Statement of Commitment
The College believes in equal opportunity and is committed to providing a barrier-free environment that allows all people to maintain their independence and dignity. As an organization, we respect and uphold the requirements set forth under the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (2005) and its associated Regulations and strive to meet the needs of individuals with disabilities in a timely and effective manner. The College will carry out its functions in a manner which delivers an accessible customer service experience.
The College is committed to making every reasonable effort to meeting and accommodating the accessibility needs of persons with disabilities in a timely manner, up to the point of undue hardship to the College. This is reflected in policies, which are publicly posted on our website and, upon request, will be made publicly available in an accessible format.
Assistive Devices
We will ensure that our employees are trained and familiar with various assistive devices that may be used by visitors and members of the community with disabilities while accessing our goods or services.
Assistive Documents/Formats
If accessible documents/formats are required, please email [email protected].
Communication
We will communicate with people with disabilities in ways that best take into account their disability.
Digital Accessibility Statement
The College is committed to digital accessibility conforming to the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) 2.1, Level A and AA and complying with the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA) effective communication requirements, including other applicable regulations.
To accomplish this, we have partnered with Level Access, a comprehensive digital accessibility-as-a-service platform that provides consultation on our accessibility program and its governance. Their accessibility program evaluates our digital products on an ongoing basis in accordance with best practices and is supported by a diverse team of accessibility professionals, including users of assistive technologies.
If you encounter any accessibility barriers on our digital properties, please contact our Customer Support at [email protected].
Service Animals
A student/employee/visitor with a disability who is accompanied by a guide dog or service animal will be allowed access to premises that are open to them unless otherwise excluded by law. “No pet” policies do not apply to guide dogs or service animals.
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. If there is an admission or entrance fee payable as a result of the person’s attendance at Havergal or a Havergal sanctioned event, notice shall be given in advance about the amount, if any, payable by the support person.
Notice of Temporary Disruption
In the event of a planned or unexpected disruption to services or facilities that affects accessibility, Havergal will make every reasonable effort to provide the community with notice of the disruption.
The notice about any disruption of service that affects accessibility will be displayed prominently at the entrance of Havergal, on the Havergal website, with voice messaging or any other reasonable alternative in that particular circumstance. The notice will also be posted at the school’s main entrances. The notice will include details about the reason for the disruption, its anticipated length of time, and a description of alternative facilities or services, if available. Adequate notice in the case of a temporary emergency disruption may not be possible.
Training for Employees of Havergal
Havergal will provide training to all employees and volunteers of Havergal on accessible customer service and how to interact with people with different disabilities.
This training will be provided to new employees as part of the hiring process.
Training includes:
- A review of the purpose of the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act, 2005;
- A review of the requirements of the customer service standards;
- Instructions on how to interact and communicate with people with various types of disabilities;
- Instructions on how to interact with people with disabilities who:
- Use assistive devices;
- Require the assistance of a guide dog or other service animal; or
- Require the use of a support person;
- Instructions on what to do if a person with a disability is having difficulty accessing our services; and
- Policies, procedures, and practices of the College pertaining to providing accessible customer service to customers with disabilities.
- Employees will also be trained when changes are made to Havergal’s accessible customer service plan.
Feedback Process
Any person wishing to provide feedback to Havergal about the manner in which Havergal provides service to people with disabilities may do so verbally (in person or by telephone) or written (handwritten, delivered, website, or e-mail).
Submitting Feedback
Feedback may be submitted to the attention of:
Accessibility Feedback
1451 Avenue Rd.
Toronto, ON M5N 2H9
Phone: 416-483-3519 x6526
Email: [email protected]
Upon receipt of a complaint, the complaint is to be forwarded to the Chief Operations Officer or the Executive Director of Human Resources. The matter will be reviewed by the Executive Director of Human Resources or their designate and a response will be provided to the individual making the complaint either verbally or in writing, as appropriate, concerning their complaint and any action which may have been taken as a result.