Accessibility & Accommodation Policy

Our Commitment to Accessibility

We are StartSafe Training & Consulting, Inc. ("StartSafe"), and we are committed to providing training, fit testing, consulting, customer service, website information, and other services in a manner that respects the dignity, independence, integration, and equal opportunity of people with disabilities.

We aim to identify and reduce accessibility barriers where reasonably possible and to consider individual accommodation needs when delivering our services.

Our accessibility practices are intended to reflect applicable Ontario accessibility and human-rights requirements, including the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act, 2005 and the Ontario Human Rights Code.

Requesting Accommodation

Customers and participants are encouraged to contact us if they require accommodation to access or participate in one of our services.

Accommodation may relate to:

• Registering for training
• Attending a course
• Participating in practical training
• Completing an assessment
• Attending a respirator fit-testing appointment
• Accessing our training facility
• Receiving information
• Communicating with us
• Using another service we provide

Where possible, please contact us as early as reasonably possible before the scheduled service. Advance notice can provide more time to arrange an appropriate accommodation.

A request will not automatically be denied simply because it was made closer to the service date. We will make reasonable efforts to address requests based on the circumstances.

You do not need to use special legal or medical terminology when requesting accommodation. Simply tell us about the barrier you are experiencing or the support you require.

Accessible Communication & Formats

We will communicate with people with disabilities in a way that takes their disability-related needs into account.

Depending on the situation, this may include:

• Communicating in writing instead of verbally
• Providing information electronically
• Reading information aloud
• Using plain-language explanations
• Allowing additional communication time
• Communicating through a support person where appropriate
• Providing larger text
• Adjusting the format of written information

Where an accessible format or communication support is requested, we will consult with the individual to determine an appropriate option.

Accessible information will be provided in a timely manner and at no additional charge beyond what would normally be charged for the information.

If a particular format cannot reasonably be provided, we will discuss alternative ways of providing the information.

Training & Course Accommodations

We will make reasonable efforts to support participants with disabilities during training, assessments, practical activities, and respirator fit-testing appointments.

Possible accommodations may include:

• Digital or accessible training materials
• Enlarged text
• Additional explanation from an instructor
• Seating or positioning adjustments
• Alternative communication methods
• Additional time where permitted
• Support person assistance where appropriate
• Other reasonable modifications based on individual needs

Essential course and certification requirements

Accommodation is intended to support meaningful participation. It does not automatically remove requirements that are essential to course completion, certification, competency, regulatory requirements, approved training standards, or health and safety.

Before determining that a particular accommodation cannot be provided, we will consider whether another reasonable method could allow the participant to satisfy the essential requirement.

Participants will be assessed individually rather than being automatically excluded because of a disability.

Health and safety

Accommodation must also take legitimate health and safety requirements into account.

We will not refuse an accommodation based simply on assumptions, stereotypes, general concerns, or inconvenience. Where a genuine safety concern exists, we will consider the actual circumstances and explore reasonable alternatives.

Respirator fit testing

We will make reasonable efforts to accommodate people with disabilities during respirator fit testing. However, accommodation cannot change the technical requirements necessary to conduct a valid fit test.

Participants must still be able to meet applicable requirements relating to the respirator, facial seal, test procedures, required exercises, and valid test results.

Assistive Devices

People with disabilities may generally use their own assistive devices when accessing our services.

Assistive devices may include:

• Wheelchairs
• Walkers
• Canes
• Other mobility devices
• Hearing devices
• Communication devices
• Personal electronic accessibility tools
• Other assistive equipment

Our staff will not handle or move a person's assistive device without permission unless there is a legitimate reason to do so.

If an assistive device cannot safely be used during a particular training activity, we will discuss alternative methods with the participant where reasonably possible.

Service Animals

People with disabilities may generally be accompanied by a service animal in areas of our premises that are open to customers or the public.

Our staff will communicate directly with the person and will not distract, feed, touch, or otherwise interact with a service animal without permission.

The individual remains responsible for the care and control of their service animal.

If a service animal cannot enter a particular area because of a legal restriction or legitimate safety requirement, we will work with the individual to identify another reasonable way to access the service.

Support Persons

People with disabilities may generally have a support person accompany them when accessing our services.

