|
People With Disabilities: People First
Disability Awareness Training
Accessible Customer Service Training
Are you working for or representing an organization or municipality that is
taking seriously the responsibility of complying with the Accessibility for
Ontarians with Disabilities Act 2005 (AODA)?
Do you know that it's now law in Ontario (effective January 1st, 2008) that all
organizations, in both the public and the private sector, must provide
accessible customer service training to all of their staff who have contact with
the public in any form?
This training is mandated under the Accessible Customer Service Standard
regulations within the AODA. Non-compliance could result in fines of $50,000
to $100,000 per day.
Did you know that people with disabilities are one of the fastest growing
sectors of our population? By the year 2025, we will account for 20% of our
population, that’s 1 in 5 people! Are you ready to address the varied needs
of this segment?
We'll take your team from a place of uncertainty and ambiguity to comfort
and confidence by approaching disability awareness with experiential
sensitivity.
“The simulation exercises and learning about the different kinds of disabilities
was the most positive benefit that our staff received from the training. The
facilitator was passionate about her subject matter, made the learning fun,
and created a learning environment where people could ask questions
comfortably.
“The hands on experience of having a ‘disability’, even if was just for 10
minutes, opened up all our eyes to view things from a different perspective.
Therefore for any future type of training needs that call for this kind of
practical approach, we would definitely contact Changing Paces."
Yvonne Rodney, Director, Career Centre,
University of Toronto
About Disability Awareness Coaching
Our objective is to empower you and the rest of your organization to:
 |
Gain a new awareness about the needs of people with
disabilities and their right to fair and equitable treatment,
|
|
|
Take a closer look at specific types of disabilities,
highlighting similarities as well as differences,
|
|
|
Increase sensitivity about the challenges faced by people with disabilities,
through the use of disability simulation equipment,
|
|
|
Participate in discussion around the benefits of proper disability etiquette
and appropriate language, and
|
|
|
Develop an understanding of the various types of barriers to accessibility.
|
“A lot of material was covered but it didn’t seem overwhelming. It was to
the point and the time lines seemed to work well. Anyone who needed
further discussion was encouraged to contact you directly and that was
also a good opportunity for them.
“The facilitators were very knowledgeable about the information from a
government regulation standpoint and also from a personal standpoint. It
was very interesting for others to hear first hand the difficulties people
face and how they have been able to overcome them.
“The variety of perspectives from the different presenters brought in a
wide spectrum of experience. We would absolutely consider engaging
Changing Paces again in the future.”
Micole Ongman, Program and Aquatic Supervisor,
Town of Whitchurch-Stouffville
About Accessible Customer Service Training
Specifically designed to fulfill the training requirement defined in the
Customer Service Standard of the AODA, including:
|
|
An overview of the purpose, components and vision of the AODA,
|
|
|
A summary of Regulation 429/07, of the Customer Service Standard,
|
|
|
Communication tips, accommodation opportunities and assistive devices relevant for each type of disability,
|
|
|
Experiential exercises to simulate various types of disability in order to provide a genuine perspective to participants,
|
|
|
Understanding the role of service animals and support personnel,
|
|
|
Addressing challenging or ambiguous situations, and.
|
|
|
Group discussion about new perspectives and strategies for handling workplace specific issues. |
“The training was very beneficial for a corporation and for individuals to
realize what barriers that people with disabilities face. The role-playing
allows one to really place themselves into their position.
“Also, the benefit of having people who themselves have disabilities
deliver the training was very helpful because it seems to bring it home.
You begin to realize there are other disabilities besides the ones that you
visually see.
“Placing ourselves in the shoes of others was very powerful. One begins
to realize just how difficult life can be to get around.”
Donna West, HR Administrator – Training,
Town of Markham
About Trish and her Team of Facilitators
|
|
We are completely passionate about ensuring that people with disabilities
are given the accommodation and unconditional respect that they
deserve.
|
|
|
In order for this to happen, education is critically necessary. We see our
role as Disability Awareness Facilitators, as a vital opportunity to advocate
for the equality of people with disabilities and our full integration in
society.
|
|
|
Each facilitator lives a full life in spite of some type of disability. This
enables each one of us to bring a genuine, personal perspective to our
workshops.
|
|
|
Our collective backgrounds span over 70 years working with and
advocating for people with disabilities. This makes our team ideally
suited to coach your committee, department or organization through the
process of gaining the awareness and insight needed to effectively serve
and support this population.
|
“The simulation exercises helped staff realize how difficult it can be to ask
for help. Feedback from our staff was very positive.
“The facilitator communicated well, was organized and held the
participants interest. Employees felt the training was valuable and would
be applied both at work and in their everyday lives.
“We would definitely engage Changing Paces in the future. In fact, we
have already booked further sessions.”
Tracey McKenzie, Deputy Clerk,
County of Lennox and Addington
According to Statistics Canada (2006) & the Participation and Activity
Limitation Survey (PALS), Ontario reported a disability rate of 15.5%, an
increase from 13.5 in 2001. Population projections estimate that by 2021,
20% or 1 in 5 Ontarians will report living with some form of
disability.
Under the Ontario Human Rights Code and the AODA, people with disabilities
have the legal right to be free from discrimination in employment, services,
goods, facilities and housing.
Disability Awareness and Accessible Customer Service Training will ensure
that your organization is well prepared to support, serve and accommodate
this growing sector of our population.
Contact us today to arrange an on-site workshop to raise the awareness and
expertise of your personnel in providing customer service to people with
disabilities.
Interested in a no-obligation quotation?
Email Trish TODAY and she'll provide you a with
PowerPoint outline and an audio preview
of our interactive training program!
Email Trish NOW!
|
|
