Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA)
General Accessibility Policy
Multi-year Accessibility Plan
General accessibility policy
Providing Goods and Services to People with Disabilities under the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act
1. Our goal
At Breakthrough T1D, our goal is curing type 1 diabetes (T1D) while improving the lives of people living with this disease.
2. Our commitment
In fulfilling our goal, Breakthrough T1D strives at all times to ensure that our policies, practices and procedures are consistent with the principles outlined in the Accessibility Standards for Customer Service under the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act, 2005, by providing our goods and services in a manner that respects the dignity and independence of people with disabilities. We are also committed to giving people with disabilities the same opportunity to access our goods and services and allowing them to benefit from the same services, in the same place and in a similar way as other Constituents.
3. Providing goods and service to people with disabilities
Breakthrough T1D is committed to excellence in serving all Constituents including people with disabilities and we will carry out our functions and responsibilities in the following areas:
3.1 Communication
Breakthrough T1D will communicate with people with disabilities in ways that take into account their disability. We will communicate with members of the public in person, in writing, by e-mail and by telephone.
Breakthrough T1D will train staff and volunteers who communicate with Constituents on how to interact and communicate with people with various types of disabilities.
3.2 Telephone services
Breakthrough T1D is committed to providing fully accessible telephone service to our Constituents. We will train staff to communicate with Constituents over the telephone in clear and plain language and to speak clearly and slowly.
Breakthrough T1D will offer to communicate with Constituents by email or in person (on Breakthrough T1D premises) if telephone communication is not suitable to their communication needs or is not available.
3.3 Assistive devices
Breakthrough T1D is committed to serving people with disabilities who use assistive devices to access our programs and services. People with disabilities are welcome to bring and use their own personal assistive devices and/or use available Breakthrough T1D assistive devices where available. Breakthrough T1D staff will be trained on any assistive devices available on our premises.
3.4 Receipting
Breakthrough T1D is committed to providing accessible receipts to all of our Constituents. For this reason, receipts will be provided in the following formats upon request: large print and email. Breakthrough T1D will answer any questions Constituents may have about the content of the receipt in person, by telephone or email.
4. Use of service animals and support persons
Breakthrough T1D is committed to welcoming people with disabilities who are accompanied by a service animal on the parts of our premises that are open to the public and other third parties. Breakthrough T1D will also ensure that all staff and volunteers who deal with the public are properly trained in how to interact with people with disabilities who are accompanied by a service animal.
Breakthrough T1D is committed to welcoming people with disabilities who are accompanied by a support person. Any person with a disability who is accompanied by a support person will be allowed to enter Breakthrough T1D’s premises with his or her support person. At no time will this person be prevented from having access to his or her support person while on our premises.
Support persons accompanying or assisting individuals with disabilities may be subject to applicable Breakthrough T1D policies (e.g., conflict of interest, confidentiality).
5. Notice of temporary disruption
Breakthrough T1D will provide Constituents with notice in the event of a planned or unexpected disruption in the facilities or services usually used by people with disabilities. This notice will include information about the reason for the disruption, its anticipated duration, and a description of alternative facilities or services, if available.
The notice of disruption will normally be posted at all public entrances and/or at or near the disrupted service on event days and depending on the nature of the disruption, notice will also be provided on outgoing telephone messages and on our website during non-event times.
6. Training for staff
Breakthrough T1D will provide training to all employees and volunteers who deal with the public or other third parties on their behalf, and all those who are involved in the development and approvals of customer service policies, practices and procedures such as how to deal with constituents/volunteers who have support workers or a visual or hearing impairment, to name a few.
Training will be provided on an ongoing basis upon changes to these policies, practices and procedures. New staff will be trained as part of their orientation upon employment and records of training will be kept.
Training will include the following:
- The purposes of the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act, 2005 and the requirements of the customer service standard
- How to interact and communicate with people with various types of disabilities, including those who use an assistive device or require the assistance of a service animal or a support person
- How to use any equipment or devices available on our premises that may assist with the provision of programs or services to persons with disabilities
- What to do if a person with a disability is having difficulty in accessing Breakthrough T1D’s goods and services
- Breakthrough T1D’s policies, practices and procedures relating to the customer service standard
7. Feedback process
Our goal is to meet customer expectations while serving Constituents with disabilities. Comments on our services regarding how well those expectations are being met are welcome and appreciated.
Feedback regarding the way Breakthrough T1D provides goods and services to people with disabilities can be made in person, in writing or by telephone, or by e-mail as follows:
Breakthrough T1D Canada
235 Yorkland Blvd., Suite 1201 Toronto, ON M2J 4Y7
TF: 1.877.287.3533
https://breakthroughT1D.ca/
If either method is not suitable, individuals may request another method. Privacy will be respected and all feedback will be reviewed for possible action that can be taken to improve access to our programs and services.
All feedback received will be directed to our Human Resources Department. Constituents can expect to receive a response within a reasonable timeframe. However, some complaints may require more time to address and must be reviewed for action, possibly at a higher level. Complaints will be addressed according to complaint categories already established in our company’s complaint management procedures.
8. Modifications to this or other policies
We are committed to developing customer service policies that respect and promote the dignity and independence of people with disabilities. Therefore, no changes will be made to this policy before considering the impact on people with disabilities. Any policy of Breakthrough T1D that does not respect and promote the dignity and independence of people with disabilities will be modified or removed.
