Elora Brewing Company AODA Plan

The Elora Brewing Company is committed to meeting its current and ongoing obligations under the Ontario Human Rights Code respecting non-discrimination.

The Elora Brewing Company understands that obligations under the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act, 2005 (AODA) and its accessibility standards do not substitute or limit its obligations under the Ontario Human Rights Code or obligations to people with disabilities under any other law.

The Elora Brewing Company is committed to complying with both the Ontario Human Rights Code and the AODA.

The Elora Brewing Company is committed to excellence in serving all guests including people with disabilities.

Our accessible guest service policies are consistent with the principles of independence, dignity, integration and equality of opportunity for people with disabilities.

Communication

We will communicate with people with disabilities in ways that take into account their disability. This may include the following:

• Reading our menu out loud 

• Pointing out menu items 

• Communicate through a support people 

We will work with the person with a disability to determine what method of communication works for them.

Service Animals

Service animals are allowed on the parts of our premises that are open to the public.

When we cannot easily identify that an animal is a service animal, our staff may ask a person to provide documentation (template, letter or form) from a regulated health professional that confirms the person needs the service animal for reasons relating to their disability.

A service animal can be easily identified through visual indicators, such as when it wears a harness or a vest, or when it helps the person perform certain tasks.

If service animals are prohibited by another law, we will do the following to ensure people with disabilities can access our goods, services or facilities:

• explain why the animal is excluded

• discuss with the guest another way of providing goods, services or facilities

A regulated health professional is defined as a member of one of the following colleges:

• College of Audiologists and Speech-Language Pathologists of Ontario

• College of Chiropractors of Ontario

• College of Nurses of Ontario

• College of Occupational Therapists of Ontario

• College of Optometrists of Ontario

• College of Physicians and Surgeons of Ontario

• College of Physiotherapists of Ontario

• College of Psychologists of Ontario

• College of Registered Psychotherapists and Registered Mental Health Therapists of Ontario

Support Person

A person with a disability who is accompanied by a support person will be allowed to have that person accompany them on our premises.

If an admission fee is required to access our premises, the support person will not be required to pay said fee to gain admission.

The Elora Brewing Company notifies the public upon request of information with regards to fee/fare for a support person.  We will consult with the person making the request to determine the suitability of the format or communication support.

The Elora Brewing Company may require, in certain circumstances, a person with disabilities to be accompanied by a support person for the health or safety of the person with a disability, or others on the premises. 

Before making this decision, The Elora Brewing Company will consult with the person with a disability to understand their needs, consider health or safety reasons based on available evidence, and determine if there is no other reasonable way to protect the health or safety of the person or others on the premises.

If the Elora Brewing Company determines that a support person is required, we will waive the admission fee (if applicable) for the support person.

Training

The Elora Brewing Company will provide accessible guest service training to:

• all employees and volunteers

• anyone involved in developing our policies

• anyone who provides goods, services or facilities to guests on our behalf.

Staff will be trained on accessible guest service within 30 days after being hired.

Training will include:

• purpose of the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act, 2005 and the requirements of the guest service standard

• The Elora Brewing Company’s policies related to the guest service standard

• how to interact and communicate with people with various types of disabilities

• how to interact with people with disabilities who use an assistive device or require the assistance of a service animal or a support person

• how to use the equipment or devices available on-site or otherwise that may help with providing goods, services or facilities to people with disabilities. These include: 

• what to do if a person with a disability is having difficulty in accessing Elora Brewing Company’s goods, services or facilities

Staff will also be trained when changes are made to our accessible guest service policies.

Feedback Process

The Elora Brewing Company welcomes feedback on how we provide accessible guest service. Guest feedback will help us identify barriers and respond to concerns.

Guests who wish to provide feedback on the way the Elora Brewing Company provides goods, services or facilities to people with disabilities can provide feedback in the following way(s):

• Speaking to service staff/managers

• Reaching out via email

All feedback, including complaints, will be handled in the following manner:

• Feedback will be directed to the General Manager

• Guest can expect to hear back in 24 hours to 48 hours

The Elora Brewing Company will make sure our feedback process is accessible to people with disabilities by providing or arranging for accessible formats and communication support, on request.

Notice of Availability of Documents

The Elora Brewing Company notifies the public that documents related to accessible customer service are available upon request.  The Elora Brewing Company will provide these documents in an accessible format or with communication support, on request.  We will consult with the person making the request to determine the suitability of the format or communication support.  We will provide the accessible format in a timely manner at no additional cost.

Modifications to this or other policies

Any policies of the Elora Brewing Company that do not respect and promote the principles of dignity, independence, integration and equal opportunity for people with disabilities will be modified or removed.

People with Disabilities

1 in 7 people in Ontario have a disability. That’s almost 2 million Ontarians. By 2036, that number will rise to 1 in 5 as people age.

Over the next 20 years, aging Ontarians and people with disabilities will represent 40% of total income in Ontario. That’s $536 billion.

People with disabilities are a growing market that businesses can’t afford to overlook.

Ontario has laws to ensure all Ontarians can access your organization’s goods, services or facilities.

Barriers to Accessibility

Barriers to accessibility are obstacles that make it difficult — sometimes impossible — for people with disabilities to do the things most of us take for granted, like shopping, working or taking public transit.

For example, a clothing store with a no-refund or return policy creates a barrier if the fitting rooms are not wheelchair accessible and a person can’t try on the clothes before purchasing them. Providing exemptions to this policy removes the barrier.

A dance studio offers their class schedule in paper format at the front desk. When a guest with low vision asks for the schedule in braille, the manager explains that it is not available in braille, but is available in an accessible format on the studio’s website. This works for the guest because she has a screen reader at home that reads content displayed on the website.

Notice of temporary disruption

In the event of a planned or unexpected disruption to services or facilities for guests with disabilities the Elora Brewing Company will notify guests promptly. This clearly posted notice will include information about the reason for the disruption, its anticipated length of time, and a description of alternative facilities or services, if available.

Services/Facilities include:

• 2nd floor loft

The notice will be made publicly available in the following ways:

• Via phone call or email

The Law

The law requires your organization to identify those barriers, and remove them, in order to provide guest service that is more accessible to people who have disabilities.

These requirements apply to organizations that:

• serve the public

• provide goods, services or facilities to other businesses or organizations (e.g.manufacturers, wholesalers and professional services have other businesses as their guests)