Accessibility Statement

1. Our Commitment to Accessibility

CDCD is committed to treating all people in a way that allows them to maintain their dignity and independence.

We are committed to meeting the accessibility needs of people with disabilities in a timely manner and to identifying, preventing and removing barriers to accessibility wherever reasonably possible.

CDCD seeks to provide services, programs, information and opportunities in ways that support:

• Dignity;
• Independence;
• Integration;
• Equal opportunity;
• Respect;
• Inclusive participation.

2. Accessibility and the AODA

CDCD works to comply with the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act, 2005 and applicable requirements under the Integrated Accessibility Standards Regulation.

These requirements support accessibility in areas such as:

• Customer service;
• Information and communications;
• Employment;
• Training;
• Accessible formats and communication supports;
• Website and digital accessibility;
• Feedback processes.

3. Accessible Customer Service

CDCD is committed to providing services to people with disabilities in ways that respect their individual needs and support full participation.

We seek to communicate with people with disabilities in ways that take their disability and communication needs into account.

Where appropriate, CDCD will work with an individual to determine a suitable and accessible way to provide the service or information requested.

4. Communication Supports and Accessible Formats

CDCD will provide or arrange for accessible formats and communication supports for publicly available information upon request, in accordance with applicable requirements.

Depending on the individual’s needs and the nature of the information, accessible formats or communication supports may include:

• Large-print documents;
• Electronic documents;
• Plain-language information;
• Accessible digital formats;
• Alternative communication methods;
• Other reasonable supports appropriate to the request.

CDCD will consult with the person making the request to determine a suitable format or communication support.

5. Website and Digital Accessibility

CDCD is committed to improving the accessibility and usability of its website and digital content for people with disabilities.

We work to design, develop and maintain digital content in a manner that supports accessibility and compatibility with commonly used assistive technologies.

Our accessibility efforts may include:

• Clear and logical page structure;
• Meaningful headings and page titles;
• Descriptive alternative text for meaningful images;
• Keyboard-accessible navigation;
• Readable text and appropriate contrast;
• Descriptive links;
• Accessible online forms where practicable;
• Responsive layouts that work across devices;
• Ongoing review of website accessibility issues.

CDCD aims to meet applicable web accessibility requirements under Ontario accessibility legislation and recognized web accessibility standards where required.

6. Third-Party Content and Platforms

Some content or functionality available through the CDCD website may be provided by third-party platforms, services or websites.

While CDCD seeks to use accessible services where reasonably possible, we may not control the accessibility of third-party websites, embedded content, external applications or platforms.

If you experience an accessibility barrier involving third-party content accessed through the CDCD website, please contact us so we can explore alternative ways of providing the relevant information or service where reasonably possible.

7. Assistive Devices

People with disabilities are welcome to use their personal assistive devices when accessing CDCD services and facilities, unless prohibited for legitimate health, safety or operational reasons.

Where an assistive device cannot be used in a particular situation, CDCD will seek to identify an alternative way to provide access to the service where reasonably possible.

8. Service Animals

CDCD welcomes people with disabilities who are accompanied by a service animal in areas of our premises that are open to the public, except where the animal is otherwise excluded by law.

Where a service animal is legally excluded from an area, CDCD will seek to work with the individual to identify another appropriate way of accessing the service.

9. Support Persons

A person with a disability who requires the assistance of a support person may be accompanied by that support person while accessing CDCD services, subject to applicable health, safety, confidentiality and legal requirements.

Where confidential information is being discussed, CDCD may seek the individual’s consent before sharing personal information in the presence of a support person.

10. Temporary Disruptions to Accessible Services

Where a facility, service or accessibility feature normally used by people with disabilities is temporarily unavailable, CDCD will make reasonable efforts to provide notice where practicable.

The notice may include information about:

• The reason for the disruption;
• The expected duration, where known;
• Alternative services or facilities, where available;
• Contact information for assistance.

11. Accessible Employment Practices

CDCD is committed to accessible and inclusive employment practices.

We seek to provide accommodation to applicants and employees with disabilities in accordance with applicable human rights and accessibility legislation.

This may include accessibility considerations in areas such as:

• Recruitment and selection;
• Interview processes;
• Workplace accommodation;
• Accessible communications;
• Performance management;
• Career development;
• Return-to-work processes;
• Workplace emergency-response information.

Applicants who require accommodation during the recruitment process are encouraged to communicate their needs so appropriate arrangements can be considered.

12. Workplace Emergency Response Information

Where required and where CDCD is aware of an employee’s need for accommodation, individualized workplace emergency-response information may be developed in accordance with applicable accessibility requirements.

13. Training

CDCD provides accessibility-related training to employees, volunteers and other individuals as required by applicable accessibility legislation and organizational responsibilities.

Training may include:

• Accessible customer service;
• Ontario accessibility requirements;
• Human rights obligations relating to disability;
• Communication with people with disabilities;
• Relevant CDCD accessibility practices and procedures.

14. Accessibility Feedback

CDCD welcomes feedback about the accessibility of our programs, services, facilities, website and communications.

Feedback can help us identify barriers and improve accessibility.

Accessibility feedback may include:

• A barrier experienced when accessing a CDCD service;
• Difficulty accessing website content;
• A request for information in an accessible format;
• A concern about physical accessibility;
• A suggestion for improving accessibility;
• A compliment regarding an accessible service or experience.

CDCD will review accessibility feedback and take reasonable steps to respond where a response is requested.

15. Accessibility Requests and Complaints

If you encounter an accessibility barrier or believe that an accessibility need has not been appropriately addressed, please contact CDCD.

We will make reasonable efforts to review the concern respectfully, identify appropriate next steps and communicate with the individual where further information or follow-up is required.

16. Accessibility Documents

CDCD may maintain accessibility policies, plans, procedures or related documents in accordance with applicable legal requirements.

Where required, publicly available accessibility documents will be provided in an accessible format upon request.

17. Ongoing Accessibility Improvement

Accessibility is an ongoing responsibility. CDCD will continue to review its programs, services, employment practices, facilities, communications and digital environments to identify opportunities to improve accessibility.

We recognize that barriers may be physical, technological, informational, communicational, systemic or attitudinal, and that accessibility improvements may require ongoing consultation, training and organizational learning.

18. Changes to This Accessibility Statement

CDCD may update this Accessibility Statement from time to time to reflect changes in legislation, accessibility standards, organizational practices, technology or services.

The most current version will be posted on the CDCD website.