This policy applies to all York Child Development & Family Services Inc. (YCD) staff, including but not limited to EarlyON Child and Family Centre, child care, management, administrative, Community Action Programs for Children (CAPC), part time, supply, volunteers, and students.

YCD is committed, to the extent possible, to creating an environment that is inclusive and barrier free for individuals, children and families and to meeting our obligation under Ontario’s Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act, 2005 (AODA), the Ontario Human Rights Code, and the Child Care and Early Years Act, 2014.
YCD will strive to make communication more accessible by considering the needs of people with disabilities during the planning stage of services.

YCD will communicate with an individual with a disability in a way that takes the person’s disability into account. YCD will consider how the disability affects the way that the person expresses, receives, or processes communications. Where possible, YCD will ask the person directly how to communicate with them.

YCD provides training to all new employees prior to their first day of work. The training pertains to the Accessibility Standards for Customer Service, Ontario Regulation 429/07.

YCD is committed, to the extent possible, to creating an environment that is inclusive and barrier free for individuals, children and families and to meeting our obligation under Ontario’s Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act, 2005 (AODA), the Ontario Human Rights Code, and the Child Care and Early Years Act, 2014.

Requests for accommodation will be considered on an individual basis and only for the purpose of facilitating access to a program or premises. Requests will be considered which meets the needs of the child or individual in an equitable and financially responsible manner up to the point of undue hardship for YCD. YCD reserves the right to determine the nature of the accommodation.

Assistive Devices

We will ensure that where appropriate our employees are trained and familiar with various assistive devices that may be used by a person with disabilities while accessing our services.

Individuals with disabilities may use their own personal assistive devices while accessing or using our programs or services on our premises. Where possible, we will work to remove any barriers and accommodate the use of assistive devices.

Communication

We will communicate with people in ways that take into account their disability.

Service Animals

We welcome people with disabilities and their service animals. Service animals are allowed on the parts of our premises that are open to the public. Some consultation may be required prior to access due to health concerns or where excluded by law.

Support Persons

A person with a disability who is accompanied by a support person will be allowed to have that person accompany them on our premises. Fees are not charged for support staff.

If the support person is to remain with a child in care, beyond visiting, the support person will be required to comply with YCD policies and procedures and to obtain the following documents prior to attending: a valid Police Vulnerable Sector Check (issued within the last 6 months), two step TB skin test, proof of rubella, valid tetanus vaccination (required every 10 years) and flu shot letter. This is in accordance with licensing requirements.

Notice of temporary disruption

In the event of a planned or unexpected disruption of service or access to our centre, the Supervisor or Manager of the Program will notify families promptly, by means that take into account their disability.

Notices will be conspicuously posted at the location. Verbal messaging may occur or communication by any other reasonable method.

Possible temporary disruptions may include power outage, flood, programs moved or cancelled due to weather or conditions outside of our control.

Training for Staff

YCD will provide training to all employees, students, and volunteers.

Training of new staff will take place within 3 months of joining YCD.

Training will include:

  • An overview of the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disability Act and the requirements of the customer service standard.
  • A review of YCD’s Customer Service Standard
  • Viewing a 30-minute training video (provided by York Region)
  • Duty to Accommodate / Human Rights Training

Topics will include:

  • 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 accommodate people with disabilities while on our premises (doorbells, keypads, information, resources, etc.)
  • What to do if a person with a disability is having difficulty in accessing YCD’s services

Individual Support Plans for Children

Where an Individual Support Plan (ISP) is in place for a child, the plan will include:

  • A description of how YCD will support the child to function and participate in a meaningful and purposeful manner while in our programs.
  • A description of any supports or aids, adaptations, or other modifications to the physical, social and/or learning environment is necessary.
  • Instructions relating to the child’s use of the support or aids and/or use of or interaction with the adapted or modified environment.
  • The ISP will be developed in consultation with the parent/guardian of the child and any regulated health professional or other person who works with the child in a capacity that would allow to help form the plan.
  • The ISP will form part of the child’s file and shared with individuals requiring the knowledge to interact with the child.

Our Responsibility to Families/Children

  • Respect the dignity of the parent/guardian by accepting a parent’s/guardian’s request for accommodation in good faith.
  • Advise parents/guardians of available accommodations, support, and resources available.
  • Ensure that the accommodation provided meets the specific circumstances while at the same time working to ensure general accessibility for all children in terms of spatial and physical requirements.
  • Ensure the necessary steps are taken to determine what modifications might be required for a child to participate fully in the program.
  • Be inclusive by ensuring that the parent/guardian is involved in the process.
  • Consult with appropriate specialists, obtain expert advice where needed.
  • Ensure the environment is welcoming and to take immediate action in the situation where bullying or harassment is/maybe taking place.

Parent’s/Guardian’s Responsibilities

  • Provide YCD with a written request providing sufficient information and restrictions that impact the child/individual, including all medical and/or other relevant information that pertains to the request.
  • Cooperate and be involved in the development and implementation of a reasonable accommodation plan based on current needs.
  • Provide YCD with updates regarding medication or abilities that may affect the accommodation plan.
  • Inform YCD of any issues or problems with the accommodation plan in writing.

Feedback Process

Families who wish to provide feedback on YCD Accessible Customer Service Standard can:

  • Contact our Executive Director, Joy Vance, at 905-830-1888
  • E-mail: jvance@yorkchild.ca
  • Write to us: York Child Development & Family Services Inc.

17310 Yonge Street, Unit 6, Newmarket, L3Y 7R8
Families can expect to hear back within 5 business days.

YCD policies respect and promote the dignity and independence of people with disabilities.