Accessible Customer Service Plan

Accessibility Statement of Commitment 

The Royal College of Dental Surgeons of Ontario (“RCDSO” or “The College”) is committed to meeting the accessibility needs of people with disabilities in a timely manner and in a way that respects their dignity and independence.   

The College is committed to being a barrier-free environment for persons with disabilities in employment; in our communication and information; in delivering services; and in the physical spaces where we conduct our work.  

We are committed to ensuring all of our staff and representatives are aware of their responsibility to foster an accessible and inclusive environment for people with disabilities. 

The RCDSO’s AODA policies, planning and provision of services 

In accordance with the Customer Service Standards and the Integrated Accessibility Standards under the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act, 2005, the College will continuously maintain the following documentation:  

  • Accessibility Policy Dec/2023 
  • Multi-Year Accessibility Plan Dec/2023 

Feedback 

The College welcomes your feedback and is continuously taking steps to improve our services. Members of the public who wish to provide feedback on the way the College provides service to people with disabilities, our accessibility plan, barriers you have experienced, or any matter related to accessibility at the College are welcome to contact us. Your request will be replied to within 1-2 business days. 

By email: info@rcdso.org 
By phone: 416-961-6555 / 1-800-565-4591 
6 Crescent Road, Toronto ON M4W 1T1

AODA Policy 

Statement of Commitment 

The Royal College of Dental Surgeons of Ontario (“RCDSO” or “The College”) is committed to meeting the accessibility needs of people with disabilities – including the public, dentists, and community members—in a timely manner and in a way that respects the dignity and independence of people with disabilities. The College will continue to improve accessibility to persons with disabilities in its policies and processes. The College will further these goals by preventing and removing barriers to accessibility and meeting accessibility requirements under the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act, 2005 (the “AODA”). In that regard, The College has established this accessibility policy (the “Policy”) and an Accessibility Standards for Customer Service Policy to meet its obligations under Regulation 191-11, “Integrated Accessibility Standards” (the “Regulation”) under the AODA.  

The College’s vision for accessibility is that people with disabilities, visible or invisible, are given the same opportunity as others to obtain and benefit from services offered by the College. The College’s goal is to make reasonable efforts to provide services in such a way that the key principles of independence, dignity, integration, equity and equality of opportunity for persons with disabilities are respected.  

Communication 

The College will communicate with people with disabilities in ways that take into account their disability. Upon request, we will be prepared to use alternative formats and methods. We will train our staff on how to provide service in a manner that respects various types of disabilities. 

Assistive Devices 

The College is committed to serving people with disabilities who use assistive devices to obtain, use, or benefit from the services or programs we provide. We will ensure our staff are trained and familiar with the various assistive devices that may be used by individuals while accessing our services and programs. 

Use of service animals and support persons 

A “support person” is an individual hired or chosen by a person with a disability to provide services or assistance with communication, mobility, personal care, medical needs or with access to goods and services. If a person with a disability is accompanied by a support person, the College shall ensure that both persons are permitted to enter the premises together and that the person with a disability is not prevented from having access to the support person while on the premises. When confidential information is involved, the consent of the person with the disability will be obtained prior to discussing any confidential information in the presence of the support person. If a person with a disability is accompanied by a guide dog or other service animal the College will permit the service animal to accompany that person in any area of the College. 

Notice of temporary disruption 

In the event of a planned or unexpected disruption to services or facilities for persons with disabilities, the College will promptly notify them. This information will include a clearly posted notice at our physical space and on communications channels and will include information about the reason for the disruption; its anticipated length of time; and a description of alternative facilities or services, if available. 

The notice will be placed at public entrances of our premises where necessary. 

Training for College staff and representatives 

The College will provide training to all staff and others who provide services to the public on behalf of the College. Training will include:  

  • an overview of the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act, 2005 and the requirements of the customer service standard; 
  • the College accessibility commitment statement, accessibility policy and multi-year accessibility plan; 
  • 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; 
  • what to do if a person with a disability is having difficulty in accessing the College’s information and services.  
  • Staff members will also be trained when changes are made to the accessible customer service plan. 

Modifications to this or other policies 

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

Have feedback? We're here to listen.

The College is committed to ensuring that it is providing or arranging for the provision of accessible formats and communication supports for persons with disabilities in a timely manner that considers each person's accessibility needs due to disability.

Please let us know if we are living up to that commitment by leaving your feedback. 

    Thank you for providing your feedback. An RCDSO staff member will be in touch within 1-2 business days.

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