Purpose and Statement of Commitment 

The purpose of this Accessibility Policy is to outline Huntington University’s commitment to meeting the accessibility needs of persons with disabilities, and to providing equal access and equal opportunity to all employees, students and visitors by creating an inclusive accessible environment that ensures the independence, dignity, and integration of all.

This Accessibility Policy will adhere to the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act, 2005 (the “AODA”) and is intended to meet the requirements of the Integrated Accessibility Standards, Ontario Regulation 191/11 (the “IASR”). 

1) General Requirements

              a) Establishment of Accessibility Policies 

Huntington University has established this Accessibility Policy and will make this document available upon request in an accessible format.

            b) Training

All employees, volunteers, and persons who participate in developing the University’s policies (collectively referred to as “staff members”) are required to be trained on Ontario’s accessibility laws, including the requirements of the IASR and the Ontario Human Rights Code as it relates to individuals with disabilities. Training will be provided in a way that best suits the duties of staff members. Training modules are accessible through the University’s website and must be completed within the first month of a staff member’s engagement with the University.

2) Customer Service Standard

In accordance with this Policy, reasonable efforts will be made to ensure that:

• Persons with disabilities are provided equal opportunities to obtain, use and benefit from Huntington’s provision of goods, services, or facilities;
• Goods, services, or facilities are provided in a manner that respects the dignity and independence of persons with disabilities;
• Goods, services, or facilities provided to persons with disabilities are integrated with the provision to others unless an alternative measure is necessary to allow a person with a disability to benefit. The alternative measure may be temporary or permanent;
• Communications with a person with a disability are conducted in a manner that takes the person’s disability into account; and
• Persons with disabilities may use assistive devices, service animals and support persons as is necessary to access the Company’s goods and services unless superseded by other legislation.

a) Assistive Devices - Huntington University permits all assistive devices on our premises that may be required by persons with disabilities while   accessing our goods, services or facilities.

b) Service Animals - Huntington University welcomes people with disabilities and their service animals. Service animals are allowed on the parts of our premises that are open to the public, unless otherwise excluded by law, in which case the University will ensure that other measures are available to assist.

c) 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.

d) Notice of Temporary Disruption - In the event of a planned or unexpected disruption to services or facilities for customers with disabilities, Huntington University will notify customers promptly. This 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. The notice will be clearly placed at the main entrances of our facilities, as well as where the disruption is taking place.

3) Information and Communication Standard

a) Feedback Process – Huntington University welcomes feedback on how we provide goods, services, or facilities to persons with disabilities. This will help us identify barriers and respond to concerns. Individuals who wish to provide feedback can contact the Office of the Accessibility Coordinator by email at accessibilitycoordinator@huntingtonu.ca. A response will be provided within 10 business days. The Office of the Accessibility Coordinator can also be reached by phone at 705-673-4126 ext. 203, or in person by visiting Huntington University, 935 Ramsey Lake Road, Sudbury, Ontario, P3E 2C6, Room 104.  Huntington will ensure that the feedback process is accessible to persons with disabilities and will provide accessible formats and communications supports, upon request.

b) Accessible Formats and Communication Supports  – Huntington University will meet the information and communication needs of people with disabilities by providing, upon request, publicly available information and communications materials in accessible formats or with communications supports through the Office of the Accessibility Coordinator. Accessible formats and supports will be provided in a timely manner and at no additional cost to the individual. This includes publicly available information about our goods, services and facilities, as well as publicly available emergency information.

Huntington University will consult with people with disabilities to determine their information and communication needs.

4) Employment Standard 

Huntington University is committed to fair and equitable employment practices. In accordance with this commitment, Huntington University will take steps to identify existing barriers to accessibility and solicit employee feedback on how to minimize and eliminate those barriers.

a) Recruitment, Assessment and Selection Process  - Huntington University will notify the public, job applicants and its employees that, when requested, Huntington University will accommodate individuals with disabilities during the recruitment, assessment and selection process.

b) Informing Employees of Workplace Policies - Huntington University will notify successful applicants and employees of our policies used to support people with disabilities when they are hired and any time there is a change to the policies. Workplace policies will be provided in accessible formats or with communications supports if requested.

c) Providing Accessible Formats and Communication Support  - Huntington University will provide employees with accessible formats and communication supports for workplace information, including information needed by the employee to perform their job, when requested.

d) Performance Management, Career Development and Advancement - Huntington University will ensure the accessibility needs of employees with disabilities are taken into account when Huntington University uses performance management, career development and/or redeployment processes.

e) Workplace Emergency Response Information - All employees will have access to information regarding emergency policies and procedures. Employees who require special assistance during emergencies will be provided with a customized workplace emergency and evacuation plan if the disability is such that the individualized information is necessary and the employer is aware of the need for accommodation.

5) Design of Public Spaces 

Where required by the AODA, Huntington University will meet the Accessibility Standards for the Design of Public Spaces when building new public spaces or making major modifications to current public spaces where applicable.

6) Modification to this Policy  

Huntington University is committed to developing accessibility policies that respect and promote the dignity and independence of persons with disabilities. Therefore, no changes will be made to this Accessibility Policy before considering the impact on persons with disabilities.

7) Documentation

This Accessibility Policy is provided on the University website. Should an individual have a visual disability, this information can be described vocally by one of our staff members.