Accessible Customer Service Policy

Wenonah is committed to meeting its current and ongoing obligations under the Ontario Human Rights Code (OHRC) respecting non-discrimination.

Wenonah understands that obligations under the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act, 2005 (AODA) and its accessibility standards do not substitute or limit its obligations under the OHRC or obligations to people with disabilities under any other law.

Wenonah is committed to complying with both the OHRC and the AODA.

Wenonah is committed to excellence in serving all customers including people with disabilities.

Wenonah’s accessible customer service policies are consistent with the principles of independence, dignity, integration, and equality of opportunity for people with disabilities.

Personal Assistive Devices

People with disabilities may use their personal assistive devices when accessing goods, services or facilities.

In cases where the assistive device presents a significant and unavoidable health or safety concern or may not be permitted for other reasons, Wenonah uses other measures to ensure the person with a disability can access goods, services or facilities.

Wenonah ensures that staff are trained and familiar with various assistive devices that customers or staff with disabilities may use.

Communication with People with Disabilities

Wenonah communicates with people with disabilities in ways that take into account their disability. Wenonah works with the person with a disability to determine what method of communication works for them.

Service Animals

Wenonah welcomes people with disabilities and their service animals. Service animals are allowed on the parts of our premises that are open to the public. When staff cannot easily identify that an animal is a service animal, they may ask a person to provide documentation from a regulated health professional that confirms the person needs the service animal for reasons relating to their disability. A service animal can be easily identified through visual indicators, such as when it wears a harness or a vest, or when it helps the person perform certain tasks. If service animals are prohibited by another law, staff do the following to ensure people with disabilities can access our goods, services, or facilities:

  • Explain why the animal is excluded
  • Discuss with the customer another way of providing goods, services or facilities

Support Persons

A person with a disability who is accompanied by a support person is allowed to have that person accompany them. Fee/fare is not charged for support persons. Wenonah notifies customers of this by including this information in materials such as newsletters and social media. In certain cases, Wenonah might require a person with a disability to be accompanied by a support person for the health or safety reasons of the person with a disability or others on the premises. Before deciding, Wenonah:

  • Consults with the person with a disability to understand their needs
  • Considers health or safety reasons based on available evidence
  • Determines if there is no other reasonable way to protect the health or safety of the person or others on the premises

If Wenonah determines that a support person is required, staff waive the admission fee or fare for the support person.

Disruptions to Services

In the event of a planned or unexpected disruption to services or facilities for customers with disabilities, Wenonah notifies customers promptly. This clearly posted notice includes information about the reason for the disruption, its anticipated length of time, and a description of alternative facilities or services, if available.

Accessible Customer Service Training

Wenonah provides accessible customer service training to:

  • All employees and volunteers
  • Anyone involved in developing our policies
  • Anyone who provides goods, services, or facilities to customers

Wenonah trains staff on accessible customer service within ten days of the beginning of the employment period. Training includes:

  • Purpose of the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act, 2005 and the requirements of the customer service standard
  • Wenonah’s policies 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 goods, services, or facilities to people with disabilities
  • What to do if a person with a disability is having difficulty in accessing Wenonah’s goods, services, or facilities

Wenonah also trains staff when we make changes to our accessible customer service policies.

Feedback Process

Wenonah welcomes feedback on accessible customer service. Customer feedback helps Wenonah identify barriers and respond to concerns. Wenonah notifies people how to provide feedback through end-of-season email communications to families and Wenonah Outdoors groups. Customers who wish to provide feedback on the way Wenonah provides goods, services or facilities to people with disabilities can do so through info@campwenonah.com. Feedback is directed to the Owner/Founder who responds within seven days. Wenonah ensures the feedback process is accessible to people with disabilities by providing or arranging for accessible formats and communication supports, on request.

Availability of Documents

Wenonah notifies the public that documents related to accessible customer service are available upon request through information for camper families, newsletter, and website. Wenonah provides this document in an accessible format or with communication support, on request. Staff consult with the person making the request to determine the suitability of the format or communication support. Wenonah provides the accessible format in a timely manner at no additional cost.

Failure to Comply

Failure of staff to abide with and uphold this policy may be grounds for consequences as outlined in the Code of Conduct.

Date of approval: June 14, 2019

Most recent review: May 21, 2024

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