Policies

Accessibility Plan
October 2013
1.0 Introduction
Discovery North Bay Museum’s Accessibility Plan is based on guidelines provided from the Ontario Accessibility Standard Guidelines created to ensure compliance with the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act. The plan works with guidelines laid out in Discovery North Bay Museum’s Community Policy to ensure that Discovery North Bay Museum offers exhibits and programming which are both physically and intellectually accessible as required by law.

2.0 Providing Goods and Services to People with Disabilities
Discovery North Bay Museum is committed to excellence in serving all customers including people with disabilities.
Assistive devices
· Discovery North Bay Museum will ensure that staff and volunteers are trained and familiar with various assistive devices we have on site or that we provide that may be used by customers with disabilities while accessing our goods or services.
Communication
·       Discovery North Bay Museum will communicate with people with disabilities in ways that take into account their disability.
Service animals
·       Discovery North Bay Museum welcomes people with disabilities and their service animals. Service animals are allowed on the parts of our premises that are open to the public.
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. Fees will not be charged for support persons. We will notify customers of this policy by posting a notice at the museum’s reception desk and on the museum’s website.

3.0 Notice of Temporary Disruption
In the event of a planned or unexpected disruption to services or facilities for customers with 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.
Services/Facilities include:
·       Main floor exhibit access will be available free of charge to persons unable to use the stairs in the event that elevator access is unavailable.
We will notify customers by posting a notice at the museum’s reception desk and on the museum’s website.

4.0 Training
Discovery North Bay Museum will provide accessible customer service training to employees, volunteers and others who deal with the public or other third parties on our behalf. Training will also be provided to people involved in the development of policies, plans, practices and procedures related to the provision of our goods and services.

Individuals in the following positions will be trained:
·       Gift shop staff and volunteers
·       Special event staff and volunteers
·       Educational program staff and volunteers
·       Museum Operating Committee Members

Staff will be trained on Accessible Customer Service within one week after being hired.
Training will include:
·       An overview of the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act, 2005 and the requirements of the customer service standard
·       Discovery North Bay Museum’s related 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 use the equipment or devices available on-site or otherwise that may help with providing goods or services to people with disabilities
·       What to do if a person with a disability is having difficulty in accessing Discovery North Bay Museum’s goods and services
Staff will also be trained when changes are made to our accessible customer service plan.

5.0 Feedback process
Customers who wish to provide feedback on the way Discovery North Bay Museum provides goods and services to people with disabilities can provide feedback in the following way(s):
·       Through written feedback (including email)
·       Through verbal comments (which will be recorded)
The Museum Director/Curator is responsible for responding to all feedback within seven business days.

6.0 Notice of Availability
Discovery North Bay Museum will notify the public that our documents related to accessible customer service are available upon request by posting a notice at the museum’s reception desk and on the museum’s website.

7.0 Review
Discovery North Bay Museum’s Accessibility Plan is approved by the Museum Operating Committee. This plan will be reviewed at least once every three years or at any time when changes are deemed necessary. The Director / Curator will conduct the review in collaboration with staff and volunteers. Reviewed versions will be submitted to the Museum Operating Committee for approval.