Providing Services to People with Disabilities

Youthdale Treatment Centres is committed to excellence in serving all clients while accessing services.

Assistive Devices

We will ensure that our staff is trained and familiar with various assistive devices that may be used by clients with disabilities while accessing our services.

Communication

We will communicate with people with disabilities in ways that take into account their disability.

Service Animals

We welcome 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.Fees are not charged to any persons to enter our premises.

Notice of Temporary Disruption

In the event of a planned or unexpected disruption to services or facilities for customers with disabilities, Youthdale Treatment Centres will notify clients promptly. This clearly posted notice will include information about the reason for the disruption, its anticipated length of time, and a description of alternative facilities or services, if available. This notice will be placed at all Reception Desks, elevators, and wheelchair accessible washrooms.

Training for Staff

Youthdale Treatment Centres will provide training to employees and students who deal with the public.This training will be provided to staff within 30 days of being hired.Training will include:An overview of the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act, 2005 and the requirements of the customer service standard. Youthdale Treatment Centres’ plan related to customer service standardHow to interact and communicate with people with various types of disabilitiesHow to interact with people with disabilities who use an assistive device or require the assistance of a service animal or support personHow to use the elevator and the location of the wheelchair ramp and wheelchair accessible washroomsWhat to do if a person with a disability is having difficulty in accessing Youthdale Treatment Centres’ services. Staff will also be trained when changes are made to the plan.

Feedback Process

Customers who wish to provide feedback on the way Youthdale Treatment Centres provides services to people with disabilities can do so by completing the Accessibility Feedback form, by email, in writing, or by telephone.All feedback will be directed to the Director of Administration or their designate.Customers can expect to hear back in a timely manner.Complaints will be addressed according to our organization’s regular complaint management procedures.

Modifications to this or other policies

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

Ongoing research has lead to continuous improvement in Youthdale’s clinical services, with current studies focusing on:The biological, familial, and psycho-social factors that contribute to mental health problems in childrenEffective strategies for treating children with complex emotional, behavioural, cognitive, and neurological difficulties. Our research team consists of child psychiatrists, child psychologists, social workers, registered nurses, and child and youth workers. All are experienced clinicians involved in the day-to-day treatment of children and families at Youthdale.Our collaboration with leading researchers in the medical and university communities ensures the ethical and scientific integrity of all our studies.