Accessibility Policy

HomeAccessibility Policy

INTRODUCTION

Camp Green Acres: Where you belong!

At Camp Green Acres we aim to make summer camp as accessible as possible for campers and staff alike.

Camp Green Acres is committed to providing a safe and accessible summer day camp experience for all including those with disabilities. We commit to meet the needs of all to the best of our ability. We will accomplish this by preventing and removing barriers to accessibility and meeting the requirements as outlined by the Canadian Government. We are committed to ensuring that opportunities or employment are equally available to candidates with disabilities and we will make all reasonable accommodations so that our employees may excel at their jobs.

PURPOSE AND APPLICATION

Under the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act, 2005 all businesses must meet the requirements of accessibility standards established by regulation. This policy establishes the accessibility standards for customer services Green Acres Day Camp Inc., Green Acres Outdoor Education Centre, Markham and Cedar Creek Riding Stables, Inc. in accordance with Ontario Regulation 429/07, the Accessibility Standards for Customer Service. This policy applies to all employees of Green Acres Day Camp Inc., Green Acres Outdoor Education Centre, Markham and Cedar Creek Riding Stables, Inc., agents, volunteers and contracted service staff.

DEFINITIONS

Accessible means customer service is provided in a manner that is capable of being easily understood or appreciated; easy to get at; capable of being reached, or entered; obtainable.

Disability means any degree of physical infirmity, malformation or disfigurement that is caused by bodily injury, birth defect or illness and, without limiting the generality of the foregoing, includes diabetes mellitus, epilepsy, a brain injury, any degree of paralysis, amputation, lack of physical coordination, blindness or visual impairment, deafness or hearing impediment, muteness or speech impediment, or physical reliance on a guide dog, or other animal or a wheelchair or other remedial appliance or device;

A condition of mental impairment or a development disability;

A learning disability, or a dysfunction in one or more of the processes involved in understanding or using symbols or spoken language;

A mental disorder;

An injury or disability for which benefits were claimed and received under the insurance plan established under the Workplace Safety and Insurance Act, 1997.

Guide Dog means a dog trained as a guide for a blind person and having the qualifications prescribed but the Blind Person’s Rights Act R.S.O. 1990, c. B.7, s. 1 (1).

Service Animal is an animal for a person with a disability, if it is readily apparent that the animal is used by the person for reasons relating to his/her disability; or if the person provides a letter from a physician or nurse confirming that the person requires the animal for reasons relating to the disability.

POLICY STATEMENT

Green Acres Day Camp Inc., Green Acres Outdoor Education Centre, Markham and Cedar Creek Riding Stables, Inc. is committed to providing exceptional and accessible service to its customers. Goods and services will be provided in a manner that respects the dignity and independence to all customers. The provision of services to persons with disabilities will be integrated wherever possible. Persons with disabilities will be given an opportunity equal to that given to others, to obtain, use or benefit from the goods and services provided by and on behalf of Green Acres Day Camp Inc., Green Acres Outdoor Education Centre, Markham and Cedar Creek Riding Stables, Inc.

POLICY REQUIREMENTS

The following is an outline of the accessibility initiatives that Camp Green Acres has implemented to improve accessibility for people with disabilities and to meet requirements of the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act.

COMMUNICATION STANDARDS

Green Acres Day Camp Inc., Green Acres Outdoor Education Centre, Markham and Cedar Creek Riding Stables, Inc. make information concerning our policies, practices and programming accessible through multiple mediums. We will communicate with people with disabilities in ways that take into account their disability. We highlight to customers that they may receive information via:

Electronic forms
Printed material
Phone conversations
Face-to-face interactions
Our website

USE OF SERVICE ANIMALS AND SUPPORT PERSONS

If a person with a disability is accompanied by a guide dog or other service animal, Green Acres Day Camp Inc., Green Acres Outdoor Education Centre, Markham and Cedar Creek Riding Stables, Inc. will ensure that the person is permitted to enter Green Acres Day Camp Inc., Green Acres Outdoor Education Centre, Markham and Cedar Creek Riding Stables, Inc. facilities with the animal and to keep the animal with him or her unless the animal is otherwise excluded by law. Where a service animal is excluded by law, (i.e. animals are not allowed in places where food is manufactured, prepared or processed). Green Acres Day Camp Inc., Green Acres Outdoor Education Centre, Markham and Cedar Creek Riding Stables, Inc. will ensure that other measures are available to enable the person with a disability to obtain, use and benefit from the Companies’ goods and services. The service animal must be under the care and control of the individual at all times.

