Accessible customer service for those with disabilities.
Our Commitment
Hamilton District Christian High is committed practicing Christian hospitality in the form of exceptional customer service to anyone who visits our school or who attends our events, including anyone with a disability.
This commitment means that we do our best to provide our goods and services to people with disabilities in a manner that respects their dignity and independence, while at the same time gives them the same opportunity to access our goods and services, and allows them to benefit from the same services, in the same place, and in a similar way, as all other customers.
Assistive Devices
We will ensure that all members of our organization are trained and familiar with any assistive devices we have on site or that we provide that may be used by customers with disabilities while accessing our goods or services. At this time, this includes an elevator.
All members of our organization have been trained and are familiar with various types of assistive devices that may be used by customers with disabilities while accessing our goods and services.
Communication
We will communicate with people with disabilities in ways that take into account their disability.
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. On the rare occasion when it is not readily apparent, members of our organization may ask for clarification confirming that the service animal is required for reasons relating to disability, and/or may ask for documentation from a regulated health professional confirming the need for the service animal.
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. HDCH does not charge additional fees to support workers who are attending with a disabled person at one of our workshops or other events. In certain cases, HDCH may require a person with a disability to be accompanied by a support person for health and safety reasons. Before making such a decision, HDCH commits to consultation with the person with disabilitys to better understand their needs, to consider health or safety reasons based on available evidence, and to determine if there is no other reasonable way to protect the health of anyone on our premises.
Notice of temporary disruption
In the event of a planned or unexpected disruption to services or facilities for customers with disabilities, we will promptly notify customers whenever there is a temporary disruption – whether it is planned or unplanned – in such facilities or services. This notice will include the reason for the disruption, its anticipated duration, and any alternative facilities or services available. The notice will be placed at our front entrance, in our main office, and on our website.
Details about HDCH’s notice of temporary disruption process are posted on our accessibility webpage at www.hdch.org/accessibility.
Training
HDCH will provide training to volunteer and employee members of our organization. Training will be provided within one month of hiring.
Training will include:
- An overview of the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act, 2005 and the requirements of the customer service standard,
- HDCH’s plan 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 any equipment or devices available at HDCH or otherwise that may help provide our goods and services to people with disabilities, and
- What to do if a person with a disability is having difficulty in accessing HDCH’s goods and services.
Staff will also be trained when changes are made to the plan.
Feedback process
Customers who wish to provide feedback on the way HDCH provides goods and services to people with disabilities can contact us in person, by telephone, in writing, or by email, online, or otherwise to the Director of Operations.
By Mail: Hamilton District Christian High, 92 Glancaster Road, Ancaster, ON L9G 3K9
By Phone: 905-648-6655 x102
By Fax: 905-648-3139
By Email: amitchell@hdch.org
All feedback, including complaints, will be brought to the attention of the Director of Operations. Where possible, feedback will be addressed immediately. Some feedback may, however, require more time to address and may need to be reviewed before an action is taken.
Availability of Accessible Customer Service Documents
All documents related to accessible customer service are available both from our office and online at www.hdch.org/accessibility. HDCH will provide the document, or the information it contains, in a format that takes into account any person’s disability. Requests for copies of these documents are welcome, and should be made to the Director of Operations.
Modifications to this or other policies
Any Hamilton District Christian high policy that does not respect and promote the dignity and independence of people with disabilities will be modified or removed.