About Our Information and Communication Standards Policy

Information and Communications Standard Policy

POLICY STATEMENT

This policy is intended to meet the requirements of the Integrated Accessibility Standards, Ontario Regulation 191/11 for the Information and Communications Standard set forth under the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act, 2005. This policy applies to the provision of information and communication services and materials for people with disabilities.

PURPOSE

Great Big Children's Theatre o/a Great Big Theatre Company is committed to creating, providing, and receiving information in a way that is accessible to people with disabilities. When requested by a person with a disability Great Big Children's Theatre o/a Great Big Theatre Company will provide an accessible form of communication that takes into account the specific needs of the individual. Great Big Children's Theatre o/a Great Big Theatre Company is also committed to ensuring our employees are educated and trained to adhere to this policy. Great Big Children's Theatre o/a Great Big Theatre Company will make all reasonable efforts to ensure that all people are treated and provided information and communication in a manner that is consistent with the principles of the AODA: Dignity, Independence, Equal Opportunity and Integration.

DEFINITIONS

Accessible Formats: Include but are not limited to large print, recorded audio and electronic formats, braille and other formats usable by persons with disabilities.

Communication Supports: Include but are not limited to captioning, alternative and augmentative communication supports, plain language, sign language and other supports that facilitate effective communications.

Conversion Ready: An electronic or digital format that facilitates conversion into an acceptable format.

General Principles

In accordance with the Integrated Accessibility Standards, Ontario Regulation 191/11, this policy addresses the following:

General Requirements

Accessible Formats and Communication Supports

Accessible Websites and Web Content

Emergency Procedures, Plans or Public Safety Information

Education and Training Resources

Public Libraries

Feedback

Exceptions

General Requirements

General requirements apply to the Information and Communications, Employment and Transportation standards and are outlined as follows.

Establishment of Accessibility Policies and Plans

Great Big Children's Theatre o/a Great Big Theatre Company will develop, implement and maintain policies governing how it will achieve accessibility through these requirements. Great Big Children's Theatre o/a Great Big Theatre Company will include a statement of its commitment to meeting the accessibility needs of persons with disabilities in a timely manner in its policies. These documents will be made publicly available in an accessible format, upon request.

Great Big Children's Theatre o/a Great Big Theatre Company will establish, implement, maintain and document a multi-year accessibility plan outlining its strategy to prevent and remove barriers and meet its requirements under the IASR. Accessibility plans will be made available in an accessible format, upon request, and will be posted on our website.

Great Big Children's Theatre o/a Great Big Theatre Company will review and update its accessibility plan once every five (5) years and will establish, review and update our accessibility plans in consultation with persons with disabilities or an advisory committee. Annual status reports will be prepared that will report on the progress of the steps taken to implement the accessibility plan. This status report will be posted on our website and shall be created in an accessible format upon request.

Procuring or Acquiring Goods and Services, or Facilities

Great Big Children's Theatre o/a Great Big Theatre Company will incorporate accessibility criteria and features when procuring or acquiring goods, services or facilities. The only exception is in cases where it is impracticable to do so.

Training Requirements

Great Big Children's Theatre o/a Great Big Theatre Company will provide training for its employees and volunteers regarding the IASR and the Ontario Human Rights Code as they pertain to individuals with disabilities. Training will also be provided to individuals who are responsible for developing Great Big Children's Theatre o/a Great Big Theatre Company policies, and all other persons who provide goods, services or facilities on behalf of the organization.

Training will be provided to all employees as soon as possible, but no later than required. Training will be provided on an ongoing basis to new employees and as changes to our accessibility policies occur. We will maintain records of who completed the training, including the date of completion.

Accessible Formats and Communication Supports

Great Big Children's Theatre o/a Great Big Theatre Company will provide or arrange for the provision of accessible formats and communication supports for persons with disabilities, upon request. Accessible formats and communication supports will be provided in a timely manner and at no additional cost to the individual. Great Big Children's Theatre o/a Great Big Theatre Company will take into account the person's accessibility needs when customizing individual requests and shall consult with the individual making the request to ensure suitability.

Accessible Websites and Web Content

Great Big Children's Theatre o/a Great Big Theatre Company will ensure that our website and all web content conform to the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) 2.0 at Level AA, in accordance with the schedule set out in the regulation. This applies to web content on both the internet and the organization's intranet.

Emergency Procedures, Plans or Public Safety Information

Great Big Children's Theatre o/a Great Big Theatre Company will address accessibility in our emergency procedures. Great Big Children's Theatre o/a Great Big Theatre Company will prepare emergency procedures, plans or public safety information, which is available to the public and will be provided in an accessible format upon request.

Education and Training Resources

This section does not apply to Great Big Children's Theatre o/a Great Big Theatre Company.

Public Libraries

As Great Big Children's Theatre o/a Great Big Theatre Company does not operate a public library, this section is not applicable.

Feedback Process

Great Big Children's Theatre o/a Great Big Theatre Company will ensure processes are in place for receiving and responding to feedback. Great Big Children's Theatre o/a Great Big Theatre Company will make these processes accessible to persons with disabilities by providing or arranging for the provision of accessible formats and communications supports, upon request. Great Big Children's Theatre o/a Great Big Theatre Company will notify the public about the availability of these accessible formats.

Exceptions

The Information and Communications Standard does not apply to:

Products and product labels;

Unconvertible information or communications; or

Information that the organization does not control either directly or indirectly through a contractual relationship.

Information is regarded as unconvertible where it is not technically feasible to convert, or the technology required to make the conversion is not readily available. In a case where it is determined information is unconvertable Great Big Children's Theatre o/a Great Big Theatre Company will ensure that the individual who made the request is provided with an explanation and a summary of the information.