Accessibility Policy

At our Annual Vestry Meeting (February 2nd 2025), All Saints adopted an Accessibility Policy for the parish as well as a task list to improve how we offer services to all people. The text of the policy is as follows:
PREAMBLE: Having an accessibility policy is required by our Provincial government, but creating safer and more inclusive spaces and practices is also consistent with our Christian faith. Therefore, we commit to working towards full compliance with the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (2005) with willing hearts. We will be guided by the principles of independence, dignity, integration, and equal opportunity as well as by kindness, goodness, and gentleness, which are among the fruits of God’s own Spirit.
STATEMENT OF INTENT: Providing goods, services or facilities to people with disabilities, All Saints Huntsville is committed to meeting its current and ongoing obligations under the Ontario Human Rights Code respecting non-discrimination. All Saints Huntsville understands that obligations under the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act, 2005 (AODA) and its accessibility standards do not substitute or limit its obligations under the Ontario Human Rights Code or obligations to people with disabilities under any other law. All Saints Huntsville is committed to complying with both the Ontario Human Rights Code and the AODA. All Saints Huntsville is committed to serving and welcoming all people, including people with disabilities.
ASSISTIVE DEVICES: People with disabilities may use their personal assistive devices when accessing our programs, services or facilities. In cases where the assistive device presents a significant and unavoidable health or safety concern or may not be permitted for other reasons, other measures will be used to ensure the person with a disability can access our programs, services or facilities.
COMMUNICATION: We will communicate with people with disabilities in ways that take into account their disability. This may include the following: Making large print copies of printed materials (i.e. service bulletins, prayer books), investigating both audible and visual improvements to our website, respecting requests for certain communication methods (i.e. a phone call vs. an email). We will work with the person with a disability to determine what method of communication works for them, and are open to learning new methods to improve.
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. When we cannot easily identify that an animal is a service animal, our staff may ask a person to provide documentation (template, letter or form) from a regulated health professional that confirms the person needs the service animal for reasons relating to their disability. A service animal can be easily identified through visual indicators, such as when it wears a harness or a vest, or when it helps the person perform certain tasks. A regulated health professional is defined as a member of one of the following colleges: College of Audiologists and Speech-Language Pathologists of Ontario College of Chiropractors of Ontario College of Nurses of Ontario College of Occupational Therapists of Ontario College of Optometrists of Ontario College of Physicians and Surgeons of Ontario College of Physiotherapists of Ontario College of Psychologists of Ontario College of Registered Psychotherapists and Registered Mental Health Therapists of Ontario. If service animals are prohibited by another law, we will do the following to ensure people with disabilities can access our programs, services or facilities: explain why the animal is excluded discuss with the customer another way of providing programs, services or facilities.
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. In the rare cases where a fee is charged for a service or program (i.e. a ticketed church fundraising dinner), the support person will not be charged.
NOTICE OF TEMPORARY DISRUPTION: In the event of a planned or unexpected disruption to services or facilities for people with disabilities, All Saints will notify the public promptly. A clearly posted notice, on both the church door (36 High Street) and Sutherland Hall (30 High Street) will include information about the reason for the disruption, its anticipated length of time, and a description of alternative facilities or services, if available. An announcement will also be made on our website and Facebook page (and other social media as applicable). It is anticipated that such notices and announcements would apply to both persons with and without disabilities.
TRAINING: All Saints Huntsville will provide accessibility training to all employees and volunteers. Staff will be trained on accessible customer service within 30 days after being hired, and retrained when/if changes or updates are made. Training will include:
• Purpose and requirements of the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act, 2005;
• All Saints Huntsville’s policies 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;
• What to do if a person with a disability is having difficulty in accessing All Saints Huntsville’s programs, services or facilities.
FEEDBACK PROCESS: All Saints Huntsville welcomes feedback on how we provide accessible services. Feedback will help us identify barriers and respond to concerns. The general public as well as our regular congregation will be notified of how to provide feedback in the following ways: Through invitations on our website and Facebook page with the methods of being in touch with us on this topic, as well as via a permanent sign on the church bulletin board. All feedback, including complaints, will be handled in the following manner: Complaints will be forwarded to the Wardens and/or Incumbent, one of whom will respond to the person or persons making the complaint within 5 days.
NOTICE OF AVAILABILITY OF DOCUMENTS: All Saints Huntsville will notify the public that documents related to our accessibility policy and practices are available upon request by posting a notice on the parish website and church bulletin board. All Saints Huntsville will provide this document in an accessible format or with communication support, on request. We will consult with the person making the request to determine the suitability of the format or communication support. We will provide the accessible format in a timely manner, and at no additional cost.
MODIFICATIONS TO THIS POLICY: Any policies of All Saints Huntsville that are determined, as we learn, not to respect and promote the principles of dignity, independence, integration and equal opportunity for people with disabilities will be modified or removed.