Policy Purpose

The purpose of this policy is to ensure that the Hamilton Public Library provides library services, resources and facilities in ways that are accessible to persons with disabilities. It provides a framework for compliance with the requirements of the Ontarians with Disabilities Act (ODA) and the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA) and addresses specific areas required by the Integrated Accessibility Standards regulation associated with the AODA. This Policy applies to all persons who provide library services including employees, volunteers and all other persons that provide goods, services or facilities on behalf of the Library.

Key Points Summary

• The Hamilton Public Library is committed to providing Library services that are accessible to all persons who wish to obtain and use Library services. Library services will be relevant, inclusive and responsive to community needs. Each member of the community, including persons with disabilities, has an equal opportunity to use and/or to be employed by the Hamilton Public Library.  All library services will be provided in a manner that respects the dignity and independence of persons with disabilities. The Library will strive to provide library services in a way that meets the specific needs of persons with disabilities and in a way that is convenient and accessible to persons with disabilities.
• The Hamilton Public Library will provide communication supports and accessible formats and it will incorporate accessibility design, criteria and features when procuring or acquiring goods, services or facilities, except where it is not practicable to do so.
• The Hamilton Public Library is committed to providing employment accommodation processes for library employees and job applicants. The Library will notify its employees and the public about the availability of accommodation for job applicants and for employees with disabilities.
• The Library will meet the accessibility needs of persons with disabilities in a timely manner. When communicating with a person with a disability, the Library will do so in a manner that takes into account the person’s disability.             

Definitions

• Accessible formats” may include, but are not limited to, large print, recorded audio and electronic formats, braille and other formats usable by persons with disabilities.
• “Assistive devices” are any products, instruments, equipment or technological aids used by persons with disabilities to help prevent, compensate, relieve or neutralize a disability. They may include Braille recorders, recording devices, Bliss symbolics boards or devices, and more.
• A “barrier” is 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.
• “Communication supports” may include, but are not limited to, captioning, alternative and augmentative communication supports, plain language, sign language and other supports that facilitate effective communications.
• "Disability" means:
  • any degree of physical disability, 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 co-ordination, blindness or visual impediment, deafness or hearing impediment, muteness or speech impediment, or physical reliance on a guide dog or other animal or on a wheelchair or other remedial appliance or device,
  • 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” refers to an animal used by a person for reason relating to their disability. An animal is a service animal for a person with a disability if:
  • The animal can be readily identified as one that is being used by the person for reasons relating to the person’s disability, as a result of visual indicators such as the vest or harness worn by the animal; or
  • The person provides documentation from one of the following regulated health professionals confirming that the person requires the animal for reasons relating to the disability:
    • A member of the College of Registered Psychotherapists and Registered Mental Health Therapists of Ontario. O. Reg. 165/16, s. 16
    • A member of the College of Psychologists of Ontario; or
    • A member of the College of Physiotherapists of Ontario;
    • A member of the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Ontario;
    • A member of the College of Optometrists of Ontario;
    • A member of the College of Occupational Therapists of Ontario;
    • A member of the College of Nurses of Ontario;
    • A member of the College of Chiropractors of Ontario;
    • A member of the College of Audiologists and Speech-Language Pathologists of Ontario;
• A “support person” in relations to a person with a disability, is another person who accompanies them in order to help with communication, mobility, personal care or medical needs or with access to goods, services or facilities.