Lawlor Therapy Support Services Accessibility Policy

Lawlor Therapy Support Services inc. is committed to ensuring equal access and participation for people with disabilities. We are committed to treating people with disabilities in a way that allows them to maintain their dignity and independence. We believe in integration and we are committed to meeting the needs of people with disabilities in a timely manner. We will do so by removing and preventing barriers to accessibility and meeting our accessibility requirements under the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act and Ontario’s accessibility laws.

Providing Goods, Services or Facilities to People with Disabilities

Lawlor Therapy Support Services Inc. is committed to meeting its current and ongoing obligations under the Ontario Human Rights Code respecting non-discrimination. Lawlor Therapy Support Services Inc. understands that obligations under the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act, 2005 (AODA) and its accessibility standards do not substitute or limit its obligations under the Ontario Human Rights Code or obligations to people with disabilities under any other law. Lawlor Therapy Support Services Inc. is committed to excellence in serving all customers including people with disabilities. Our accessible customer service policies are consistent with the principles of independence, dignity, integration and equality of opportunity for people with disabilities.

Training  

Lawlor Therapy Support Services Inc. is committed to training all staff and volunteers in accessible customer service, other Ontario’s accessibility standards and aspects of the Ontario Human Rights Code that relate to persons with disabilities. Lawlor Therapy Support Services Inc. will provide accessible customer service training to:

a) all persons who participate in developing the organization’s policies; and

b) all other persons who provide services or facilities on behalf of the organization

Training of our employees and volunteers on accessibility relates to their specific roles. Staff will be trained on accessible customer service within one month after being hired. Training includes:

1. Purpose of the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act, 2005 and the requirements of the Customer Service Standards
2. Lawlor Therapy Support Services Inc.’s policies related to the customer service standard how to interact and communicate with people with various types of disabilities
3. How to interact with people with disabilities who use an assistive device or require the assistance of a service animal or a support person
4. How to use the equipment or devices available on-site or otherwise that may help with providing services to people with disabilities. Lawlor staff are trained and supervised by Occupational Therapists and Physiotherapist on individual assistive devices based on the needs of their clients. Lawlor’s Tech Training Manager assists customer/clients with visual and auditory and cognitive impairments through the use of software, screen readers and other devices.
5. What to do if a person with a disability is having difficulty in accessing our organization’s services or facilities.

We maintain records (certificates) of the training provided including the dates on which the training was provided and the number of individuals to whom it was provided.

Assistive Devices  

People with disabilities may use their personal assistive devices when accessing our goods, services or facilities. In cases where the assistive device presents a significant and unavoidable health or safety concern or may not be permitted for other reasons, other measures will be used to ensure the person with a disability can access our services or facilities. Our staff are trained and familiar with various assistive devices that may be used by customers/clients with disabilities while accessing our services or facilities.

 Accessible Formats and Communication Supports

Lawlor Therapy Support Services Inc. is committed to ensuring that persons with disabilities have access to information in formats that meet their accessibility needs. Upon request, Lawlor Therapy Support Services Inc. will provide or arrange for the provision of accessible formats and communication support i.e., using a translator, hearing impaired devices, or augmentative communication devices, for persons with disabilities: In a timely manner that takes into account the individual’s accessibility needs due to disability; and at a cost that is no more than the regular cost charged to other individuals for the same information. Lawlor Therapy Support Services Inc. will consult with the individual making the request to determine the most appropriate accessible format or communication support.

Service Animals

We welcome people with disabilities and their service animals. Service animals are allowed on our premises that are open to the public. When we cannot easily identify that an animal is a service animal, our staff may ask a person to provide documentation from a regulated health professional that confirms the person needs the service animal for reasons relating to their disability. If service animals are prohibited by another law, we will explain why the animal is excluded and/or discuss with the customer/client another way of providing services or access to facilities.

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, the Lawlor Office.  In certain cases, Lawlor Therapy Support Services Inc. might require a person with a disability to be accompanied by a support person for the health or safety reasons of the person with a disability or others on the premises. Before making a decision, Lawlor Therapy Support Services Inc. will consult with the person with a disability to understand their needs, consider the health or safety reasons based on available evidence, and determine if there is no other reasonable way to protect the health or safety of the person or others on the premises.

