Skip to main content Skip to Navigation Skip to Footer

Accessibility at the Porcupine Health Unit

Statement of organizational commitment  

The Porcupine Health Unit commits to identifying barriers for people with disabilities. The health unit aims to remove and prevent barriers as well. Our goal is to provide people of all abilities with the same level of support and equal access to our services. We make every effort to do this in a way that respects every client’s independence and dignity. We make every reasonable effort to make sure that:  

  • guide dogs or other service animals are welcome.  
  • support persons are welcome.  
  • clients may use assistive devices to access our programs and services.  
  • clients with disabilities are aware of changes that may affect access to services.  
  • the health unit has resources available in accessible formats upon request.  
  • the health unit will offer different ways to give feedback about our services.   

Available feedback options will be on our website and at health unit offices. These guidelines are in line with the Integrated Accessibility Standards, Ontario Regulation 191/11 under the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA), 2005. Here is a summary of the accessibility work that the Porcupine Health Unit has completed.  

General Standard  

  • Developed a plan to put in place the standards required under the AODA.  
  • Created and updated client service and employment policies and procedures. These policies and procedures align with AODA. Our policies and procedures are available to the public in an accessible format upon request. The list of health unit policies and procedures related to the AODA include:  
    • Customer Service Standards  
    • Employees with a Disability  
    • Customer Feedback Form  
    • Official Languages  
    • Equal Access  
    • Code of Conduct  
    • Offered training to all staff about providing a service to individuals with disabilities.  

Information and Communication Standard  

  • Developed a feedback process that complies with the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act, 2005.  
  • Worked with individuals requesting information to determine how to meet their needs.  
  • Worked to incorporate accessibility principles in printed resources and the website to ensure it was in compliance with the AODA requirements.  
  • Developed a process to post emergency and public safety information. This information gets posted on our website and social media pages.
  • Examples of the information included:  
    • emergencies, such as boil water advisories, and  
    • useful information like office closures.  

Employment Standard  

  • Encouraged employees to talk to their managers if the emergency response requirements do not meet their needs.  
  • Created individualized emergency response plans for employees who have varying abilities.  
  • Reviewed procedures for accommodating employees with varying abilities for workplace emergency information.  
  • Ensured emergency response information is accessible to employees with disabilities.  

Moving Forward  

The Porcupine Health Unit commits to maintaining its compliance to AODA. The health unit will:  

  • Review its commitment to accessibility and all accessibility policies on an annual basis.  
  • Submit required reports to the Ministry.  
  • Incorporate best practices into training. Provide training to employees, volunteers, and others.  
  • Encourage the collection of feedback from individuals with disabilities about programs and services.  
  • Incorporate website accessibility features in any procurement processes for new websites.      

The health unit's accessibility policies are available in a variety of formats upon request. Contact the Human Resources Officer to request access to our policies by:  

Refer to the Government of Ontario website (Accessibility in Ontario | ontario.ca) for more information about: 

  • the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act, and    
  • other information related to accessibility in Ontario.    

Feedback  

We welcome and appreciate your feedback and comments. Let us know if our services to people with disabilities meet your expectations.  

You can submit feedback in the following ways:  

  • Completing an online form.
  • Picking up a paper copy of our Client Feedback Form at any one of our offices. You can leave the completed form with reception or send it to us by:  
  • Mail: Human Resources Officer, Porcupine Health Unit, Postal Bag 2012, Timmins, ON P4N 7E2  
  • Fax: 705-264-3980  
  • Email: [email protected]  
  • Telephone:  705-267-1181 or 1-800-461-1818 and ask for the Human Resources Officer  

We aim to make this website and all its content compliant with the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disability Act (AODA) Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) 2.0 Level AA. If any of the content on this site is not accessible, we can provide it to you in an accessible format.

Email [email protected] or call 1-800-461-1818 to request an accessible format.