Accessibility policy
INTENT
Chudleigh’s Apple Farm Ltd. is committed to ensuring equal access and participation for people with disabilities. We are committed to treating people with disabilities in a way that allows them to maintain their dignity and independence. We believe in integration, and we are committed to meeting the needs of people with disabilities in a timely manner. We will do so by removing and preventing barriers to accessibility and meeting our accessibility requirements under the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act and Ontario’s accessibility laws.
Chudleigh’s Apple Farm Ltd. is committed to meeting its current and ongoing obligations under the Ontario Human Rights Code respecting non-discrimination. Chudleigh’s Apple Farm Ltd. 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. Chudleigh’s is committed to excellence in serving and providing goods, services or facilities to all customers including people with disabilities. Our accessible customer service policies are consistent with the principles of independence, dignity, integration and equality of opportunity for people with disabilities.
The website operated by Chudleigh’s follows Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) 2.0.
Definitions
“Assistive Device” is a device, such as a technical aid, communication device or medical aid, that increases, maintains, or improves the functional abilities of people with disabilities. Examples include devices which assist with: seeing, hearing, speaking, mobility, walking, breathing, performing manual tasks, learning, working or self-care.
“Barrier” means anything that prevents a person with a disability from fully participating in all aspects of society because of their disability, including a physical barrier, an architectural barrier, an information or communications barrier, an attitudinal barrier, a technological barrier, a policy or a practice.
“Guide Dog” means a dog trained as a guide for a blind person.
“Service Animal” means an animal, including Guide Dogs, that has been trained to provide assistance to a person with a disability.
“Representatives” means anyone that interacts with guests on our behalf, including our employees, contractors, or volunteers.
“Support Person” is a person who accompanies a person with a disability in order to help with communication, mobility, personal care, medical needs or with access to goods or services.
GUIDELINES
Employment
Chudleigh’s Apple Farm Ltd. makes every effort to identify, remove, and prevent barriers to employment by developing inclusive procedures that support and accommodate persons with disabilities throughout their recruitment and employment. Whenever a candidate requires accommodation to enable them to fully participate in the recruitment and selection process, or a current employee requires accommodation in the workplace, the company works with the individual to provide such accommodation up to the point of undue hardship.
Recruitment and Hiring
Chudleigh’s Apple Farm Ltd. completes recruitment and selection process in a way that ensures dignity and inclusion for all who participate. Upon request, the company provides candidates with reasonable accommodations during the interview and selection process. The company consults with the candidate to arrange suitable, personalized accommodations.
Training and Development
Chudleigh’s Apple Farm Ltd. recognizes that skills development and training can enrich the employment experience, increase engagement, and reduce turnovers for all employees. To this end, all employees are treated equally regarding training opportunities, and the company does not discriminate against employees who require accommodation when considering eligibility for training and development.
Emergency Response
If necessary or upon request, Chudleigh’s Apple Farm Ltd. creates individualized workplace emergency response plans for employees with disabilities. The emergency response plan considers the unique challenges created by the individual’s disability and the physical nature of the workplace and is created in consultation with the employee. If an employee with a disability requires assistance from a support person during an emergency, the company designates a fellow mutually agreed upon employee to act as such. Where necessary, this employee will have the required first aid training and certification necessary to provide emergency support.
Customized emergency response plans are reviewed when:
- The employee moves to a different physical location on the Farm.
- The employee’s overall accommodation needs or plans are reviewed; and
- The company reviews general emergency response policies.
Return to Work
Chudleigh’s Apple Farm Ltd. provides a supportive return-to-work program and develops and implements return-to-work processes for employees who are absent from work due to a disability and require accommodations to return to work. The company works with the employee to develop an individualized return-to-work plan and support the employee in the transition period by identifying and eliminating or reducing any barriers. The return-to-work process outlines the steps the company will take to facilitate the employee’s return to work and any individualized accommodation needs.
Training
We are committed to training our staff in Ontario’s accessibility laws and aspects of the Ontario Human Rights Code that relates to persons with disabilities.
