Temple Sinai Congregation of Toronto

Temple Sinai Accessibility Commitment

Temple Sinai strives at all times to provide its programs and services in a way that respects the dignity and independence of all people. We are committed to giving people with disabilities access to our programs and services. Temple Sinai affirms that all members and staff shall participate or work or in an environment that acknowledges and promotes equal rights for all persons with disabilities as enshrined in the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms, the Ontario Human Rights Code and the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (2005).

We are committed to:

  1. Creating and maintaining physical facilities and technology to provide accessible, safe and barrier-free environments for all members, staff and the community at large within the limits of available resources.
  2. Communicating with dignity and respect in ways that take into account a person’s disability.
  3. Providing fully accessible telephone service to our congregants.
  4. Serving those who use assistive devices to participate in and benefit from our programs and services.
  5. Welcoming those who are accompanied by a support person or a service animal.
  6. Providing adequate notice in the event of a planned or unexpected disruption in service or facilities.
  7. Providing appropriate training and support to our staff and volunteer members as necessary.
  8. Maintaining an Accessibility Committee that will be responsible for overseeing all issues related to synagogue accessibility.
Summary

Temple Sinai is committed to providing programs and services in a manner that is accessible for persons with disabilities and in accordance with the principles of dignity, independence, integration and equal opportunity.

The policy generally applies to the provision of programs and services to Temple members, members of the community and to staff at Temple Sinai, and, as much as possible, at premises where Temple events are held.

Temple Sinai will make reasonable efforts to ensure that:

  • Persons with disabilities are provided equal opportunity to obtain, use and benefit from the synagogue’s programs and services;
  • Programs and services are provided in a manner that respects the dignity and independence of persons with disabilities;
  • The programs and services provided to persons with disabilities are integrated with the provision to others unless an alternative measure is necessary to allow a person with a disability to benefit; the alternative measure may be temporary or permanent;
  • Communications with a person with a disability are conducted in a manner that takes the person’s disability into account; and, Persons with disabilities may use Assistive Devices, Service Animals and Support Persons as is necessary to access the synagogue’s programs and services, subject to applicable laws.
Scope

This policy applies to employees, board and committee members, school staff, whether paid or volunteer, other volunteers, agents and/or contractors who deal with the public or other third parties that act on behalf of Temple Sinai (caterers, vendors) including when the provision of programs and services occurs off synagogue premises.

This policy shall also apply to all persons who participate in the development of the synagogue policies, practices and procedures governing the provision of programs and services to Temple members, members of the public, staff, or other third parties.

The section of this policy that addresses the use of Service Animals, including Guide Dogs and Service Dogs and Support Persons only applies to the provision of programs and services that take place on Synagogue premises. This policy is intended to meet the requirements of the Accessibility Standards for Customer Service, Ontario Regulation 429/07 under the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act, 2005. While most provisions apply to all synagogue operations, some requirements will apply only to those programs and services offered in Ontario. In general, the definitions set out in the policy’s “Key Terms and Definitions” refer to the laws of Ontario, the policy will be interpreted in a manner consistent with the laws of other applicable Canadian jurisdictions where Temple Sinai may offer off-site programs and or services.

Communications

Temple Sinai will communicate with people with disabilities in ways that take into account their disability. Temple Sinai will train synagogue and school staff, board and committee members and volunteers, who communicate with Temple members, members of the community and other third parties on how to interact and communicate with people with various types of disabilities.

Temple Sinai is committed to providing fully accessible telephone service to our members and to the general public and other third parties. We will train synagogue and school staff to communicate over the telephone in clear and plain language and to speak clearly and slowly.

Temple Sinai will offer to communicate with Temple members, members of the community and other third parties by other means of communication that is suitable to their communication needs (email, tty, relay services, etc.).

Assistive Devices

We are committed to serving people with disabilities who use Assistive Devices to obtain, use or benefit from our programs and services. We will ensure that Temple employees are trained and familiar with various Assistive Devices that may be used by Temple members, members of the community or other members of the general public, while accessing our programs or services.

We will ensure that key employees know how to use the Assistive Devices that are available on our premises.

