The DJC'S Accessibility Policy

Purpose
In 2005, Ontario passed the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA) to make the province accessible for people with disabilities by 2025. This policy explains how the Danforth Jewish Circle (DJC) will comply with and exceed these requirements to remove barriers and provide equal access.

​

Who is Affected
This policy applies to:

• DJC employees

• Independent contractors

• DJC members

• Participants in services and programs

• Volunteers

• Candidates for employment and volunteer positions

Key Terms
Disability: A physical or psychological condition that isn’t fully accommodated in society. For example, a mobility impairment when buildings lack ramps. (See AODA legal definition The Act (AODA), Part 1, Definitions.) 
Accommodation: Adjustments or support to help people with disabilities fully participate. This could be physical changes, providing assistance, or modifying procedures.
Barrier: Anything preventing full participation in society due to disability, such as physical obstacles, communication challenges, or attitudinal biases.
Accessible Formats: Alternative ways of presenting information, including large print, Braille, audio recordings, and electronic formats.
Assistive Device: Tools that help with daily activities, such as hearing aids, wheelchairs, or communication devices.
Service Animal: Animals like guide dogs that assist people with disabilities.
Support Person: Someone who helps a person with a disability with communication, mobility, personal care, or accessing services.
 

Policy: General Commitments
DJC will follow AODA standards, including:

• Information and Communication

• Employment

• Customer Service

• Design of Public Spaces
   

Training will be provided to all staff, volunteers, and contractors to ensure they understand and can implement these standards.

Information and Communication

• Communicate in ways that consider individual disabilities.

• Provide information in accessible formats upon request, such as large print, audio, or Braille.

• If a particular material cannot be converted, provide an explanation and a summary in an alternative format.

• Ensure emergency information is accessible.

• Aim to enhance website accessibility to meet WCAG 2.1 Level AA standards by March 2025.

Employment

• Encourage job applications from people with disabilities.

• Provide accommodations during all employment stages: recruitment, hiring, onboarding, and promotion.

• Notify job applicants about available accommodations.

• Consult with employees to provide accessible formats and communication supports as needed for their job performance.

Customer Service

• Deliver services that respect the dignity and independence of people with disabilities.

• Integrate services for people with disabilities unless an alternative is needed.

• Ensure people with disabilities have equal opportunities to benefit from services.

• Work with East End United Regional Ministry to improve building accessibility, as DJC rents facilities from them.

Assistive Devices and Service Animals

• Allow the use of personal assistive devices to access DJC services.

• Permit service animals unless excluded by law, ensuring the person can keep the animal with them.

Support Persons
Allow support persons to accompany individuals with disabilities and waive program costs for them, except for specific costs like food or accommodation.

Service Interruptions
Notify the public about service disruptions through various channels, including the reason, duration, and alternatives available.
 

Feedback

• Accept feedback on accessibility in person, by phone, email, or other suitable methods.

• Respond to complaints with information about actions taken to resolve issues.

• Staff will report accessibility feedback to the Executive Director, who will inform the Board as needed.

Design of Public Spaces
Follow accessibility standards when redesigning outdoor public spaces like parking areas, eating areas, pathways, and waiting areas.

Transportation
DJC does not provide commercial transportation services and is not required to follow transportation standards.
 

Accommodation Requests
Work with individuals to provide mutually satisfactory accommodations. Accommodation requests can be made here. 
 

Responsibilities

• Executive Director: Ensure staff training, provide accessible materials, handle feedback, and meet reporting requirements.

• Director of Education and all Supervisors: Offer accommodations at all stages of employment and implement this policy.

• Communications Manager: Ensure all written communications are accessible.

• Office Manager: Arrange interpreters and captioners for events, and inform relevant parties in advance.

• Events and Services Manager/Volunteer Coordinator: Ensure event accessibility and notify potential attendees of any disruptions.

• Staff and Program Volunteers: Participate in training and support accessibility by respecting the use of assistive devices, service animals, and support persons.

• Board: Ensure adequate funding for accessibility needs and review the policy every three years.

The policy is available to the public upon request and will be mentioned on the DJC website and in the Welcome Package for new members.