Township of Guelph/Eramosa

Accessible Customer Service Policy
Ontario’s first accessibility standard, the Accessibility Standards for Customer Service, came into effect on January 1, 2008. Established under the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act, 2005 (the “AODA”), the standard states what organizations in Ontario must do to make their goods and services more accessible to people with disabilities.

The Township of Guelph/Eramosa has established an Accessible Customer Service Policy (pdf) approved by Council to ensure municipal goods and services are provided in a way that respects the dignity, independence, integration and equal opportunity for all people.

If you would like to request a document in an alternative format, which takes into account your accessibility needs, please fill out the Request for Alternative Format form (pdf form) or contact Meaghen Reid, Clerk at mreid@get.on.ca or by calling 519-856-9596 ext. 107.

The Township welcomes customer service feedback (pdf form) on its delivery of accessible services. If you would like to access this form in an alternative format, please contact email Meaghen Reid, Clerk at mreid@get.on.ca or call 519-856-9596 ext. 107.

If, in order to obtain, use or benefit from a provider’s goods or services, people with disabilities usually use particular facilities or services of the provider (for example, elevators) and if there is a temporary disruption in those facilities or services in whole or in part, the Township of Guelph/Eramosa shall give notice of the disruption to the public.

Notices will be posted on the premises of the service disruption as well as the Public Notices page of the Township’s website. To access the Public Notices page, please click here.

The Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act, 2005 (AODA), is a law passed by the Ontario legislature in 2005, which allows the government to develop specific standards for accessibility and enforcement of the standards.

Recognizing the history of discrimination against persons with disabilities in Ontario, the purpose of the Act is to develop, implement and enforce accessibility standards in order to achieve accessibility for Ontarians with disabilities with respect to goods, services, facilities, accommodation, employment, buildings structures and premises on or before January 1, 2025. It is envisioned by the provincial government that Ontario will be accessible and barrier-free by 2025.

The purpose of the accessibility standards is to move organizations in Ontario forward on accessibility. The intent of these standards is to move Ontario step by step towards accessibility that is widespread and commonplace, accessibility that people with disabilities can count on, on a daily basis, and a society that will fully benefit from the contributions, involvement and spending power of people with disabilities.

Further, increasing the standards for accessibility will help prepare Ontario for the future. As the population ages, the number of people with disabilities will increase. Visitors and tourists, along with their friends and family will need to travel, shop, use programs, services, and information and to access buildings, parks, and other places in a way that is accessible to them.

The Province has, or is currently in the process of, creating accessibility standards in five areas, which include:

To learn more about the regulations under the AODA, please visit the Ministry of Community and Social Service’s website at www.accesson.ca