Use of Service Animals and Support Persons

We are committed to welcoming people with disabilities who are accompanied by a Service Animal (including a Guide Dog or Service Dog) on the parts of our premises that are open to the public and other third parties, subject to applicable laws. We will also ensure that all Temple and school employees, board and committee members, volunteers and others dealing with the public are properly trained in how to interact with people with disabilities who are accompanied by a Service Animal. We are committed to welcoming people with disabilities who are accompanied by a Support Person. Any person with a disability who is accompanied by a Support Person will be allowed to enter the synagogue with his or her Support Person. At no time will a person with a disability who is accompanied by a Support Person be prevented from having access to his or her Support Person while on our premises.

Notice of Temporary Disruption

Temple Sinai will provide notice in the event of a planned or unexpected disruption in synagogue facilities or services usually used by people with disabilities. This notice will include information about the reason for the disruption, its anticipated duration and a description of alternative facilities or services, if available. Notice will be in written Temple material, on our website, and placed at all entrances and in any other location(s) that are reasonable in the circumstances.

Training for Staff

Temple Sinai shall ensure that training is provided to all synagogue and school employees, board and committee members, volunteers and others who deal with Temple members or members of the public or other third parties on its behalf, and all those who are involved in the development and approvals of customer service policies, practices and procedures.

Training will include the following:

  • the purposes of the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act, 2005 and the requirements of 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 use the equipment or Assistive Devices available on synagogue premises or otherwise that may help with the provision of programs or services to people with disabilities,
  • what to do if a person with a disability is having difficulty in accessing the synagogue’s programs or services.

Staff, board and committee members and volunteers will (as much as possible) also be trained on an ongoing basis when changes are made to these policies, practices and procedures. Temple Sinai will keep a record of training that includes the dates training was provided and the number of individuals who attended the training.

Notice of Availability and Format of Documents

Temple Sinai shall notify customers that the documents related to the Accessibility Standards for Customer Service, Ontario Regulation 429/07 are available upon request and in a format that takes into account the person’s disability.

Transportation

When providing transportation for its programs or services, or for educational field trips, Temple Sinai will make every effort to provide accessible vehicles or equivalent services, when requested.

Feedback Process

Comments or questions regarding the way the synagogue provides goods and services to people with disabilities can be made in person, by telephone or tty, in writing, by email, suggestion box, feedback card, etc. All feedback regarding this policy will be directed to Temple Sinai Accessibility Committee. Individuals providing feedback can expect to receive a response within a reasonable period of time. Complaints will be addressed according to the Feedback Process.

Right to Terminate or Amend Policy

Temple Sinai reserves the right to modify, suspend, change, or terminate this policy at any time as required or allowed by law.

Disability, as defined by the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act, 2005, and the Ontario Human Rights Code, refers to:

  • 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 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.

Persons with disabilities are individuals who have a disability as defined above.

Guide Dog is a highly-trained working dog that has been trained at one of the facilities listed in Ontario Regulation 58 under the Blind Persons’ Rights Act, to provide mobility, increased independence and safety for people who are blind.

Service Animal, as referenced in Ontario Regulation 429/07 under the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act, 2005. An animal is a service animal for a person with a disability if:

  • it is readily apparent the animal is used by the person for reasons relating to their disability; or,
  • the person provides a letter from a physician or nurse confirming that the person requires the animal for reasons relating to the disability.

Service Dog, as referenced in Ontario Regulation 562 under the Health Protection and Promotion Act. A dog other than a Guide Dog is a Service Dog if:

  • it is readily apparent to an average person that the dog functions as a service dog for a person with a medical disability; or
  • the person who requires the dog can provide on request a letter from a physician or nurse confirming that the person requires a service dog.

Support Person, as referenced in Ontario Regulation 429/07 under the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act, 2005. A support person means, in relation to a person with a disability, another person who accompanies them in order to help with communication, mobility, personal care, medical needs or access to goods and services.