Notice of Temporary Disruption  

In the event of a planned or unexpected disruption to services or facilities for customers/clients with disabilities Lawlor Therapy Support Services Inc. will notify customers/clients promptly via emails and phone calls and a posted notice will be applied to our office door.  The notice/ contact will include information about the reason for the disruption, its anticipated length of time, and a description of alternative facilities or services, if available.

Feedback Process

The goal of Lawlor Therapy Support Services Inc. is to meet and surpass expectations while serving individuals with disabilities. Comments on our services regarding how well those expectations are being met are welcomed and appreciated. Feedback regarding the way the Lawlor Therapy Support Services Inc. provides services to people with disabilities can be made by contacting: Email: angie@Lawlortherapy.com Call: 905-451-1772  Lawlor will provide communication supports in an accessible format as requested. This may include an interpreter or technology that assists clients/customers in providing feedback.

Upon receipt of the feedback or complaints, regardless of the format, customers/clients shall receive a response acknowledging receipt of the feedback within two (2) business days and the actions that will be taken to address any issues. Feedback received by telephone, mail, email, or in-person with Employees working in the field shall be acknowledged in accordance with this Policy. All accessibility feedback shall be reviewed by the Director of Services, Angela Cunningham, to improve the Lawlor’s services. The Director, may forward the feedback to the responsible area, and will follow up as appropriate.

If the customer/ client wishes to remain anonymous or indicates that receipt of acknowledgement or a response is not required, the customer’s/client’s anonymity must be respected. LAWLOR Therapy Support Services Inc. will ensure our feedback process is accessible to people with disabilities by providing or arranging for accessible formats and communication supports, on request.

Website Policy
Customers who wish to provide feedback on the way Lawlor Therapy Support Services Inc. provides goods, services or facilities to people with disabilities can provide feedback in the following way(s):Via email Lawlor@Lawlortherapy.com and contacting our office at 905-451-1772

Notice of Availability of Documents   

All documents required by the AODA, shall be available upon request, subject to the Freedom of Information Policy. Any document(s) provided in an alternate format as part of the freedom of information process will not incur any additional charge other than what is defined in the Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act (FIPPA).

When providing these documents to a person with a disability, Lawlor shall endeavour to provide the document, or the information contained in the document, in a format that takes the person’s disability into account.

Lawlor will consult with the person making the request in determining suitability of an accessible format or communication support. Contact the Lawlor office at 905-451-1772 or Lawlor@Lawlortherapy.com.

2020 AODA Accessibility Compliance Report 

2023 AODA Accessibility Compliance Report

Employment. At Lawlor Therapy Support Services Inc., we are committed to fair and accessible employment practices that are in compliance with the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act, 2005.

Recruitment and Hiring

• We will notify employees, job applicants, and the public that accommodations are available upon request during all stages of the recruitment and hiring process.
• Job applicants selected to participate in the selection process will be informed that accommodations are available upon request.
• Successful applicants will be notified of our policies for accommodating employees with disabilities when an offer of employment is made.
• We will inform all employees of available supports for disabilities as soon as practicable after employment begins.
• Employees will be notified of any changes to existing job accommodation policies.
• We will consult with employees to provide suitable accommodation that takes into account their specific accessibility needs.

Accessible Formats and Communication Supports

Upon request, we will consult with employees with disabilities to provide accessible formats and communication supports for:

• Information required to perform their job; and information that is generally available to employees in the workplace.

Workplace Emergency Response Information

• Where needed, we will provide customized emergency response information to employees with disabilities as soon as practicable after we become aware of the need.
• With employee consent, we provide this information to a designated person assigned to assist during an emergency.
• Emergency response information will be reviewed:
  • When the employee moves to a different location within the organization;
  • When the employee’s accommodation needs change; and
  • When we review our general emergency response policies.

Individual Accommodation Plans

• We will maintain a written process for developing individualized accommodation plans for employees with disabilities.

Return to Work

• We will have a documented return to work process for employees who have been absent due to a disability and who require accommodation to return to work.

Performance Management, Career Development & Redeployment

• All employment related processes including performance management, career development, and redeployment take into account the accessibility needs of employees with disabilities and individual accommodation plans, where applicable.

Modifications to this or other Policies

Any policies of Lawlor Therapy Support Services Inc. that do not respect and promote the principles of dignity, independence, integration and equal opportunity for people with disabilities will be modified or removed.

Published: July 23, 2025