Accessibility

Policy Number: G-01
Policy Title: Accessibility
Category: Operational Policies: Public Services
Adopted: 2010
Last Review: April 2024

Policy:

Perth & District Union Public Library is committed to the independence and integration of persons with disabilities and all who live, learn, work, play and invest in our community.

1 Provision of accessible services

The library will make every reasonable effort to ensure that services and programs are accessible by:
a) encouraging the use of personal assistive devices to access our services and programs
b) encouraging the inclusion of and access for support persons accompanying people with disabilities
c) waiving fees for support persons assisting clients and when fees are required providing advance notification
d) permitting service animals to assist clients
e) developing an accessibility plan that is reviewed annually

2 Communication of services

The library will make every effort to communicate with clients in a manner that enables the use of services and programs by providing:
a) information and communication materials in accessible formats or with communication supports when requested. This includes publicly available information about our materials, services and policies, as well as publicly available emergency information.
b) reasonable notification of all interruptions that especially relate to the provision of services and programs for people with disabilities
c) a feedback process that enables increased integration of users and accessibility of materials and services
d) information on the provision of customer service for people with disabilities and accessible services and programs

3 Training

The library provides training on Ontario’s accessibility laws, accessibility aspects of the Human Rights Code that apply to persons with disabilities, and accessible customer service for:
a) those who participate in developing library policies
b) all employees and volunteers

4 Employment 

The library will notify the public and staff that, when requested, we will accommodate disabilities during recruitment and assessment processes and when people are hired. If needed, we will provide customized workplace emergency information to employees who have a disability. Performance management, career development and redeployment processes will take into account the accessibility needs of employees with disabilities.

5 Design of Public Spaces

The library will meet Ontario Regulation 191-11, Accessibility Standards for the Design of Public Spaces, and the accessibility requirements of the Ontario Building Code when building or making major modifications to public spaces, including outdoor spaces and service-related elements such as service counters and fixed queuing lines.