A support person may assist with:

• Communication
• Mobility
• Personal care
• Medical needs
• Understanding information
• Accessing the service

We will communicate directly with the participant whenever possible rather than automatically communicating only through the support person.

Support persons during training

Where a support person is required during training, we will work with the participant to determine how the support person can be present without interfering with course delivery, assessments, other participants, confidentiality, safety requirements, or certification integrity.

A support person is not considered a registered training participant unless they are separately enrolled in the course. They may not complete assessments or demonstrate competency on behalf of the participant.

Fees

We will not charge an additional attendance fee solely because a participant requires a support person as an accommodation.

If the support person also wishes to participate in the course, complete assessments, receive participant materials, or receive certification, they must be registered as a regular participant and the normal course fee will apply.

Training Facility & Off-Site Training

We make reasonable efforts to identify and reduce physical barriers within areas of our training facility that customers and participants use.

Because individual accessibility requirements vary, we encourage customers to contact us before attending if they have specific requirements involving:

• Entrance or building access
• Training-room access
• Seating arrangements
• Washroom access
• Parking
• Mobility within the facility
• Other physical-accessibility needs

We do not represent that every area of our facility will meet every individual accessibility need without advance review.

Private and off-site training

When training is delivered at a customer's workplace or another third-party location, accessibility responsibilities may be shared between us and the organization that controls the location.

We remain responsible for accessibility relating to our training delivery, communication, materials, instruction, and reasonable accommodation of course participation.

Physical features outside our control, such as entrances, elevators, washrooms, parking, or site infrastructure, may remain the responsibility of the customer or facility operator.

Where we are aware of an accessibility requirement for private training, we will communicate with the customer to help identify an appropriate training environment.

Temporary Service Disruptions

If an accessibility-related facility, service, or feature that customers normally rely on becomes temporarily unavailable, we will provide notice where reasonably possible.

Examples may include:

• An accessible entrance becoming unavailable
• An elevator or powered access feature becoming unavailable
• An accessible washroom becoming unavailable
• An online booking or communication system being unavailable
• Another accessibility-related service interruption

Where known, notice may include the reason for the disruption, its expected duration, and any alternative facilities or services that are available.

Notice may be communicated through email, telephone, website information, signage, reception, or another appropriate method.

Weather-related closures or disruptions may also be handled under our Inclement Weather Policy.

Read our Inclement Weather Policy

Website & Online Accessibility

We aim to make our website and customer-facing digital systems clear, usable, and accessible where reasonably possible.

Our website-design approach includes attention to:

• Logical heading structure
• Readable text
• Strong colour contrast
• Meaningful alternative text for relevant images
• Clear button and link labels
• Keyboard accessibility where reasonably possible
• Properly labelled forms
• Responsive layouts across devices

We also use third-party systems for functions such as online bookings, forms, and payments.

If an accessibility barrier prevents you from reasonably using an online system, please contact us. Where reasonably possible, we can provide another method such as telephone assistance, email, or staff-assisted registration.

If you experience difficulty accessing information on our website, we will make reasonable efforts to provide the information another way and consider the reported barrier as part of future website improvements.

Accessibility Feedback

We welcome feedback about the accessibility of our services, facility, training, communication, website, forms, accommodation process, and customer service.

Feedback may be provided by:

• Email
• Telephone
• Contact form
• In person

If you require an accessible method for providing feedback, please let us know.

We will review accessibility concerns, investigate identified barriers where appropriate, and consider reasonable corrective action.

Privacy & Accommodation Information

Accommodation requests may involve personal or disability-related information. We will treat this information confidentially and limit access to individuals who reasonably need it to arrange or provide the accommodation.

We will focus on the functional support required rather than routinely asking for a diagnosis, detailed medical history, or unnecessary medical documentation.

If additional information is genuinely required to understand a functional limitation, appropriate accommodation, or significant health and safety concern, we will request only the information reasonably necessary for that purpose.

Personal information is handled in accordance with our Privacy Policy.

Read our Privacy Policy

Accommodation to the point of undue hardship

We will provide disability-related accommodation to the point of undue hardship as required by applicable Ontario law.

Where one requested accommodation cannot reasonably be provided, we will consider whether an alternative solution can provide meaningful access to the service.