The Manitoba Genealogical Society (MGS) is committed to complying with the Accessibility Standard for Customer Service under The Accessibility for Manitobans Act. Our policies, practices and measures reflect the principles of dignity, independence, integration and equal opportunity for people with disabilities.
Our location is in a strip mall, and the wheelchair access to the sidewalk is close to the entrance door of MGS. MGS has a wheelchair accessible bathroom.
Communication
We meet the communication needs of our volunteers and customers by offering assistance in different ways, such as writing things down, reading things out loud, and taking extra time to explain things.
We also:
-
- keep paper and pens available to write things down
- offer a chair when longer conversations are needed
- offer a quieter space
- sit down to engage with someone using a wheelchair
We strive to keep our website and promotional images high contrast so they are easy to read.
Our website images have alternate text so individuals with special needs (who have the software) can have the website read to them, including images.
Assistive Devices
We accommodate the use of assistive devices when customers are accessing our goods, services or facilities. We do not touch or move the customers’ assistive devices without permission.
Welcome Support Persons
We welcome support persons. Members who have free access to the Library/Resource Centre and non-members who pay the day-use fee, can have a support person attend them at no additional cost.
We address the customer, not the support person, unless requested by the customer to do otherwise.
We make space for support persons on-site and ensure customers have access to their support persons at all times.
Allow Service Animals
We allow service animals on our premises.
We treat a service animal as a working animal. We do not distract a service animal from its job by petting, feeding or
playing with it, unless given permission by the person with the service animal to do so.
We expect the person who is handling the service animal to maintain control of the animal physically or through voice, signal or other means. If the service animal is showing signs of not being controlled (i.e., by barking, whining or wandering), we may provide a warning to the handler to control the animal. If the service animal continues to misbehave, we may ask the handler to remove the service animal from the premises.
Accessibility Features
To ensure barrier-free access to our goods, services or facilities, we maintain our accessibility features so they can be used as intended.
We organize our space so that there is room for people with wheelchairs, electric scooters and walkers. Our seating accommodates people of varying sizes and abilities.
We keep hallways, aisles, entrance and reception areas, waiting rooms and meeting rooms clear of clutter. We place signs or caution tape to call attention to any possible tripping hazards.
We keep our entrance area clear of ice and snow in partnership with the property owner.
Welcome and Respond Promptly to Feedback
We welcome and respond promptly to feedback we receive on the accessibility of our goods, services and facility. We document the actions we take to respond to the feedback we receive, and that information is available on request.
We invite feedback via our reception desk, or contact us by phone, email, or website.
All feedback is directed to the VP Administration, who determines what action, if any, should occur. The customer will be notified of any action taken or not taken, and the reasoning behind this judgement.
Accessibility Training to Volunteers
The VP Administration will review the Accessibility Policy annually with all volunteers. The Library/Resource Centre is accessible.. Our training focuses on how to interact and communicate with people who face barriers to accessing goods and services, use assistive devices, are assisted by a support person and/or are assisted by a service animal.
Volunteers are encouraged to review the The Accessibility for Manitobans Act Online Learning Portal for more information.