ACCESSIBILITY.

This policy is intended to meet the requirements of Accessibility Standards for Customer Service, Ontario Regulation 429/07 under the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act, 2005, and applies to the provision of goods and services to the public or other third parties, not to the goods themselves. 

Studio North Dance Complex Toronto Inc. (“Studio North Toronto”) will strive to provide services in a manner consistent with the principles of dignity, independence, integration and equal opportunity. 

The Provision of Goods and Services to Persons with Disabilities

Studio North Toronto will make every reasonable effort to ensure that its policies, practices and procedures are consistent with the principles of dignity, independence, integration and equal opportunity by:

• Ensuring that all Members receive the same value and quality;

• Allowing Members with disabilities to do things in their own ways, at their own pace when accessing goods and services as long as this does not present a safety risk;

• Using alternative methods when possible to ensure that Members with disabilities have access to the same services, in the same place and in a similar manner;

• Taking into account individual needs when providing goods and services; and

• Communicating in a manner that takes into account the Member's disability.

Assistive Devices 

Persons with disabilities may use their own assistive devices as required when accessing goods or services provided by Studio North Toronto. The provision, use and safety of personal assistive devices are the responsibility of the person with a disability.

In cases where the assistive device presents a safety concern or where accessibility might be an issue, other reasonable measures will be used to ensure that Members are able to access our services.

Guide Dogs, Service Animals and Service Dogs 

Member with a disability that is accompanied by guide dog, service animal or service dog will be allowed access to Studio North Toronto premises that are open to the public unless otherwise excluded by law. “No pet” policies do not apply to guide dogs, service animals and/or service dogs.

Exclusion Guidelines: 

If a guide dog, service animal or service dog is excluded by law (see applicable laws below) Studio North TOronto will offer alternative methods to enable the person with a disability to access goods and services, when possible (for example, securing the animal in a safe location and offering the guidance of an Associate).

There may be rare circumstances where, for reasons of health and safety of another person, allowing a person with a disability to enter a premises accompanied by a service animal needs to be considered. An example of such a situation may include where a person is allergic to animals and adversely affected if they are in close proximity to a service animal. If deemed necessary, a risk assessment will be conducted by Studio North Toronto’s Associates. The risk assessment will include identifying the risks inherent with the service animal being in the area of concern and identify alternate measures available to enable the person with a disability to access Studio North Toronto’s services.

Applicable Laws: 

The Health Protection and Promotion Act, Ontario Regulation 562 Section 60, normally does not allow animals in places where food is manufactured, prepared, processed, handled, served, displayed, stored, sold or offered for sale. It does allow guide dogs and service dogs to go into places where food is served, sold or offered for sale. However, other types of service animals are not included in this exception.

Dog Owners' Liability Act, Ontario: If there is a conflict between a provision of this Act or of a regulation under this or any other Act relating to banned breeds (such as pit bulls) and a provision of a by-law passed by a municipality relating to these breeds, the provision that is more restrictive in relation to controls or bans on these breeds prevails.

Recognizing a Guide Dog, Service Dog and/or Service Animal: If it is not readily apparent that the animal is being used by the Member for reasons relating to his or her disability, Studio North Tronto may request verification from the Member, which may include:

• A letter from a physician or nurse confirming that the person requires the animal for reasons related to the disability;

• A valid identification card signed by the Attorney General of Canada; or,

• A certificate of training from a recognized guide dog or service animal training school.

Care and Control of the Animal: 

The Member that is accompanied by a guide dog, service dog and/or service animal is responsible for maintaining care and control of the animal at all time. The safety and clean up of the service animal is also the responsibility of the person with a disability.

Support Persons 

If a Member with a disability is accompanied by a support person, Studio North Toronto will ensure that both persons are allowed to enter the premises together and that the Member is not prevented from having access to the support person.

Support persons will be required to sign the Guest Sign-in Sheet which includes a liability waiver. In addition, support persons are permitted to enter Studio North Toronto locations for the purposes of providing assistance to Members with a disability only. They are not permitted to provide services that otherwise could be provided by Studio North Toronto Associates, for example Personal Training services.

There may be rare circumstances where, for reasons of health and safety, Studio North Toronto may require a person with a disability to be accompanied by a support person when accessing services at Studio North Toronto’s premises. For example, a Member with a brain injury or mental disorder may be prone to confusion, outbursts or agitation that are best handled by individuals who are properly trained or familiar with the person with a disability.

Where it is necessary to discuss confidential information with a Member, the Member’s consent will be obtained prior to discussing such information with the support worker present.

Guest Fees: 

Support persons will not be required to pay any guest fees to enter our locations when they are attending exclusively to provide support to a Member with a disability. The support person will however be required to fill out the Guest Sign-in Sheet on each visit. The top Guest Sign-In Sheet will then be given to the GM for follow up so they know a support worker is in the club and the carbon copy will be sent to Home Office for tracking.