If a person with a disability is accompanied by a support person, Green Acres Day Camp Inc., Green Acres Outdoor Education Centre, Markham and Cedar Creek Riding Stables, Inc. will ensure that both persons are permitted to enter the camp facilities, and the person with a disability is not prevented from having access to support person. Green Acres Day Camp Inc., Green Acres Outdoor Education Centre, Markham and Cedar Creek Riding Stables, Inc. may require a person with a disability to be accompanied by a support person when in a camp facility, but only if a support person is necessary to protect the health or safety of the person with a disability or the health and safety of others in the facility. If an amount is payable by a support person for admission, otherwise, to a premise, or where a fee includes or covers such costs as food or accommodation Green Acres Day Camp Inc., Green Acres Outdoor Education Centre, Markham and Cedar Creek Riding Stables, Inc. will ensure notice is given in advance about the amount.

With advance notice, Camp Green Acres will provide one on one support for those who require additional support through the leisure buddy program which is supervised by the camper relations team. The camper follows the cabin schedule to the best of their abilities with changes made in order to ensure the greatest success of the participants.

NOTICE OF TEMPORARY DISRUPTIONS

Green Acres Day Camp Inc., Green Acres Outdoor Education Centre, Markham and Cedar Creek Riding Stables, Inc. shall provide notice of disruption of services to the public.
Any Notice of Disruption will contain the following:

Reason for the disruption
Anticipated duration
Alternative facilities or services

Camp staff will provide such notice in at least one of the following four methods:

Notice physically posted at the site of the disruption
Notice on the camp website
Notice in local newspaper
Notice emailed to customers directly

FEEDBACK PROCESS

Green Acres Day Camp Inc., Green Acres Outdoor Education Centre, Markham and Cedar Creek Riding Stables, Inc. accept feedback from the public in a variety of methods including:

Phone
In Person
Fax
Email
And, through feedback surveys

All feedback is reviewed by the Directors. Complaints are investigated and follow-up is provided to the customer if requested.

ACCESSIBILITY TRAINING

Every person who deals with members of the public or who participates in developing Green Acres Day Camp Inc., Green Acres Outdoor Education Centre, Markham and Cedar Creek Riding Stables, Inc. policies, practices and procedures governing the provision of goods and services to the public; including camp staff, volunteers, agents, contractors and others who provide service on behalf of Green Acres Day Camp Inc., Green Acres Outdoor Education Centre, Markham and Cedar Creek Riding Stables, Inc. will receive training regarding the provision of goods and services to persons with disabilities.
The training will include the following information:

The purpose of the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act;
How to interact and communicate with persons with various types of disabilities;
How to interact with persons with disabilities who use an assistive device, or require the assistance of a service animal or support person;
How to use equipment made available by the camp to help people with disabilities access goods and services;
What to do if a person with a disability is having difficulty accessing services.

Training will be provided to each person according to his or her needs and duties and as soon as is practical on an ongoing basis in connection with changes to policies, practices and procedures governing the provision of goods and services to persons with disabilities. A record of the dates on which training is provided and the number of individuals to whom it is provided will be kept.

NOTICE OF AVAILABILITY OF DOCUMENTS

Green Acres Day Camp Inc., Green Acres Outdoor Education Centre, Markham and Cedar Creek Riding Stables, Inc. will provide the public notice of the availability of the documents, required by the Accessibility Standards for Customer Service, (O. Reg 429/07) upon request. Notice of availability will be provided on the Green Acres Day Camp Inc., Green Acres Outdoor Education Centre, Markham and Cedar Creek Riding Stables, Inc. website and through other printed methods.

FORMAT OF DOCUMENTS

If Green Acres Day Camp Inc., Green Acres Outdoor Education Centre, Markham and Cedar Creek Riding Stables, Inc. is required, by the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act, 2005, to give a copy of a document to a person with a disability, the camp will take into account the person’s ability to access the information and will provide the document or information contained in the document in a format that meets those needs as agreed upon with the person.

MULTI YEAR ACCESSIBILITY PLAN

STRATEGIES AND ACTIONS TO PREVENT ADDITIONAL BARRIERS

The following are projects and programs planned to meet the requirements of the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act and to remove barriers to people with disabilities.

