Accessibility Policy

Winnipeg

ACCESSIBILITY POLICY

We are committed to complying with the Accessibility Standard for Customer Service under The Accessibility for Manitobans Act. Our policies, practices and measures reflect the principles of dignity, independence, integration, and equal opportunity for people with disabilities. If a barrier to accessing our goods or services cannot be removed, we seek to provide alternate ways to access the goods or services. The following policy statements, organizational practices and measures are intended to meet the requirements of the Accessibility Standard for Customer Service. This policy applies to all team members, volunteers, and management.

MEET COMMUNICATION NEEDS

ACCOMMODATE THE USE OF ASSISTIVE DEVICES

WELCOME SUPPORT PERSONS

ALLOW SERVICE ANIMALS

MAINTAIN ACCESSIBILITY FEATURES

LET THE PUBLIC KNOW WHEN AND WHY AN ACCESSIBILITY FEATURE IS UNAVAILABLE

WELCOME AND RESPOND PROMPTLY TO FEEDBACK

PROVIDE THE REQUIRED TRAINING TO TEAM MEMBERS, VOLUNTEERS AND MANAGEMENT

KEEP A WRITTEN RECORD OF ACCESSIBILITY AND TRAINING POLICIES

Accessibility Feedback Form

Meet communication needs

Policy Statement

We meet the communication needs of our customers, service recipients, clients and members.

Practices and Measures

To meet communication needs, when appropriate we offer to communicate in different ways, such as writing things down, reading things out loud, and taking extra time to explain things.
We also:
- keep paper and pens available to write things down
- offer a chair when longer conversations are needed
- offer a quieter space
- sit down to engage with someone using a wheelchair
- etc
All of our publications include the statement: “This publication is available in alternate formats on request.” We also specify how a person can request an alternate format.
We use signs and documents that are easy to read, including using larger fonts and colour contrast, and ensuring messages are not printed on images.
We write signs and documents in plain language.

Accommodate the use of assistive devices

Policy Statement

We accommodate the use of assistive devices when customers, service recipients, clients, members, or others are accessing our goods, services or facilities.

Practices and Measures

We do not touch or move customers’, service recipients’, clients’, members’, or others’ assistive devices without permission.
We are trained in how to use the assistive devices that we provide, including:
- video captioning
- automatic doors
- wheelchairs
In cases where the assistive device presents significant and unavoidable health or safety concerns, we attempt to use other measures to ensure the person with disabilities can access our goods, services, or facilities.

Welcome support persons

Policy Statement

We welcome support persons and we let the public know in advance if support persons have to pay admission or service fees.

Practices and Measures

We address the customer, service recipient, client, member, or others, not the support person, unless requested by the individual to do otherwise.
We make space for support persons on-site and ensure customers, service recipients, clients, members or others have access to their support persons at all times.
We waive admission or service fees for support persons (provided they are assisting the individual and not exercising)

Allow service animals

Policy Statement

We allow service animals on our premises.

Practices and Measures

We:
- treat a service animal as a working animal
- do not distract a service animal from its job by petting, feeding or playing with it, unless given permission by the person with the service animal to do so
- know how to identify a service animal by its harness or vest and by the assistance the animal is providing
If we have concerns, we may ask if the animal has been trained to help a person with a disability-related need.
We do not inquire about the disability.
We expect the person who is handling the service animal to maintain control of the animal physically or through voice, signal or other means.
If the service animal is showing signs of not being controlled (i.e., by barking, whining or wandering), we may provide a warning to the handler to control the animal.
If the service animal continues to misbehave, we may ask the handler to leave.
If another law prohibits service animals (e.g., sterile laboratories, and food preparation areas), we explain why the animal cannot enter the space and discuss with the person another way of providing goods or services.

Maintain accessibility features

Policy Statement

To ensure barrier-free access to our goods, services or facilities, we maintain our accessibility features so they can be used as intended.

Practices and Measures

We organize our space so that there is room for people with wheelchairs, electric scooters and walkers.
Our seating accommodates people of varying sizes and abilities.
We keep hallways, aisles, entrance and reception areas, waiting rooms and meeting rooms clear of clutter.
We keep our entrance area clear of ice and snow.
We place standing signs out of the way to avoid tripping hazards.
We use both audio and visual cues to inform customers it is their turn to be served.
Our accessibility features affected by this policy include: hallways, aisles, entrance and reception areas, waiting rooms and meeting rooms, accessible washrooms, elevators, automatic doors, accessible pool entrance and ramps.

Let the public know when and why an accessibility feature is unavailable

Policy Statement

We let the public know when and why an accessibility feature is temporarily unavailable, how long it will be unavailable, and other ways to access our goods and services.

Practices and Measures

If one of our accessibility features becomes temporarily unavailable, we prepare and post a notice and/or announcement about the disruption, the reason for the disruption, how long it will last, and whether there are other ways we can provide access to our goods and services (e.g., by using an alternate entrance).
If requested, we work with the customer to find other ways to provide goods and services.
We let the public know about disruptions in the following ways:
- posted on website, on social media, and/or in newsletters
- posted at our building entrance and/or in high traffic areas
- through team members or management (in person, by phone or through recorded greetings)

Welcome and respond promptly to feedback

Policy Statement

We welcome and respond promptly to feedback we receive on the accessibility of our goods and services. We document the actions we take to respond to the feedback we receive, and that information is available on request in a format that meets the individual’s communication needs.

Practices and Measures

We invite feedback in the following ways:
- Visit our reception or service desk, or contact us by phone, email at feedback@alteaactive.com , website or feedback form.
All feedback is directed to the Club General Manager who determines what action, if any, should occur.
If the feedback requires us to follow-up, the member or guest is notified that the request is being reviewed and when they can expect a response.
We let the member or guest know what action we will take to address their feedback, if any.
We respond to feedback in a way that meets the communication needs of the individual.

Provide the required training to team members, volunteers and management

Policy Statement

We provide the required training on accessible customer service to team members, volunteers, and management. We are trained on:

How to interact and communicate with people who face barriers to accessing goods and services, use assistive devices, are assisted by a support person and/or are assisted by a service animal.

How to use any equipment or assistive devices that are available on-site.
An overview of The Accessibility for Manitobans Act, The Human Rights Code (Manitoba), and the Customer Service Standard.
Our organizational policies, practices, and measures, including updates or changes.

Practices and Measures

We train new team members and management within one month after hiring.
We provide refresher training regularly, including updates to policies, practices, and measures as necessary.
Human Resources record who has taken training and when.
Feedback on the accessibility of our goods and services is addressed in regular staff meetings.

Keep a written record of accessibility and training policies

Policy Statement

We keep a written record of our accessibility and training policies.

Our written documents include a summary of our training material and when training is offered.

We let the public know that our written policies are available on request.

Practices and Measures

We let the public know that our accessibility and training policies are available in the following ways:
- posted on website, on social media, and/or in newsletters
- through team members or management (in person, by phone or through recorded greetings)
We provide our policies within a reasonable timeframe, at no cost, and in a format that meets the needs of the individual.

Winnipeg