Policies

Copyright

Ontario Public Health Association (OPHA) owns all rights to the content and works of this website (www.opha.on.ca) . You are free to download or make copies of OPHA materials for your own personal, informational and non-commercial and lawful use. However, credit must be given to OPHA for such use. You may link to our website, however OPHA does not allow content to reside on other websites.

Use of Our Logo

The Ontario Public Health Association does not permit the use of its logo in any material without expressed written consent. If you have any question about the use of this website, please contact us for more information at 416-367-3133 or admin@opha.on.ca.

Terms of Use and Privacy Policy

OPHA is committed to protecting your privacy whether you are browsing for information or conducting business with OPHA through electronic channels.  The handling of all personal information by OPHA is governed by the Federal Personal Information Protection and Electronic Documents Act (PIPEDA) and Ontario’s Freedom of information and Protection Privacy Act(FIPPA). When you visit our websites, we will not collect your personal information unless you choose to use and receive online products and services that require it.
 
Here is a copy of our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.

OPHA Accessibility Policy

The Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA) is a law that sets out a process for developing and enforcing accessibility standards.
Persons with disabilities and industry representatives work together with the government to develop the standards with the goal of an accessible Ontario by 2025.

Accessibility Standards

Accessibility standards are laws that government, businesses, non-profits and public-sector organizations must follow to become more accessible.
They help organizations identify and remove barriers to improve accessibility for people with disabilities in 5 areas of daily life:
 
Accessibility Standards for Customer Service, Ontario Regulation 429/07 (also known as the Accessible Customer Service Regulation) and the Integrated Accessibility Standards, Ontario Regulation 191/11 (IASR):
1)   Customer Service standard
2)   Information and Communication standard
3)   Employment Standard
4)   Transportation Standard
5)   Design of Public Spaces Standard

1. Customer Service Standards

OPHA is committed to ensuring that information and services are accessible to its members and the public.
This includes providing services and programs that people with disabilities can use and benefit from equally and in a manner, that respects their dignity and independence.

Summary of Customer Service Expectation

This is a summary of the accessible customer service you can expect to receive. Our guiding principles in setting up the policies will be:
Dignity – Provide service in a way that will provide self-respect and the respect of other people.
Independence – Permit inpidual to perform without unnecessary help or interference from others.
Integration – Provide similar service to all unless alternative means is necessary to access the goods, services or facilities.
Equal opportunity – Provide equal opportunity to access good, services or facilities.

a.   Information and Communication

When communicating or providing information or services to a person with a disability, we will do so in a manner that takes the person’s disability into account.

b.   Accessible Formats and Communications Supports

If a person with a disability needs an accessible format, or help to communicate with us, we will work with the person to provide the format or support that will meet their needs.
If we are not able to meet the person’s requirement in a reasonable timeframe, we will inform them and will work with them to determine an alternate method or will provide a summary of the information.

c.   Accessible Websites and Web Content

Our internet websites and web content, is committed to conform to the World Wide Web Consortium Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) 2.0, at Level AA.

d.   Assistive Devices

People with disabilities may use their own personal assistive devices.

e.   Service Animals

People with disabilities may use their service animal in all parts of our premises that are open to the public, unless the animal is excluded by law, such as in food preparation areas.
In this case, we will ensure that appropriate alternative arrangements are made to ensure that the person can access the service.

f.    Support Persons

People with disabilities can access their disability-related support person while using our services.
In situations where confidential matters will be discussed, the support person may be asked to sign a confidentiality agreement or the role of the support person may need to be agreed to in advance of the meeting.

g.   Fees

Where admission fees are charged for an event, support persons will not be charged.

h.   Availability of accessible Services

All Accessibility services may not be available in our facilities. We will inform our clients of the available accessible services or lack of.
Sometimes accessibility features or services may be temporarily not available due to repairs and maintenance.
When this happens, we will inform our customers of the reduced accessibility features and/or services that we can offer.

i.     Feedback Process

Feedback may be provided:
·         by telephone: 416-367-3313
·         in writing: OPHA, 44 Victoria St. Suite 502, Toronto ON M5C 1Y2
·         by email: Admin@opha.on.ca
If customers with disabilities would prefer to give their feedback, and receive a response to it, using an alternate method than the one offered, they may request it.

j.    Staff Training

Our employees and volunteers will be trained about providing accessible customer service and how to interact with people with various type of disabilities:
This include:

  • the purpose of the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act.
  • an overview of the requirements of the customer service standard.
  • the organization’s policy on providing accessible customer service
  • tips on how to interact with people with various types of disabilities:
  • tips on how to interact with people who use an assistive device or require the assistance of a service animal or support person.
  • information on how to use any equipment or devices available in the organization to help provide goods, services or facilities to people with disabilities (e.g., screen readers, lifts)
  • tips on what to do if a person with a disability is having difficulty accessing your organization’s goods, services or facilities
  • the Ontario Human Rights Code (where it relates to people with disabilities)

2. Information and Communication Standards

a.    Accessible formats and communication supports
OPHA will provide or arrange for the provision of accessible formats and communication supports for persons with disabilities in a timely manner. OPHA will take into account the person’s accessibility needs when customizing inpidual requests.
b.   Accessible website and web content
Web content conform to the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) 2.0 at a minimum of Level AA. Web content includes any information which resides on an internet or intranet web site.
 

3. Employment standards

OPHA welcomes and encourages applications from people with disabilities. Accommodations are available on request for candidates taking part in all aspects of the selection process:
 
1.   Job posting
2.   Job selection process
3.   Employment Offer
4.   Workplace information
5.   Information employees need to perform their jobs in an accessible format
6.   General information that is available to all employees at work in an accessible format
 

4. Transportation Standards

The transportation standards allow everyone to travel easier in Ontario.

5. Design of Public Space standards

The standards allow organizations to make new and redeveloped outdoor public spaces accessible.