CUSTOMER SERVICE AND COMMUNICATION

Camp Green Acres is committed to providing accessible customer service to people with disabilities. This means that we will provide goods, services and facilities to people with disabilities with the same high quality and timeliness as others. Camp Green Acres is committed to making our information and communications accessible to people with disabilities.

We will continuously assess our programs, site and communication to identify, prevent and address any additional barriers that may arise.

Any policy or programming at Camp Green Acres that does not respect and promote the dignity and independence of people with disabilities will be modified or removed.

Camp Green Acres will continue to provide accessible customer service through phone, in person, email and fax. Camp Green Acres will review and respond to feedback to ensure accessibility and compliance with the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act.

Camp Green Acres will evaluate the accessibility of it’s website and continue to work towards making it more accessible to all customers.

STAFF

Camp Green Acres is committed to fair and accessible employment practices.

Camp Green Acres will provide accommodations for staff when reasonable from the beginning of the job application and interview process.

Camp Green Acres is committed to providing training in the requirements of Ontario’s accessibility laws and the Ontario Human Rights Code as it applies to people with disabilities.

We will continue to provide up to date annual training to all staff. Part of this training will be to ensure that staff are aware of the opportunity to inform supervisors of the need for alternate accessibility and accommodations.

Camp Green Acres will keep a list of training received by all staff.

DESIGN OF PUBLIC SPACES

Camp Green Acres will meet accessibility laws when building or making major changes to public spaces.

THE LAW AND ACCESSIBLE FEEDBACK

The basic requirement, under the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act, 2005 (AODA) is to let the public and your employees know that you will make written information and other forms of communication accessible, upon request. You could include a note on your website or promotional materials, create a sign or post a notice on a bulletin board. If a person with a disability asks for accessible information or requires communication supports, work with them to figure out how to meet their needs. You don’t have to have accessible formats on hand, but you need to provide the information in a timely manner. You cannot charge more for accessible formats than you do for other formats.

CAMP GREEN ACRES FEEDBACK PROCESS

Green Acres Day Camp Inc., Green Acres Outdoor Education Centre, Markham and Cedar Creek Riding Stables, Inc. accept feedback from the public in a variety of methods including:

Phone
In Person
Fax
Email
Google reviews
And, through feedback surveys

All feedback is reviewed by the Directors. Complaints are investigated and follow-up is provided to the customer if requested. The Camp Green Acres website provides all contact information in one convenient location https://campgreenacres.com/ .

EMERGENCY PROCEDURE, PLANS OR PUBLIC SAFETY INFORMATION

All Camp Green Acres emergency procedures and public safety information will be provided in both written and verbal formats and any other format needed. Camp Green Acres will ensure that all information regarding emergency procedures and safety will be provided in accessible formats to the best of our ability.

This information is available in accessible format or with appropriate communication supports, as soon as possible upon request.

EMERGENCY SIGNAL

Green Acres has an emergency siren located outside the camp office. It is independently powered by a battery and, when activated, can be heard in all areas of camp.

The siren is the signal for all campers and staff to meet in their designated “safe area”. Campers and staff line up for attendance in their groups. When everyone in a cabin group is accounted for, then that group sits down.

Beavers – Inside the Rec. Hall

Buffaloes – in front of the Buffalo Rec. Hall

Bears – on the hill facing the main doors of the Bears Rec Hall

Eagles – in front of the Eagle Rec. Hall

Seniors – in front of the Senior Rec. Hall

Grads – behind the Grads Rec Hall

LTP’s – in front of the Grads Rec Hall

All-Star & Raptors – in the field between the All-Star Tent and All-Star changerooms (See notes below)

All Green Acres counsellors remain with their campers. One counsellor should be at the front of the line and one at the back. Any extra counsellors should sit with the children and wait for further instructions. Once everyone has been seated the Unit Head sends a message via walkie-talkie to the camp office to confirm that everyone has been accounted for.

Specialists meet in front of the camp office to receive instructions.

Units at an Instructional or Recreational swim will stay at their respective pool area and Pool Supervisors will report to the office via walkie-talkie when all are accounted for.

Campers and staff line up for attendance in their cabin groups. When everyone in a cabin group is accounted for, then that group sits down. All counsellors remain with their campers. One counsellor should be at the front of the line and one at the back. Any extra counsellors should sit with the children and wait for further instructions. Once everyone has been seated the Unit Head sends a message via walkie-talkie to the camp office to confirm that everyone has been accounted for.