Assistive Device is a technical aid, communication device or other instrument that is used to maintain or improve the functional abilities of people with disabilities. Personal assistive devices are typically devices that customers bring with them such as a wheelchair, walker or a personal oxygen tank that might assist with hearing, seeing, communicating, moving, breathing, remembering and/or reading.

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.

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.

Our Commitment

Temple Sinai commits to meeting the Employment Standard, under the Integrated Accessibility Standards Regulation. By removing barriers across the employment life cycle, we commit to creating a workplace that is accessible and allows employees to reach their full potential.

The Employment Standard applies to paid employees which includes, but is not limited to, full-time, part-time, paid apprenticeships and seasonal employment. As an institution we also apply this same Standard to our volunteers as well.

The Employment Standard is a framework for integrating accessibility into regular workplace processes. The requirements covered in this section are:

  • Recruitment, assessment and selection
  • Accessible formats and communication supports for employees
  • Workplace emergency response information
  • Documented individual accommodation plans
  • Return to work process
  • Performance management
  • Career development and advancement
  • Redeployment

We are committed to:

  1. Notifying our employees and the public about the availability of accommodations for job applicants with disabilities during our recruitment processes;
  2. Notifying job applicants who participate in a recruitment, assessment or selection process that, where needed, accommodations for disabilities are available to support their participation in the process;
  3. Notifying successful applicants as well as existing employees of our policies for accommodating employees with disabilities;
  4. Consulting with our employees who have disabilities in order to provide them with the accessible formats and communications supports they require to do their jobs effectively and to be informed of information that is generally available to all employees;
  5. Preparing for the specific needs that employees with disabilities may have in emergency situations;
  6. Developing written individual accommodation plans for employees with disabilities;
  7. Ensuring a documented process for supporting employees who return to work after being away for reasons related to their disabilities¹;
  8. Ensuring that performance management processes in place consider the accessibility needs of our employees with disabilities;
  9. Providing career development and advancement opportunities that consider the accessibility needs of our employees who have disabilities; and
  10. Ensuring that redeployment processes will consider the accessibility needs of employees with disabilities when moving them to other positions, so that employees can continue to have their accommodation needs met.

Employees are encouraged to consult with their supervisors should they require any accommodations to perform the essential elements of their job.

Footnote

  1. If an individual‘s illness or injury is covered by the return to work provisions of the Workplace Safety and Insurance Act, then that Act‘s return to work process would apply.
Our Commitment

Temple Sinai commits to meeting the Information and Communications Standard, under the Integrated Accessibility Standards Regulation. By removing barriers to communication with our members and the public, we commit to creating a Temple that is accessible to all.

This policy applies to communications, emergency procedures and plans, public safety information, and websites provided by employees, board and committee members, school staff, whether paid or volunteer, other volunteers, agents and/or contractors who deal with the public or other third parties that act on behalf of Temple Sinai including when communication occurs off synagogue premises.

While most provisions apply to all synagogue operations, some requirements, highlighted within the policy, will apply only to those programs and services offered in Ontario. In general terms, while this policy refers to the laws of Ontario, the policy will be interpreted in a manner consistent with the laws of any other applicable Canadian jurisdictions where Temple Sinai may offer off-site programs and or services.

We are commited to:

  1. Accepting feedback on our accessibility efforts. Our policy on feedback is contained in our Accessibility Policy document and applies to all requirements of the Integrated Accessibility Standard.
  2. Providing accessible formats and communications supports for persons with disabilities in order to provide information and communicate in an accessible manner about our goods, services or facilities. We will do thisConsulting with any person making a request to determine the suitability of an accessible format or communication support.

      in a timely manner that takes into account the person’s accessibility needs due to disability; and

      at a cost that is no more than the regular cost charged to other persons.

  3. Notifying the public about the availability of accessible formats and communication supports.
  4. Providing any emergency procedures, plans or public safety information that Temple Sinai makes available to the public in an accessible format or with appropriate communication supports, as soon as practicable, upon request.
  5. Offering an accessible website in accordance with the AODA requirements.


     

For information regarding accessibility at Temple Sinai,
please contact
marcie-goldberg

Marcie Goldberg
Operations Coordinator

programs@templesinai.net
416.487.4161 ext. 228