{"id":3843,"date":"2026-05-01T16:35:42","date_gmt":"2026-05-01T20:35:42","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/gemhealthcare.com\/?page_id=3843"},"modified":"2026-05-01T16:35:42","modified_gmt":"2026-05-01T20:35:42","slug":"accessibility-policy","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/gemhealthcare.com\/index.php\/gem-healthcare-home-2\/accessibility-policy\/","title":{"rendered":"Accessibility Policy"},"content":{"rendered":"

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Accessibility Policy<\/h1>\n<\/div>[\/vc_column_inner][\/vc_row_inner][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row full_width=”stretch_row” enable_first_overlay=”true” first_overlay_opacity=”50″ first_background_type=”image” first_background_image=”889″ first_background_position=”top-center” first_background_image_size=”full” first_background_repeat=”repeat” enable_first_overlay_scrolling=”true” first_overlay_speed=”25″ enable_second_overlay=”true” second_overlay_opacity=”100″ second_background_type=”gradient” second_background_gradient=”#ffffff||rgba(255,255,255,0)||0;27||180||linear” enable_parallax=”true” parallax_background=”2646″][vc_column][vc_empty_space height=”400px”][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row css=”.vc_custom_1585755191576{padding-top: 50px !important;}”][vc_column width=”2\/3″ css=”.vc_custom_1585755607534{padding-right: 30px !important;}”]

Accessibility Policy<\/h2>\n<\/div>

Purpose<\/strong><\/span><\/h3>\n

GEM Health Care Services (GEM) strives at all times to provide goods, services, facilities, and employment in a way that respects the dignity and independence of persons with disabilities and is committed to removing any barriers that may prevent people with disabilities from accessing the organization and\/or its services. GEM is committed to the tenets of respect for dignity, independence, integration and equal opportunity for all persons. This policy and its procedures address GEM\u2019s commitments to accessibility and the requirements of the\u00a0<\/span>Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act<\/span><\/i>\u00a0(\u201c<\/span>AODA<\/b>\u201d) and the AODA Standards.<\/span><\/p>\n

Scope<\/b><\/span><\/h3>\n

This policy applies to all GEM clients, employees, contractors, agents, volunteers, vendors, and any third-party relationships that are in contact with GEM clients and\/or staff. It also applies to all GEM office premises.<\/span><\/p>\n

Definitions<\/b><\/span><\/h3>\n

Accessible Formats<\/b>\u00a0may include, but are not limited to, large print, recorded audio and electronic formats, braille, and other formats usable by persons with disabilities.<\/span><\/p>\n

Accommodation<\/b>\u00a0means the special arrangement made or assistance provided so that persons with disabilities can participate in the experiences available to persons without disabilities. Accommodation will vary depending on the person\u2019s unique needs.<\/span><\/p>\n

Assistive Devices<\/b>\u00a0are supporting aids such as communication aids, cognition aids, personal mobility aids and medical aids (e.g., canes, crutches, wheelchairs or hearing aids).<\/span><\/p>\n

Communication Supports<\/b>\u00a0are devices or tools to aid communication between two or more individuals and may include, but are not limited to, captioning, alternative and additional communication, plain language, sign language and other supports that help with effective communications.<\/span><\/p>\n

Disability<\/b>\u00a0means (a) any degree of physical disability, ailment, malformation or disfigurement that is caused by bodily injury, birth defect or illness and may include but is not limited to diabetes mellitus, epilepsy, a brain injury, any degree of paralysis, amputation, lack of physical co-ordination, blindness or visual impediment, deafness or hearing impediment, muteness or speech impediment, or physical reliance on a guide dog or other animal or on a wheelchair or other remedial appliances or device; (b) a condition of mental impairment or a developmental disability; (c) a learning disability, or a dysfunction in one or more of the processes involved in understanding or using symbols or spoken language; (d) a mental disorder; or (e) an injury or disability for which benefits were claimed or received under the insurance plan established under the Workplace Safety and Insurance Act. The definition includes disabilities of different severity, visible as well as non-visible disabilities, and disabilities the effects of which may come and go.<\/span><\/p>\n

IASR<\/b>\u00a0means Integrated Accessibility Standards Regulation<\/span><\/p>\n

Support Persons<\/b>\u00a0are any persons, whether a paid professional, volunteer, family member, or friend, who accompany a person with a disability in order to help with communications, personal care or medical needs, or with access to goods or services.<\/span><\/p>\n

Service Animals<\/b>\u00a0are animals individually trained to do work or perform tasks for the benefit of a person with a disability.<\/span><\/p>\n

Unconvertible<\/b>\u00a0means it is not technically feasible to convert the information or communication or that the technology to convert the information or communication is not readily available.<\/span><\/p>\n

Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG)<\/b>\u00a0means the world wide web consortium recommendation dated December 2008 entitled \u201cWeb Content Accessibility Guidelines\u201d.<\/span><\/p>\n

Procedures<\/b><\/span><\/h3>\n
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  1. General Requirements<\/b><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

    GEM shall use every effort to ensure that it and all its representatives meet the needs of people with disabilities in a respectful and timely manner. To do so, GEM shall:<\/span><\/p>\n