Surrey Place Centre is committed to creating a vibrant community with equal treatment for all. In doing so, Surrey Place Centre strives to provide facilities to accommodate individuals with disabilities by eliminating accessibility barriers. By eliminating these barriers, Surrey Place Centre aspires to create an environment for equal access and opportunity for all.

Surrey Place Centre will notify clients/visitors as soon as possible if there are unexpected disruption to our services for example access to elevator under repair or renovation that will limit access to the facility.

Please click here to download a copy of Surrey Place Centre's Accessibility Compliance Report dated December 2012 – Accessibility Standard For Customer Service

Please click here to download a copy of Surrey Place Centre's Accessibility resource

Please click here to download a copy of Surrey Place Centre's Multi Year Accessibility Plan

What is the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act?

The Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act, 2005 (AODA) is a law in Ontario that allows the government to develop specific standards of accessibility and to enforce them.

AODA Section 1

Recognizing the history of discrimination against persons with disabilities in Ontario, the purpose of this Act is to benefit all Ontarians by: 

• developing, implementing and enforcing accessibility standards in order to achieve accessibility for Ontarians with disabilities with respect to goods, services, facilities, accommodation, employment, buildings, structures and premises on or before January 1, 2025; and
• providing for the involvement of persons with disabilities, the Government of Ontario and of representatives of industries and various sectors of the economy in the development of accessibility standards.

The standards require the people or organizations identified in the standard to identify, remove and prevent barriers for people with disabilities in key areas of daily living. Barriers keep people with disabilities from fully participating in activities that most of us take for granted. The customer service standard is the first standard to come into effect under the AODA.

The Government of Ontario is working with different standards development committees to develop other standards in the areas of transportation, information and communications, the built environment and employment. These committees include people with disabilities or their representatives, business owners, government representatives and members of the public.

The standards development committees propose standards for government consideration and the government may adopt them by regulation. Once adopted by regulation, the standards will impose requirements to make these areas more accessible to people with disabilities. They may apply to private and public sector organizations across Ontario.

Who are people with disabilities?

When we think of disabilities, we tend to think of people who use wheelchairs and who have physical disabilities that are visible and obvious. But disabilities can also be invisible. We cannot always tell who has a disability. The AODA uses the same definition of “disability” as the Ontario Human Rights Code.

AODA Section 2

In this Act, “disability” means, 

• any degree of physical disability, infirmity, malformation or disfigurement that is caused by bodily injury, birth defect or illness and, without limiting the generality of the foregoing, includes diabetes mellitus, epilepsy, a brain injury, any degree of paralysis, amputation, lack of physical coordination, blindness or visual impediment, deafness or hearing impediment, muteness or speech impediment, or physical reliance on a guide dog or other animal or on a wheelchair or other remedial appliance or device,
• a condition of mental impairment or a developmental disability,
• a learning disability, or a dysfunction in one or more of the processes involved in understanding or using symbols or spoken language,
• a mental disorder, or
• an injury or disability for which benefits were claimed or received under the insurance plan established under the Workplace Safety and Insurance Act, 1997.

For more information about the Ontario Human Rights Code, visit: www.ohrc.on.ca, and click on “The Code” under the Resources Section of the website.

What are barriers?

When you think about accessibility, it is important to be aware of both visible and invisible barriers. A barrier is anything that keeps someone with a disability from fully participating in all aspects of society because of their disability.

Attitude is perhaps the most difficult barrier to overcome because it’s hard to change the way people think or behave. Some people don’t know how to communicate with those who have visible or invisible disabilities – for example, assuming someone with a speech problem has intellectual limitations and speaking to them in a manner that would be used with a child; or forming ideas about the person because of stereotypes or a lack of understanding. Some people may feel that they could offend the individual with a disability by offering help, or they ignore or avoid people with disabilities altogether. Remember, attitude is a major barrier that’s within our power to change.

Architectural or structural barriers may result from design elements of a building such as stairs, doorways, the width of hallways and even room layout.

Information and communication barriers can make it difficult for people to receive or convey information. For example, a person who is Deaf cannot communicate via standard telephone. Things like small print size, low colour contrast between text and background, confusing design of printed materials and the use of language that isn’t clear or easy to understand can all cause
difficulty.

Technology, or lack of it, can prevent people from accessing information. Everyday tools like computers, telephones and other aids can all present barriers if they are not set up or designed with accessibility in mind.

Systemic barriers can result from an organization’s policies, practices and procedures if they restrict people with disabilities, often unintentionally – for example, a clothing store with a “no refund” policy and no way for someone in a scooter to enter the change room.

How is Surrey Place Centre Accessible?

Wheelchair Information

• Wheelchair is available at the main entrance please inform the receptionist or request in advance thru your clinician
• Wheelchair accessible washroom is located on the main floor

Wheel Trans pick up and drop-off

• Located at the main entrance at #2 Surrey Place Centre

Service Animals

• Your service animal is welcome to accompany you to your appointment, please inform your clinician in advance so that appropriate arrangements are made.

Sign Language Interpreter

• If you require sign language interpreter please inform your clinicians in advance of your appointment so that necessary arrangements can be made.
• Please note that every effort will be made to accommodate your request.

Hearing Impaired (TTY Line)

• If you wish to contact us thru our TTY line the number is 416-925-0295

Language Interpreters

• If you would like to arrange to have an interpreter who speaks your language, please inform your clinicians in advance of your visit to Surrey Place Centre and we will make every effort to accommodate your request.

Contact Us

For more information regarding AODA please visit the Ministry of Community and Social Services website. If you have any questions regarding Surrey Place Centre  policies procedures and practices please contact the Director, Quality, Risk Mgt and Decision Support at 416-925-5141 ext. 2455.