Our Accessible Customer Service Plan
The Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act, 2005 and the Accessibility Standards for Customer Service, Ontario Regulation 429/07 require organizations to create and maintain an “Accessible Customer Service Plan”. The Ottawa Valley Weavers and Spinners Guild Accessible Customer Service Plan 
was created in 2012 to comply with these legislative requirements.
The Ottawa Valley Weavers and Spinners Guild (OVWSG) is committed to excellence in serving all customers including people with disabilities.
Assistive Devices – The OVWSG ensures that members are trained and familiar with various assistive devices that may be used by customers with disabilities while accessing our goods or services.
Communication – The OVWSG communicates with people with disabilities in ways that take into account their disability.
Service Animals – The OVWSG welcomes people with disabilities and their service animals. Service animals are allowed on the parts of our premises that are open to the public.
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.
In the situation where a support person is necessary for the person with a disability to participate in the workshop or OVWSG activity, no fees will be charged for support persons.
In the situation where a support person is not necessary for the person with a disability to participate in the workshop or OVWSG activity, half the fees will be charged for the support person to take the workshop.
We will notify customers of this policy through a notice posted on our premises and our website. In addition workshop registration forms provide an opportunity to request accommodation, including the opportunity to provide a support person.
Notice of temporary disruption
In the event of a planned or unexpected disruption to services to facilities for customers with disabilities attending a workshop or using the library in the Studio, OVWSG will notify customers promptly. The workshop instructor will contact individuals by telephone or email. In addition, a clearly posted notice at the entranceway will include information about the reason for the disruption, its anticipated length of time, and a description of alternative facilities or services, if available.
Training for members
OVWSG provides training to members who deal with the public or other third parties on behalf of the OVWSG.
All members will be trained. A training brochure will be included in the New Member package. In addition, a group review of the training brochure will be provided each January at a general membership meeting or whenever changes are made to our plan.
Training will include:
An overview of the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act, 2005 and the requirements of the customer service standard.
- OVSWG’s plan related to the customer service standard.
- 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 support person.
- How to use the equipment or devices on site. At this time the specific device on site is the elevator.
- What to do if a person with a disability is having difficulty accessing OVWSG’s goods and services.
- Members will also be trained when changes are made to the OVSWG plan.
Feedback process
Members who wish to provide feedback on the way the OVWSG provides goods and services to people with disabilities can email an executive member, speak directly with a member of the executive, or place their written feedback in the suggestion box in the Resource Centre.
All feedback will be directed to the President. Members can expect to hear back in 14 days. Verbal follow up will be provided by the President directly to the member.
Modifications to this or other policies.
Any policy of the OVSWG that does not respect and promote the dignity and independence of people with disabilities will be modified or removed.