Campers and Staff at Ropes, Ball Hockey,Basketball, Lacrosse, Landsports or Soccer remain at their respective areas and sport supervisors report to the Ropes Supervisor (or if available a Senior All-Star staff) to confirm that all campers at their area are accounted for.

All staff will have the opportunity to participate in an emergency exercise during pre-camp.

FIRE EMERGENCIES

Don’t panic. Send someone responsible for help. Evacuate people in the danger area. Find an extinguisher and use it but never put yourself at risk.

Fire extinguishers are located in each building and all staff will be instructed on their use during pre-camp by a fireman from the Markham Fire Department.

The small red dry chemical extinguishers in most buildings are for all types of fire. Pull the safety pin, point at the base of the fire and pull the trigger. Never put yourself at any risk.

ACCIDENTS AND MEDICAL EMERGENCIES

Injuries can occur at any time, and they range in severity from a scraped knee to a spinal injury. Each accident deserves our attention and an appropriate response.

BUMPS, BRUISES, AND SCRAPES – NON-EMERGENCIES

A counsellor should escort the injured camper to the Health Centre.

BEE STINGS OR OTHER INSECT BITES

Bee stings are not considered emergencies unless the person is allergic to stings. As a precaution, all campers with bee stings should be brought to the Health Centre for assessment.

MORE SEVERE MEDICAL EMERGENCIES

Send runners, with an accurate description of the problem, to the nearest pool or the Health Center. Staff at these locations are all trained in first aid and will know what to do.
One counsellor should stay at the site of the emergency.
Another counsellor should escort other campers away from the scene. Keep these campers calm.
Do not move a victim unless it is necessary to avoid further injury.

SPINAL INJURIES

Take all precautions! If you suspect a spinal injury, don’t move the victim! Get qualified help!

Backboards for stabilizing spinal injuries are located at pools and waterslides. Backboards should only be used by specially trained staff.

Follow the Emergency Plan

Contact the Camp Nurse OR if the camp nurse is not on site call 911. Tell them someone is having a life-threatening allergic reaction. Ask them to send an ambulance immediately.
Also, if the Camp Nurse is not on site, call the emergency home contact person as provided for by the parent.

Accessibility Compliance Reports

All accessibility related documents will be posted on the Camp Green Acres website to ensure that it is available to all interested parties. Accessible versions will be available upon request and each request will be completed in a timely manner.

https://campgreenacres.com/

WHY THE TRAINING IS REQUIRED

Under the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act, 2005 (AODA), since January 1, 2012, every obligated organization must ensure that training is provided on the requirements of the accessibility standards referred to in the AODA and on the Ontario Human Rights Code.

TRAINING 1: ACCESSIBLE CUSTOMER SERVICE

Each Camp Green Acres Staff will be required to complete the mandatory training module for accessible customer service prior to the start of their employment. A copy of each completion certificate will be maintained which states when each staff completed their training.

Camp Green Acres will use the customer service standard module provided by access forward. https://accessforward.ca/front/customerService/ If a staff member can not access the module, a paper copy will be provided and a supervisor will administer the knowledge check in order to ensure that training is completed.

TRAINING 2: HUMAN RIGHTS CODE TRAINING

Each Camp Green Acres Staff will be required to complete the mandatory training module Working Together: The Code and the AODA prior to the start of their employment. A record of each completion will be maintained which states when each staff completed their training.

Camp Green Acres will use Working Together: The Code and the AODA provided by the Ontario Human Rights Commission. https://www.ohrc.on.ca/en/learning/working-together-code-and-aoda If a staff member can not access the module, a paper copy will be provided in order to ensure that training is completed.

TRAINING 3: ACCESSIBILITY TRAINING RELATED TO STAFF DUTIES

To receive additional training, each green acres staff will be required to complete the general requirements module prior to the start of their employment. A record of each completion will be maintained which states when each staff completed their training.

Camp Green Acres will use the General Requirements Module provided by access forward. https://accessforward.ca/front/general/ If a staff member can not access the module, a paper copy will be provided in order to ensure that training is completed.

FOR MORE INFORMATION

For more information on this accessibility plan please contact

Name: Lori Bogomolny

Phone Number: 905-887-1400

Email Address: lori@campgreenacres.com

Our accessibility plan is publicly posted at https://campgreenacres.com/accessibility-policy/

Our 2023 Accessibility Compliance Report can be found here: 2023-accessibility-compliance-report-for-web

Standard and accessible formats of this document are free on request from