This policy and procedure applies to the provision of goods and services by the Mississippi Madawaska Land Trust (MMLT) to persons with disabilities.

 Definitions

 “Disabililty” means,

1.  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,
2. a condition of mental impairment or a developmental disability,
3. a learning disability, or a dysfunction in one or more of the processes involved in understanding or using symbols or spoken language,
4. a mental disorder, or
5. an injury or disability for which benefits were claimed or received under the insurance plan established under the Workplace Safety and Insurance Act, 1997.

Accessibility Standards

While the wild nature of most properties protected by the MMLT limits access, efforts will be made, where feasible, to make these properties and MMLT events accessible to people with disabilities through:

1.  the selection of accessible public meeting spaces should be one of the criteria for MMLT meetings,
2. assistive devices should be accommodated wherever possible, and
3. signage, printed material and the MMLT website will include the degree of difficulty when promoting MMLT wilderness trails.

Communication 

When we provide goods and services we will take reasonable steps to communicate with people with disabilities in ways that take into account their disability:

1. printed material will be easily understood and printed in a font style and size that is clearly legible,
2. all communication shall be either in person, by telephone, by letter, by email or posted on the MMLT website,
3. where warranted MMLT staff/volunteer shall visit people with disabilities at their residence or place of business, and
4. when communicating financial or other personal information with a person with a disability, if a support person is present the MMLT staff/volunteer will ascertain if there is consent from all that the support person may be present.

Support Persons and Service Animals 

Support persons and service animals are allowed on parts of the our properties that are open to the public.  In the case of an event where admission is charged or food is sold, the support person will be given free admission and will only be charged for the food consumed.

Notice of Temporary Disruption 

In the event of a planned or unexpected disruption to services or facilities for people with disabilities, the MMLT will notify people by a clearly posted notice that includes information about the disruption, its anticipated length of time, and a description of alternate facilities or services, if available.  This notice will be placed at the entrance to the properties affected.

Training for Staff 

The MMLT will provide training to employees and volunteers who deal with the public on its behalf.

Training will consist of:

1. an overview of the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act, 2005 and the requirements of the customer service standard,
2. an overview of MMLT’s policy,
3. how to interact with people with various types of disabilities,
4. how to interact with people with disabilities who use an assistive device or require the assistance of a service animal or support person, and
5. what to do if a person with a disability is having difficulty accessing goods and services from MMLT.

Feedback Process 

People who wish to provide feedback on the way that MMLT provides services to people with disabilities can do so by contact the Program Manager by email at [email protected] or by letter to the Mississippi Madawaska Land Trust, 10970 Hwy 7, Carleton Place, ON  K7H 3P1.  All feedback will be directed to the Board of Directors and a response will be returned following the earliest board meeting after the comment is received.  Complaints will be dealt with following the above procedure.

Modification of this or other policies 

Any policy of the MMLT that does not respect and promote dignity and independence of people with disabilities will be modified or removed.