In addition, we will train:
- a) all persons who participate in developing the organization’s policies; and
- b) all other persons who provide goods, services on behalf of the organization
Training includes:
- purpose of the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act, 2005 and the requirements of the Customer Service Standards
- our policies related to the Customer 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 our organization’s goods, services or facilities.
We train every person as soon as practicable after being hired and provide training in respect of any changes to the policies. We maintain records of the training provided including the dates on which the training was provided and the number of individuals to whom it was provided.
Training Schedule
Chudleigh’s Apple Farm will provide training as soon as practical following hiring. Ongoing training will be provided in the event of changing legislation, procedures, and/or practices or where it is apparent that renewed training is required
Record of Training
Chudleigh’s Apple Farm will keep a record of training that includes the dates training was provided and the number of employees who attended the training.
CUSTOMER SERVICE
Access to Goods and Services
Chudleigh’s Apple Farm seeks to provide barrier-free access to the company’s goods and services for all customers. Where barriers cannot be removed, alternate means for accessing goods or services are provided to the best of the company’s ability. Chudleigh’s will afford customers at all locations dignity, independence, integration, and equal opportunity by:
- Ensuring they receive the same value and quality as others.
- Allowing customers with disabilities to do things in their way and at their own pace when accessing goods and services without presenting a safety risk.
Using alternative methods, when possible, to ensure that customers with disabilities have access to the same services, in the same place and a similar manner; considering individual needs when providing goods and services; and communicating in a manner that takes into account the customer’s disability.
Assisted Devices
Customer’s own assisted device(s): Persons with disabilities may use their own assistive devices as required when accessing the goods or services at the farm. In cases where the assistive device presents a safety concern or where accessibility might be an issue, other reasonable measures will be used to ensure access to goods and services.
Communication
We communicate with people with disabilities in ways that take into account their disability. We will work with the person with disabilities to determine what method of communication works for them.
Service animals
We welcome people with disabilities and their service animals. Service animals are allowed on the parts of our farm that are open to the public. When we cannot easily identify that an animal is a service animal, our staff may ask for documentation (template, letter or form) from a regulated health professional that confirms the person needs the service animal for reasons relating to their disability.
Recognizing a Guide Dog, Service Dog, and/or Service Animal
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 goods, services or facilities:
- explain why the animal is excluded
- discuss with the customer another way of providing goods, services or facilities
For the health and welfare of our animals, our employees and other visitors, service animals are permitted onsite under specified conditions and are restricted from the Animal Centre
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. The general admission fee will be charged to the support person for admission to our premises. See below for participating program.
We notify customers of this by posting a notice on our website in the FAQ section.
In certain cases, this organization might require a person with a disability to be accompanied by a support person for the health
or safety reasons of:
- the person with a disability
- others on the premises
Chudleigh’s Apple Farm is pleased to participate in the Easter Seals Access 2 Card Program and offer both an individual with a disability and one support person, 25% off regular gate admission after your visit.
Tickets must be purchased online in advance.
Following your visit, please email a photo of your Access 2 Card along with your ticket receipt to customercare@chudleighs.farm, and the applicable discount will be credited back to your original form of payment.
*Access 2 program is for discounted for general admission only.
Notice of Temporary Disruption
In the event of a planned or unexpected disruption to services or facilities (e.g., non-functioning washrooms) for customers with disabilities, this organization will notify customers promptly. This clearly posted 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.
When disruptions occur, Chudleigh’s Farm will provide notice by:
- Posting notices in conspicuous places including at the point of disruption, at the main entrance and the nearest accessible entrance to the service disruption.
- Verbally notify customers at the admissions gate
Feedback Process
Chudleigh’s Apple Farm will provide customers with the opportunity to provide feedback on the services provided to customers with disabilities.
Feedback can be given to any Manager (when possible, the General Manager) verbally (in person ) or written (Handwritten, delivered, via Website, or email).
Customers can also submit feedback to:
Human Resources Admin
9528 Regional Road 25 Halton Hills L9T 1X7
customercare@chudleighs.farm
Customers can expect to hear back in 3 days.
To access our multi year accessibility plan click here. Chudleigh’s Multi-Year Accessibility Plan