Accessible Customer Service Policy

 

Background

In 2005 the Ontario Legislature passed The Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA) with the goal of creating standards to improve accessibility for Ontarians with disabilities. These standards are in respects to goods, services, facilities, accommodation, employment, buildings, structures and premises on or before January 1, 2025, by developing, implementing and enforcing accessibility standards.

One of the specific standards that has been developed, and made law, is the Accessible Customer Service Standard. This standard details specific requirements for all service providers such as:

  • Develop policies, practices and procedures for providing goods and services to persons with disabilities.
  • Create policies pertaining to Service Animals, Support Persons, Disruption of Service, and Communication.
  • To provide ongoing training to all staff, volunteers, and third parties.
  • Implement a Customer Service Feedback process.

In general, providers must deliver service in a way that preserves the dignity and independence of persons with disabilities.

 

 

Commitment to Customer Service Statement

The Festival of the Sound is committed to excellence in providing goods and services to all residents, including those with disabilities. Every effort will be made to ensure the following:

  • The goods and services will be provided in a manner that respects the dignity and independence of persons with disabilities.
  • The provision of goods and services to persons with disabilities, and others, will be integrated unless an alternate measure is necessary, whether temporarily or permanently, to enable persons with disabilities to obtain, use or benefit from the goods and services.
  • Persons with disabilities may use assistive devices, guide animals and/or support persons in the access of goods and services.
  • All persons, regardless of their abilities will be given equal opportunity to obtain, use and benefit from all goods and services.

Summary of the Festival of the Sound Accessible Customer Service Policy

Notice of temporary disruption

In the event of a planned or unexpected disruption to services or facilities for customers with disabilities the Festival of the Sound will notify customers promptly. To view disruption of services notices visit our website.

The notices will be made publicly available at the following locations:

Festival of the Sound Office located at 1 Avenue Road, Parry Sound, ON

Assistive devices 

We will ensure that our staff are trained and familiar with various assistive devices we have on site or that we provide that may be used by customers with disabilities while accessing our goods and services.

Service Animals 

We welcome persons with disabilities and their service animals. Service animals are allowed on parts of our premises that are open to the public.

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. Venues requiring a fee for a support person will provide notice in advance.

Thank you for visiting the Festival of the Sound. We value all of our customers and strive to meet everyone’s needs.
If you have any questions or concerns feel free to contact us!

Email

info@festivalofthesound.ca

Phone

(705) 746-2410

Office

1 Avenue Road, Parry Sound, ON P2A2A6