Accessibility Plan
Updated February 2019
Policy Statement of Commitment
Forest Cliff Camp is committed to creating inclusive camp experiences that are accessible and barrier free. The Leadership Team of Forest Cliff Camp has shown great initiative in championing the policies and plans that will create an environment that encourages use by all and the broader Forest Cliff community has embraced the revisions. We remain dedicated to serving all clients with respect and dignity while we work to make Jesus’ message of love, forgiveness and hope known to children, youth and their families through life-changing, unforgettable camp experiences.
Tyler Shaule, Executive Director
Introduction
At Forest Cliff Camps, we seek to create unforgettable, life changing camp experiences. This includes experiences for individuals of all kinds of abilities. Forest Cliff Camps strives to meet the needs of its employees and customers with disabilities and is working hard to remove and prevent barriers to accessibility. We are committed to fulfilling our requirements under the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act. This accessibility plan outlines the steps Forest Cliff Camps is taking to meet those requirements and to improve opportunities for people with disabilities. Our plan shows how Forest Cliff Camps will play its role in making Ontario an accessible province for all Ontarians.
Section One: Past Achievements to Remove and Prevent Barriers
The following is an outline of the accessibility initiatives that Forest Cliff Camps has implemented to improve accessibility for people with disabilities and to meet requirements of the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act.
Customer Service
Forest Cliff Camps complies with the Accessibility Standards for Customer Service, according to the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act, 2005. We are committed to providing exceptional and accessible service to our customers.
Goods and services are provided in a manner that respects the dignity and independence of all customers. The provision of services to persons with disabilities is integrated wherever possible.
Persons with disabilities are 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 Forest Cliff Camps.
Through creating online contact forms, ensuring the public availability of new phone, website and email information and through creating a navigable phone menu, Forest Cliff Camp has made an effort to provide multiple feedback methods for customer use. In addition to the previously mentioned methods, customer feedback may be provided in person.
Forest Cliff seeks feedback after customers have participated in a camp experience so that we can better understand and serve our customers. Complaints are investigated and follow up is provided to the customer if requested.
Previous customer feedback includes:
Not all the bathroom and shower facilities were accessible.
In response, when we built our Dining Hall, we ensured it was accessible, including a washroom on each level. As we build our new Health Care Centre, each feature is designed to be accessible.
Access to the beach was limited due to stair access.
In response, we provide vehicle transportation down a path to the beach for participants who need it.
The noise level at welcome was too high.
In response, we arranged alternate arrival options.
Information and Communication
Forest Cliff is constantly brainstorming and implementing ways to make our website more navigable for individuals of all abilities.
Our formatting of mailing and online publications has been standardized. We have relocated and centralized our communication headquarters in an accessible, major urban centre.
We have evaluated and revamped our phone and email system and our ‘contact us’ forms to be navigable so that customers can easily reach the individuals they need to connect with.
Assistance to register or use our systems is available over the phone or in person.
Employment
Forest Cliff encourages all qualified candidates to apply for employment or volunteer opportunities.
The application process is online and each section of the application is explained in written text. Employment and volunteer applications can be provided in a paper format upon request.
Applicants are provided with telephone and email contact information so that they can contact the organization if they require an accommodation at any point during the hiring/employment process.
Applicants are informed that we will work with them to meet their unique needs and that all requests for accommodation will be handled with strict confidence. Forest Cliff Camp Directors will work with hired individuals who request accommodation to develop an effective plan for the best accessibility in their physical work environment, their duties and the provision of feedback and evaluations.
Our newly built Staff Cabin offers accessible staff housing options.
Procurement
Forest Cliff Camp considers the accessibility of new purchases for customers of varying levels of ability.
Our recent redesign of our High Adventure Course was designed to be accessible to persons with physical disability and Forest Cliff uses the appropriate accessibility devices and high adventure accessibility training to ensure all customers have the opportunity to benefit from the experience.
Training
All staff receive training on how to appropriately interact with individuals with disabilities prior to the camp season, according to the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act.
Design of Public Spaces
Forest Cliff designs capital projects around creating barrier free accommodations and facilities. All of our new public buildings are accessible.
We added ramps to 9 of our Summer Camp cabins in the last 4 years.
Our choice of Day Camp sites are chosen based on their accessibility, to be as barrier free as possible.
Other
Throughout camp programming, songs include both the written words and actions. Camp activities are adapted to the participant’s abilities and assistive devices are used appropriately.
The camp schedule is flexible and can be altered to accommodate a participant’s needs.
Section Two: Strategies and Actions
The following identifies the projects and programs that Forest Cliff Camp plans between now and 2021 to meet the requirements of the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act and to remove and prevent barriers to people with disabilities.
Customer Service
Forest Cliff Camps is committed to providing accessible customer service to people with disabilities. This means that we will provide goods and services to people with disabilities with the same high quality and timeliness as others.
Forest Cliff Camp will continue to review programming and activities to ensure accessibility – annually until 2021.
Forest Cliff Camp will continue to provide accessible customer service through phone, in person, e-mail and contact forms and will review and respond to customer service feedback – annually until 2021.
Forest Cliff Camp will continue to train staff in the Customer Service Standard – annually until 2021.
Information and Communications
Forest Cliff Camps is committed to making our information and communications accessible to people with disabilities.
Forest Cliff will continue to ensure that our website is WCAG 2.0 – Level A
The Forest Cliff website will be WCAG 2.0 – Level AA – by 2021
Forest Cliff will continue to monitor the accessibility of communications and will continue to provide a variety of means to access communications such as phone, email, website, mail, and in person.
Employment
Forest Cliff Camps is committed to fair and accessible employment practices.
Forest Cliff will consult with designers to ensure any future staff housing builds are accessible – now until 2021.
Forest Cliff will ensure that staff are aware of the opportunity to inform supervisors of the need for alternate accessibility. Staff are informed before completing an application, upon employment offer, and throughout training – continued each hiring season until 2021.
Procurement
Forest Cliff Camps is committed to accessible procurement processes.
Forest Cliff will consider the accessibility of future purchases for camp programming and facility enhancement and will make decisions based on the best accessible option – now until 2021.
Training
Forest Cliff Camps 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.
Forest Cliff will train staff and volunteers in accessible customer service and work related accessibility as soon as is practicable and will maintain written records of individuals trained – each hiring season now until 2021.
Design of Public Spaces
Forest Cliff Camps will meet accessibility laws when building or making major changes to public spaces.
Forest Cliff will add and enhance accessible pathways across the camp property – each camp season until 2021.
Forest Cliff will do its best to prevent service disruptions to the accessible parts of our public spaces and will provide accessible alternatives should a disruption be unavoidable – not until 2021.
For More Information
For more information on this accessibility plan, please contact us by phone at 519-913-2744 ext. 100 or by email at info@forestcliff.ca or check out our website at www.forestcliff.ca. Standard and accessible formats of this document are free upon request.
Forest Cliff Camp Accessibility Plan, Updated February 2019