9. Questions about this policy
This policy exists to achieve service excellence to Constituents with disabilities. If anyone has a question about the policy, or if the purpose of a policy is not understood, an explanation should be provided by, or referred to Human Resources, Breakthrough T1D.
Copies of documents required under the Accessibility Standards for Customer Service regulation are available upon request.
Multi-year Accessibility Plan
This accessibility plan* outlines the policies and actions that the Breakthrough T1D Canada will put in place to improve opportunities for people with disabilities.
*Last reviewed December 2023
Statement of Commitment
Breakthrough T1D is committed to treating all people in a way that allows them to maintain their dignity and independence. We believe in integration and equal opportunity. We are committed to meeting the needs of people with disabilities in a timely manner, and will do so by preventing and removing barriers to accessibility and meeting accessibility requirements under the Accessibility of Ontarians with Disabilities Act.
Accessible Emergency Information
Breakthrough T1D is committed to providing our customers and clients with publicly available emergency information in an accessible way upon request. We will also provide employees with disabilities with individualized emergency response information when necessary.
Training
We will provide training to employees, volunteers and other staff members on Ontario’s accessibility laws and on the Human Rights Code as it relates to people with disabilities. Training will be provided in a way that best suites the duties of employees, volunteers and other staff members.
Breakthrough T1D will take the following steps to ensure that employees are provided with the training needed to meet Ontario’s accessible laws by January 1, 2015.
- All employees will be informed of the requirement to complete the training as mandated by AODA.
- All employees will be provided with access to the training materials, the equipment to view it as well as the time at work to complete required training.
- Records will be maintained of employees’ successful completion of training
- New employees will be provided with the same training on Ontario’s accessibility laws and the Human Rights Code, within 3 months of the start of their employment.
Information and communications
Breakthrough T1D is committed to meeting the communication needs of people with disabilities. We will consult with people with disabilities to determine their information and communication needs. We will take the following steps to make all new websites and content on those sites conform with WCAG 2.0, Level A.
- Our Marketing and Information Technology teams will meet twice per year to review new and modified web content, ensuring that it meets the requirements of WCAG 2.0.
Breakthrough T1D takes the following steps to ensure that the existing feedback processes are accessible to people with disabilities, upon request.
- We will respond to all requests for accessible formats of our materials such as surveys, feedback forms, questionnaires, comment cards and evaluation forms.
- We’ll work with individuals to respond to their individual needs
- Some of the ways that Breakthrough T1D is prepared to make information accessible include, but are not limited to:
- Reading documents out loudMaking large print versions availableUsing graphics to add meaningIncluding written or verbal descriptionsProviding transcriptsOffering in-person presentations or conversationsUsing text-based technology such as email, texting or instant messaging
- Sharing a copy of a presentation
- We will provide accessible information as soon as possible
- We will let our customers, supporters, volunteers and employee know that we will make information accessible upon request
Breakthrough T1D takes the following steps to ensure that all publicly available information is made accessible upon request.
- We will continue to review and comply with the specific requirements as published by the Ministry of Community and Social Services
- We will ensure that company contact information is available on our external website and other sources in order to handle individual requests for accessible formats
Breakthrough T1D will take the following steps to make all websites and content conform to WCAG 2.0, Level AA by:
- Continuing to review and comply with the specific requirements as published by the Ministry of Community and Social Services
- Our Marketing and Information Technology teams will continue to meet twice per year to review new and modified web content, ensuring that such content complies with the requirements
Employment
Breakthrough T1D is committed to fair and accessible employment practices. We will take the following steps to notify the public and staff that, when requested, Breakthrough T1D will accommodate people with disabilities during the recruitment and assessment processes and when people are hired.
- We will continue to review and comply with the specific requirements as published by the Ministry of Community and Social Services.
We will take the following steps to develop and put in place a process for developing individual accommodation plans and return-to-work policies for employees that have been absent due to a disability.
- We will continue to review and comply with the specific requirements as published by the Ministry of Community and Social Services.
We’ll also take the following steps to ensure that the accessibility needs of employees with disabilities are taken into account when we implement our regular performance management process, career development planning and any redeployment process.
- We will continue to review and comply with the specific requirements as published by the Ministry of Community and Social Services.
Breakthrough T1D will take the following steps to prevent and remove other accessibility barriers, if identified.
- Meet with employees individually when they request any form of accommodation for a disability
- Take all measures to meet the requests to the point of undue hardship to Breakthrough T1D
Design of Public Spaces
Breakthrough T1D will meet the Accessibility Standards for the Design of Public Spaces if building or making major modifications to public spaces, although it is highly unlikely that we would engage in such activity. However public spaces include:
- Recreational trails/beach access routes
- Outdoor public eating areas, such as rest stops or picnic areas
- Outdoor play spaces, such as playgrounds in provincial parks and local communities
- Outdoor paths of travel such as sidewalks, ramps, stairs, curb ramps, rest areas and accessible pedestrian signals
- Accessible off-street parking
- Service-related elements such as service counters, fixed queuing lines and waiting areas
We will put the following procedures in place to prevent service disruptions to its accessible parts of its public spaces.
- In the event of a service disruption, we will notify the public of the service disruption and alternatives available.
For More Information
For more information on this multi-year accessibility plan, please contact:
Christine Sibley, Chief Human Resources Officer
Phone: 416.206.2702
Email: csibley@breakthroughT1D.ca
Accessible formats of this document are available free upon request from: