POLICY AND PROCEDURE MANUAL POLICY NUMBER: 10.2 NAME OF POLICY: Accessibility POLICY CATEGORY: Equity DATE ADOPTED: 09/07/2022 DATE TO BE REVIEWED: ANNUALLY
POLICY
The Chetwynd Community Arts Council is guided by principles of disability justice in our commitment to reducing barriers to our programming and services, and participation on our team and board. All reasonable effort within the organization's capacity and control will be made to increase access. The Chetwynd Community Arts Council utilizes guidelines and resources published by sector leaders including Tangled Art + Disability.
10.2.1 Communications Accessibility:
Communications with board members, individual or organization members, non-members and the general public currently involve online meetings via Zoom or equivalent, telephone, e-mail, website, social media, and in-person meetings.
A. Our website and other electronic communication designs will follow accessibility guidelines such as Web Content Accessibility Guidelines, including the use of accessibility graphics/icons.
B. The Chetwynd Community Arts Council will endeavor to support communications accessibility requests, including alternate platforms and arranging and paying an ASL interpreter for meetings with team or board. Upon request, written content and materials will be made available in alternative formats.
10.2.2 Facilities Accessibility:
The Chetwynd Community Arts Council does not own or rent any facilities. This section applies to in-person programming and event venues.
A. All in-person programming must be held in spaces that are physically accessible to people with mobility disabilities. This physical access pertains to parking, entrance areas, movement to and through the activity area, and restroom facilities. Venues will be selected in consideration of other accessibility factors including access to transit and gender-neutral washrooms.
10.2.3 Events Accessibility:
The Chetwynd Community Arts Council hosts in-person and virtual professional development programming that is relevant to cultural workers, volunteers, artists, and more. This section applies to all events.
A. In order to reduce barriers to accessing our events, we will adopt and review practices related to accessibility in consultation with paid consultants, partner organizations, and attendees. We will budget for ASL interpretation, audio description, and captioning and obtain services according to current practices. We will work with attendees to create safer and more accessible spaces guided by frameworks such as Open Access (Carmen Papalia), understanding access as a fluid, human-focused practice relying on those present.
10.2.4 Financial Accessibility:
The Chetwynd Community Arts Council recognizes financial barriers to professional development opportunities and support and strives to increase access to membership, programs, and services.
A. The Chetwynd Community Arts Council will develop and implement flexible fee structures and subsidized programs when operationally feasible. This may include sliding scale or tiered fees, low/no cost programming, bursary programs, waived fees, etc.
10.2.5 Employee & Contractor Accessibility:
The Chetwynd Community Arts Council will follow all federal and provincial law related to accessibility in the workplace. This section refers to additional organizational policy relating to employees, contractors, facilitators, presenters and others engaged by The Chetwynd Community Arts Council.
A. The Chetwynd Community Arts Council will cultivate an organizational culture that promotes open conversation between team, board, contractors, and presenters regarding accessibility needs; and make every reasonable effort within the organization's capacity and control to meet the needs of those we work with.
B. The Chetwynd Community Arts Council will offer extended benefits to employees that meet the current plan requirements (such as minimum 20hrs/week). In selecting and negotiating benefit plans, The Chetwynd Community Arts Council must consider the impact of different types of plans including spending accounts, low prescription or practitioner maximums etc, and ensure the plan will not adversely affect individuals with disabilities.
C. In paying any individual with a disability for work completed for the Chetwynd Community Arts Council, we will work with the individual to ensure that such payments do not negatively affect their eligibility for any federal or provincial benefit programs.
10.2.6 Comments, Suggestions, Grievances:
The Chetwynd Community Arts Council welcomes feedback and suggestions to help improve the accessibility of our programs and organization.
A. The general public as well as Chetwynd Community Arts Council employees, Board members and volunteers may, at any time, submit comments, suggestions or grievances regarding the organization’s efforts to make its programs and services more accessible. Comments and suggestions may be sent via email to chetwyndcommunityartscouncil@gmail.com or phone to 250.401.1103. Grievances should be submitted via audio recording or via email to the President at chetwyndcommunityartscouncil@gmail.com
