possible, to use their own assistive device when on our premises. Examples of an assistive device include a walking cane or hearing aid.
Policy Implementation
Employee Training
All staff that interact with actual or potential supporters have been trained in this policy, as well as in ways to appropriately communicate with persons with disabilities. The training is part of the new hire orientation for those staff hired into Development or Donor Relations roles.
Continuous Improvement
The initiatives in place reflect the requirements of the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disability Act as well as a company specific needs assessment that was conducted by an Independent Human Resource firm. We recognize that we cannot anticipate, and thus remove, all barriers.
effect:hope has implemented a process by which individuals can provide feedback specific to any experience related to accessing donor opportunities. Employees who interact with donors are familiar with the process. All complaints will be responded to within five business days with either (a) a resolution or (b) an update as to the steps that have been taken and/or will be taken, along with a timeframe in which further communication from us can be expected. A record of all feedback will be retained by the Director of Operations who will recommend continuous improvement initiatives on an ongoing basis.
This policy, including the training and feedback process, will be reviewed annually.
This policy will be provided to any member of the public upon request.
effect:hope reserves the right to change its accessibility policy without notice to the individual user or donor.
All questions regarding this Accessibility Policy should be directed to:
Attention: Accessibility
effect:hope
90 Allstate Parkway, Suite 200
Markham, Ontario
L3R 6H3
1-888-LEPROSY (537 7679)