Accessibility Policy

Purpose

Fusion Homes 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.

At Fusion Homes we believe in integration and accommodation, and we are committed to meeting the needs of people with disabilities in a timely manner. In order to do so, we will remove and prevent barriers to accessibility while ensuring we are compliant with the requirements under Ontario’s accessibility laws.

We will use reasonable efforts to ensure that our policies, practices, and procedures governing the provision of our services to persons with disabilities are consistent with the following principles:

  • Services are provided in a way that respects the dignity and independence of persons with disabilities;
  • Persons with disabilities are able to benefit from the same services, in the same place and in a similar way as other staff or visitors; and
  • Persons with disabilities have opportunities equal to others to obtain, use, and benefit from Fusion Homes’ services.

Definitions

“Disability” means:

  • Any degree of physical disability, infirmity, malformation, or disfigurement that is caused by bodily injury, birth defect or illness;
  • A condition of mental impairment or a developmental 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; or
  • An injury or disability for which benefits were claimed or received under the insurance plan established under the Workplace Safety and Insurance Act, 1997.

“Service animal” means:

  • An animal accompanying a person with disabilities where it is readily apparent that the animal is used by the person for reasons relating to his or her disability or where the person provides a letter from a physician or nurse confirming that he or she requires the animal for reasons relating to the disability. This definition includes guide dogs used by the blind or visually impaired.

“Support person” means:

  • Another person who accompanies him or her to help with communication, mobility, personal care, or medical needs or with access to goods and services.

“Barrier” means:

  • Anything that prevents a person with a disability from fully participating in all aspects of society on an equal basis because of his or her disability. This includes a physical barrier, an architectural barrier, an information or communications barrier, an attitudinal barrier, a technological barrier, a policy, or a practice.

Application of Policy

This policy applies to all Fusion Homes services provided to the public, and all staff and visitors who are accountable for providing accessibility to persons with disability.

Use of Assistive Devices, Service Animals and/or Support Persons

Clients with a disability are permitted, where possible, to use their own Assistive Device when on our premises for the purposes of obtaining, using, or benefiting from our goods and services.

A person with disabilities may be accompanied by a guide dog or other service animal when on Fusion Homes’ premises. In the event that service animals are excluded by law from the premises or a part thereof (e.g., an area where food is being prepared), Fusion Homes will provide other resources or support to enable the person with disabilities to access the services and goods offered by Fusion Homes.

Persons with disabilities may enter Fusion Homes premises with a support person and have access to the support person while on the premises. In certain circumstances, Fusion Homes may require persons with disabilities to be accompanied by a support person when on the premises, but only if a support person is necessary to protect the health and safety of the person with disabilities or the health or safety of others on the premises.

Training for Staff

Fusion Homes will train its staff and other individuals who provide services to the public on Fusion Homes’ behalf on the provision of its services to persons with disabilities. This policy will also be shared as soon as possible with new hires.

Fusion Homes will provide training on an ongoing basis when changes are made to policies, practices and procedures governing the provision of services to persons with disabilities.

Information and Communication

Fusion Homes is committed to meeting the communication needs of persons with disabilities. When communicating with a person with a disability, individuals working on behalf of Fusion Homes will do so in a manner that considers the person’s disability and will make a reasonable effort to have the person with a disability understand both the content and intent of the communications. When asked, we will provide information and communications materials in accessible formats or with communication supports.

Fusion Homes will consult with persons with disabilities to determine their information and communication needs.

Feedback

Fusion Homes welcomes the opportunity for collaboration and feedback related to the achievement of the accessibility requirements and standards outlined in this policy.

As it relates to the provision of Fusion Homes’ goods and services, individuals representing Fusion Homes will accept verbal feedback and will use sensitivity and diplomacy to address any issues immediately when possible. Feedback may also be conveyed in person at Fusion Homes headquarters in Guelph, via telephone 519-826-6700 and/or via email to accessibility@fusionhomes.com.

Fusion Homes is committed to responding to and investigating all complaints of discrimination based on disability. If a complaint is found to have merit, immediate steps will be taken to end the conduct at issue.

Employment

Those seeking employment at Fusion Homes will be notified that accommodations may be made for persons with disabilities, upon request, during the recruitment, assessment, and selection processes. This includes but is not limited to:

  • Any company information in an accessible format or with communication supports to people with disabilities, in a manner that considers their disability.
  • Accessible emergency information, including an individual emergency accommodation plan in the case of an evacuation.
  • Develop an individual accommodation plan. Please refer to our Individual Accommodation Plan Process for more information.

Notice of Temporary Disruption

Should any aspects of our facilities that are used by persons of disabilities face an unexpected disruption, a notice will be publicly posted including information about the reason for the disruption, anticipated duration, and a description of alternative facilities or services if available.

Design of Public Spaces

Fusion Homes will meet the Accessibility Standards for the Design of Public Spaces when building or making major modifications to public spaces.

Fusion Homes Multi-Year Accessibility Plan

Fusion Homes has established a Multi-Year Accessibility Plan which is maintained on an ongoing basis. The purpose of the Accessibility Plan is to proactively identify, remove and prevent barriers to persons with disabilities in Fusion Homes’ policies, programs, practices, and services in Ontario. Please find our Multi-Year Accessibility Plan linked here.