Accessibility Policy and Plan
Introduction

This accessibility policy and plan outlines the policies and actions of the Pickering Islamic Centre (PIC) to improve opportunities for people with disabilities, including seniors.

 

The PIC 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.

 

This policy and plan apply to all employees, volunteers, members, and visitors of the PIC.


Providing Goods and Services to People with Disabilities

The PIC is committed to excellence in serving the community, including people with disabilities, and  carry out our functions and responsibilities in the following areas:


Communication

We communicate with people with disabilities in ways that consider their limitations. We train staff and volunteers who communicate with them on how to interact and communicate.


Assistive Devices

We are committed to serving people with disabilities who use assistive devices to obtain, use or benefit from our goods and services. We ensure that our staff and volunteers are familiar with various assistive devices that may be used by community members with disabilities while accessing our goods and services.


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 except prayer areas which are all carpeted. However, we will make necessary arrangements and do our best to support this need when requested in advance.


Support Persons

A person with a disability is will be allowed to have a support person accompany them on our premises.


Notice of Temporary Disruption

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


Feedback Process

We welcome feedback on how we provide goods and services to people with disabilities. Those who wish to provide feedback on the way the PIC provides goods and services to people with disabilities can do so by:

  • Emailing us at [email protected]
  • Calling us at 905-426-7887
  • Writing to us at 2065 Brock Road, Pickering, ON L1V 2P8
  • Visiting us in person and speaking to a staff member

All feedback will be directed to the Administrator. Community can expect to hear back in 10 business days.

Complaints will be addressed according to our organization’s regular complaint management procedures.

Training

We provide training to employees, volunteers and others who deal with the public or other third parties on our behalf. Individuals in the following positions will be trained:

  • Admin Staff
  • Program Coordinators
  • Teachers
  • Imams
  • Board Members
  • Volunteers

This training will be provided to staff and volunteers within one month of hiring or starting their role.

Training will include:

  • An overview of the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities
  • The PIC’s accessibility policy and plan related to our service standards.
  • 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 and services to people with disabilities.
  • What to do if a person with a disability is having difficulty in accessing the PIC’s goods and services

Information and Communications

We are committed to meeting the communication needs of people with disabilities. We always attend such persons to determine their information and communication needs.


Emergency Information

We provide publicly available emergency information in an accessible way upon request. We may also provide employees with disabilities with individualized emergency response information when necessary.


Websites and Web Content

We plan to make our websites and content conforming with the requirement as soon as possible.


Feedback

We welcome feedback and ensure existing feedback processes are accessible to people with disabilities upon request:

  • Provide multiple ways of receiving feedback, such as phone, email, mail, and in person.

Design of Public Spaces

We meet the Accessibility Standards for the Design of Public Spaces when building or making major modifications to public spaces. Public spaces include:

  • Outdoor paths of travel, like sidewalks, ramps, stairs, curb ramps, rest areas
  • Accessible parking

We will put the following procedures in place to prevent service disruptions to our accessible parts of our public spaces:

  • Conduct regular inspections and maintenance of our public spaces and facilities.
  • Identify and address any potential accessibility issues or barriers.
  • Inform the public of any planned or unplanned service disruptions and provide alternative options if possible.

In the event of a service disruption, we will notify the public of the service disruption and alternatives available.


Modifications to this or other Policies

All our policies respect and promote the dignity and independence of people with disabilities. We will continue to review and update this policy and plan at least once every five years or as required by law.