Accessibility Policy

The Shore Club Ottawa (known herein as ‘the company’) is committed to providing an accessible environment for all stakeholders, including guests, employees, job applicants, suppliers, and any persons who may enter the premise, work for the company, access information provided by the company, or use the goods and/or services provided. The below policy outlines the company’s strategy for identifying and preventing potential barriers. Upon request, the plan is available in an accessible format.

This policy is intended to meet or exceed the requirements set out under Ontario Regulation 191/11 under the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act, 2005.

Definitions:

Assistive device

Any medical device, mobility or communication aid, or other aid that eases the strains of daily activities for a person with a disability.

Accessible formats

Formats usable to persons with disabilities, including but not limited to large print, multi-language, and audio format.

Disability

Any degree of impairment, be it physical, mental, learning, cognitive, speech, or sensory, whether permanent, temporary, or episodic in nature, which may be evident or not.

Service Dog

A dog that is trained to perform specific tasks to assist a person with a disability and is certified as a service dog.

Support person

Another individual who accompanies a person with a disability to help with communication, mobility, personal care, medical needs, or access to goods and services.

Accessibility Plan

Guests and Suppliers

Assistive Devices

The Shore Club Ottawa has an accessible entrance via the Westin lobby. All guests with disabilities are welcome to use their own assistive devices as required when accessing the goods and services we provide. Where a safety concern related to an assistive device arises, other reasonable measures will be used to ensure access to goods and services.

Tables that are easily accessible will be made available based on the availability of seats at the time of arrival and/or booking. Our online reservation system has been programmed to allow persons with assistive devices to submit a private message to us ahead of time so that we can take every reasonable measure to ensure access to these accessible tables.

Guide Dogs and Service Dogs

We welcome guests with disabilities and their service dog to access our premises that are open to the public unless otherwise excluded by law. Pets do not apply to the service animal and service dog policies.

If a service animal or service dog is excluded by law, a manager of the company will explain the law and provide an alternative option to access the goods and services we provide. For example, the manager may offer to secure the animal in a safe location and offer the assistance of an employee.

Applicable Law: The Health Protection and Promotion Act (HPPA), Ontario Regulation 562 prohibits live animals and birds from entering a premise where food is manufactured, prepared, processed, handled, served, displayed, stored, sold or offered for sale. HPPA provides exemptions to guide and service dogs, to enter a premise where food is served, sold or offered for resale. No other animal is included in the HPPA exemption.

A service dog can be easily identified through visual indicators such as a harness or vest, or where it is evident that the dog functions to assist a person with a disability. When we cannot easily identify the dog as a service dog, our staff may ask for documentation from a regulated health professional that confirms the person needs the service dog for reasons related to their disability. Accepted health professionals: Audiologist, Speech-Language Pathologist, Chiropractor, Nurse, Occupational Therapist, Optometrist, Physicians and Surgeons, Physiotherapist, Psychologist, Registered Psychotherapist, Registered Mental Health Therapist. The guest who is accompanied by the service dog is responsible for maintaining control and care of the animal at all times.

If a health and safety concern related to the service animal arises, such as another guest or a staff member with severe allergies to the animal, the company will make all reasonable efforts to meet the needs of all individuals. Whenever possible, the second individual to enter the premise will be the individual who is moved.

Support Persons

If a guest is accompanied by a support person, the company will ensure that both individuals may enter the premise and be sat together. Every reasonable measure will be taken to provide a seating arrangement that is acceptable to the guest.

Communication and Menus

The Shore Club Ottawa understands the importance of accessible communication tools and does its best to provide accessible formats to all individuals with disabilities. Audio menus are available upon request and will be provided at no additional cost to the guest.

Washrooms

The Shore Club Ottawa provides an accessible washroom that can be easily accessed by all guests with disabilities.

Notice of Disruptions in Service

Service disruptions to key equipment that may prevent a guest with a disability from accessing our goods and services may occur due to reasons that may or may not be within the control or knowledge of the company. In the event of a temporary disruption to these facilities or services, reasonable efforts will be made to provide advanced notice. If notice needs to be posted at the restaurant or communicated to specific reservations directly, the company will include what services are temporarily unavailable, the reason for the disruption, the anticipated duration, and a description of alternative services if available.

Emergencies

The alarm system at The Shore Club Ottawa is auditory and visual. All emergency exits are clearly marked with visual aids.

If an emergency situation occurs at The Shore Club Ottawa, a guest with a disability that requires assistance will receive the aid of an employee of the company.

Training

Training will be provided to all employees, volunteers, agents and/or contractors that deal with the public as a representative of the company. Such training will cover a review of the applicable Provincial Legislation; instructions and guidance on how to communicate with guests with various disabilities; instructions on how to interact with people with disabilities who use assistive devices, require the assistance of a guide dog, service dog, or service animal, or require the use of a support person; instructions on how to communicate service disruptions; and the company’s policies and procedures pertaining to providing accessible hospitality to guests with disabilities.

The Shore Club Ottawa will provide employee training as soon as possible. Training for new employees will be provided as part of the orientation and onboarding process. Revised training will be provided in the event of changes to legislation, policies, or procedures.

Record of training will be kept by the company and will include the date the training was provided and the names of all employees who attended.

Feedback

The Shore Club Ottawa will provide guests with the opportunity to provide feedback on the services provided to guests with disabilities. Information about the feedback process will be readily available to all guests and notice of the process will be made available by using the “contact us” page on our website. Feedback may also be given to any manager verbally or written. If providing feedback in person, it is preferred that you please request to speak with our General Manager, Craig Stevenson.

Guests may also provide feedback by email to humanresources@thecfwgroup.com or by mail to:

The CFW Group
c/o Human Resources
333-610 Granville Street
Vancouver, BC
V6C 3T3

Guests who provide feedback will receive acknowledgement that their comments have been received, along with any resulting actions that may result based on their concerns.

Prospective Employees

Employment

The company will take every reasonable effort to identify, remove, and prevent barriers to employment by developing practices that support and accommodate current and future employees with disabilities.

Recruitment and Hiring

Upon request and in accordance with provincial law, the company will provide accommodations during the recruitment process and, discuss accommodations that may be necessary if the candidate were hired. Successful applicants will be made aware of policies, supports, and accommodations that may be provided upon completion of the recruitment process.

Training and Development

All employees are treated equally with respect to training opportunities, and the company will not discriminate against those who require accommodations. Upon request, training programs will be made available in accessible formats or, easy to convert formats to accommodate the needs of the employee.

Workplace Health and Safety Response

If necessary, the company will create and provide individualized health and safety, and workplace emergency response plans for employees with disabilities. The individualization will consider the employee’s disability and the physical nature of the premise. Such a plan will be created in consultation with the employee. If a support person is required in an emergency, the company will designate one specific employee that is mutually agreed upon.

The Shore Club Ottawa will actively participate in the return-to-work planning and program development for an employee that is injured and/or suffers a medical condition that results in a permanent or temporary disability. The company will work with the employee, their health care team, and local governing bodies to develop an individualized plan.