Providing Goods and Services to People with Disabilities
The School of Toronto Dance Theatre (the School) is committed to excellence in serving all customers including people with disabilities.
Assistive devices
We will ensure that our staff are trained and familiar with various assistive devices that may be used by customers with disabilities while accessing our goods or services.
Communications
We will communicate with people with disabilities in ways that take into account their disability.
Support persons
A person with a disability who is accompanied by a support person will be allowed to have that person accompany them on our premises.
We will notify customers of this through a notice posted on the bulletin board outside of the School office and on our website.
Notice of temporary disruption
In the event of a planned or unexpected disruption to services or facilities for customers with disabilities The School of Toronto Dance Theatre will notify customers 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.
The notice will be placed on the bulletin board outside of the School office and on our website.
Training for staff
The School of Toronto Dance Theatre will provide training to employees, volunteers and others who deal with the public or other third parties on their behalf.
Individuals in the following positions will participate in an on-site training session:
- Artistic Director
- General Manager
- Artistic Associates
- Training & Performance Associate
- Artistic Coordinator – Professional Programs
- Communications and Development Coordinator
- Student Services Coordinator
- Administrative Assistant
Individuals in the following positions, who are contract workers, will complete the e-training module:
- Faculty
- Guest Artists
- Choreographers
- Accompanists
- Student receptionists
- Volunteers
- Other third parties acting on behalf of the School
This training will be provided to staff within a month of their start date.
Training will include:
- An overview of the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act, 2005 and the requirements of the customer service standard’s plan
- The School of Toronto Dance Theatre’s relation to the customer 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 manage requests for theatre access
- What to do if a person with a disability is having difficulty in accessing services and information
Staff will also be trained when changes are made to our plan.
Feedback process
Customers who wish to provide feedback on the way The School of Toronto Dance Theatre provides goods and services to people with disabilities can e-mail or speak with the General Manager directly as noted on our website.
All feedback will be directed to the General Manager. Customers can expect to hear back within five business days.
Complaints will be addressed according to our organization’s regular complaint management procedures.
Modifications to this or other policies
Any policy of The School of Toronto Dance Theatre that does not respect and promote the dignity and independence of people with disabilities will be modified or removed.
Physical access
At present, our building is not fully accessible to individuals with physical disabilities. However, we are working on rectifying this issue, in accordance with the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act, 2005, as we plan for future capital improvements.