{"id":3843,"date":"2026-05-01T16:35:42","date_gmt":"2026-05-01T20:35:42","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/gemhealthcare.com\/?page_id=3843"},"modified":"2026-06-12T10:48:37","modified_gmt":"2026-06-12T14:48:37","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>

Review GEM Health Care Service’s 2026 Accessibility Compliance Report here<\/span><\/strong><\/span>.<\/a><\/p>\n

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

GEM Health Care Services (GEM) always strives 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 principles of 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 Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (\u201cAODA\u201d) and the applicable Accessibility Standards.<\/span><\/p>\n

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

This policy applies to all persons accessing GEM services and facilities, including employees, applicants, contractors, agents, volunteers, vendors, visitors, and any third-party individuals or organizations interacting with GEM staff or the public on behalf of GEM. It also applies to all GEM office premises.<\/span><\/p>\n

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

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

Assistive Devices are 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 are 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 communication.<\/span><\/p>\n

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

The definition includes disabilities of varying severity, visible and non-visible disabilities, and disabilities whose effects may be intermittent.<\/span><\/p>\n

IASR means Integrated Accessibility Standards Regulation.<\/span><\/p>\n

Support Persons are individuals, whether paid professionals, volunteers, family members, or friends, who accompany a person with a disability to assist with communication, personal care, medical needs, or access to goods, services, or facilities.<\/span><\/p>\n

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

Unconvertible means it is not technically feasible to convert the information or communication, or the technology required to convert it is not readily available.<\/span><\/p>\n

Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) means the World Wide Web Consortium recommendation dated December 2008 entitled \u201cWeb Content Accessibility Guidelines.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

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

1. General Requirements<\/b><\/p>\n

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