Accessibility Policy
Piccolo Heath LLP ("PH” or the “Firm”) is committed to meeting its current and ongoing obligations under the Ontario Human Rights Code (the “Code”) and the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act, 2005 (the "AODA") regarding non-discrimination and accessibility. In addition, PH is committed to serving all of its clients, including those with disabilities, in accordance with the principles of independence, dignity, integration and equality of opportunity.
The objective of this policy is to set out guidelines and standards designed to maximize accessibility for individuals with disabilities. PH understands that obligations under the AODA and this accessibility policy do not substitute or limit its obligations to people with disabilities under the Code or any other related legislation. In the circumstances, if there is any conflict between the terms of this policy and the provisions of any legislation, the legislative provisions shall apply.
Providing Services
The Firm will use reasonable efforts to ensure that the provision of its services, as well as the use of its facilities, is consistent with the following principles:
The services are provided in a manner that respects the dignity and independence of persons with disabilities.
The provision of services to persons with disabilities are integrated with the provision of services to others, unless an alternative measure is necessary, whether temporarily or on a permanent basis, to enable a person with a disability to obtain, use or benefit from the services.
Persons with disabilities are given an opportunity equal to that given to others to obtain, use and benefit from the services.
When communicating with a person with a disability, employees, agents and representatives of PH will do so in a manner that takes into account the person’s disability, including by using accessible formats or communication supports where requested. In addition, employees, agents and representatives of PH will work with the person to determine what method of communication works best for them.
Assistive Devices, Service Animals & Support Persons
Assistive Devices
People with disabilities may use their personal assistive devices when accessing the services or the Firm’s facilities. In cases where an assistive device presents a significant and unavoidable health or safety concern, or may not be permitted for other reasons, other measures will be used to ensure the person with a disability can access services or facilities of PH.
Service Animals
PH welcomes the service animals of people with disabilities, provided that such service animals are always in the care and control of the person. Examples of service animals include guide dogs or service dogs designed to assist people with anxiety issues.
A service animal will generally be identified through visual indicators, such as when it wears a harness or a vest, or when it helps the person perform certain tasks. When a representative of PH cannot easily identify that an animal is a service animal, they may ask a person to provide documentation (template, letter or form) from a regulated health professional that confirms the person needs the service animal for reasons relating to their disability.
SUPPORT PERSONS
The Firm welcomes the support persons of people with disabilities. A support person is someone who accompanies a person with a disability in order to help with communication, mobility, personal care or medical needs or with access to services or facilities.
In certain cases, PH might require a person with a disability to be accompanied by a support person for the health or safety reasons of: (i) the person with a disability; or (ii) others on the premises. Before making a decision, PH will:
consult with the person with a disability to understand their needs;
consider health or safety reasons based on available evidence; and
determine if there is no other reasonable way to protect the health or safety of the person or others on the premises.
Notice of Temporary Disruption
In the event of a planned or unexpected disruption to services or facilities for people with disabilities, PH will take reasonable efforts to notify such people promptly. Any posted notices will include information about the reason for the disruption, its anticipated length of time, and a description of alternative facilities or services, if available.
Training
The Firm will provide accessibility training to its employees, agents and representatives, as well as any person who participates in developing its accessibility policies. Such training will take place as soon as practicable after hiring or engagement.
Accessibility training will include information and instruction on the following:
The purpose of the AODA and the requirements of the customer service standard;
The expectations and policies of PH related to the customer service standard;
How to interact and communicate with people with various types of disabilities;
How to interact with people with disabilities who use an assistive device or require the assistance of a service animal or a support person;
How to use the equipment or devices available on-site or otherwise that may help with providing services to people with disabilities; and
What to do if a person with a disability is having difficulty in accessing the services or facilities of PH.
Training will also take place when changes are made to the terms of this accessibility policy.
Feedback Process
The Firm welcomes all feedback, questions and concerns regarding its accessibility standards and practices. PH will make sure its feedback process is accessible to people with disabilities by providing or arranging for accessible formats and communication supports, on request.
Those who wish to provide feedback on the way PH provides goods, services or facilities to people with disabilities should direct their correspondence to info@piccoloheath.com.
PH will strive to handle all feedback, including complaints and concerns, in a reasonably prompt, honest and respectful manner.