INTRODUCTION:

Beta-Calco is committed to improving accessibility and ensuring that the following policies and practices are in place in Ontario, as required by the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act, 2005 (“AODA”). The organization is committed to ensuring accessible service is part of our overall values of providing excellent, reliable service and integrity and trust.  Although the AODA applies only within Ontario, Beta-Calco recognizes the value of eliminating barriers for persons with disabilities and will therefore generally apply the same policies and practices wherever Beta-Calco deems it reasonable to do so.

OBJECTIVE:

The Integrated Accessibility Standards, Regulation 191/11 ("IASR") under the AODA establishes standards to address barriers that persons with disabilities face in the areas of information and communications, employment and the design of public spaces. Beta-Calco’s goal is to comply with the requirements under the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act, 2005, and ensure the standards and laws under it are met so the accessibility needs of persons with disabilities can be addressed in a timely manner. 

DEFINITIONS:

Assistive Devices – Auxiliary aids such as communication aids, cognition aids, personal mobility aids and medical aids (e.g., canes, crutches, wheelchairs or hearing aids). 

Communication Supports – Supports facilitating effective communications, including captioning, alternative and augmentative communication supports, plain language and sign language. 

Disability – As per the Ontario Human Rights Code, means:
a) Any degree of physical disability, infirmity, malformation or disfigurement that is caused by bodily injury, birth defect or illness and, without limiting the generality of the foregoing, includes diabetes mellitus, epilepsy, a brain injury, any degree of paralysis, amputation, lack of physical coordination, blindness or visual impairment, deafness or hearing impairment, muteness or speech impediment, or physical reliance on a guide dog or other animal or on a wheelchair or other remedial appliance or device;
b) A condition of mental impairment or a developmental disability;
c) A learning disability, or a dysfunction in one or more of the processes involved in understanding or using symbols or spoken language;
d) A mental disorder; or
e) An injury or disability for which benefits were claimed or received under the insurance plan established under the Workplace Safety and Insurance Act. 

Persons with Disabilities – Individuals who have a disability as defined under the Ontario Human Rights Code (as above). 

Service Animals – Animals individually trained to do work or perform tasks for the benefit of a person with a disability. 

Support Persons – Any persons, whether a paid professional, volunteer, family member, or friend, who accompany an individual with a disability to help with communications, personal care or medical needs, or with access to services.

QUESTIONS CONCERNING THIS POLICY:  For more information about this policy, please contact info@betacalco.com

Please note : Standard and accessible formats of this document are available upon request.