Accessibility Policy

OVERVIEW AND PURPOSE 

The Canadian Association of Consulting Energy Advisors (“CACEA”) is committed to identifying, preventing, and removing barriers to accessibility for individuals with disabilities. This policy outlines CACEA’s approach to providing accessible services and programs in a manner that respects the dignity, independence, integration, and equal opportunity of all individuals. 

CACEA is committed to meeting the requirements of applicable accessibility legislation, including the Accessible Canada Act, provincial legislation (such as the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act, 2005 (AODA) where applicable), and all relevant regulations. 

GENERAL REQUIREMENTS 

CACEA will use reasonable efforts to ensure that its policies, practices and procedures reflect the following principles: 

  • CACEA will ensure that all people, including those with disabilities, have access to its services. 
  • All services will be provided in a manner that respects the principles of independence and dignity. 
  • Every effort will be made to ensure that services provided to individuals with disabilities are integrated with those provided to individuals without disabilities, unless an alternative measure is necessary to enable access to CACEA’s services. 
  • CACEA will ensure that its volunteers are trained on customer service requirements related to people with disabilities. Training will be provided in a manner appropriate to the duties of each volunteer. E. Third-party contractors delivering goods or services on behalf of
  • CACEA are required to meet legislative requirements for accessible customer service and adhere to CACEA’s Accessibility Policy. 
SPECIFIC REQUIREMENTS 
  1. Assistive Devices: Individuals with disabilities may use their own assistive devices to access CACEA’s services, unless the device poses a health or safety risk to the individual or others. In such cases, CACEA may offer other reasonable measures to assist the individual, where available. CACEA will take reasonable steps to help facilitate access to assistive devices if notified at least 30 days in advance. 
  2. Service Animals: CACEA will accommodate the use of service animals by individuals with disabilities accessing Association services, unless otherwise excluded by law. Individuals are responsible for ensuring that their service animal is in good health, poses no health or safety risk, and remains under their care and control at all times. 
  3. Support Persons: Where an individual with a disability is accompanied by a support person—who may be a paid worker, volunteer, friend, or family member—CACEA will ensure that both are permitted to enter the premises and that the individual has access to their support person at all times. If an admission fee is required for a support person (e.g., for a conference), CACEA will provide advance notice of the amount. 
  4. Communications: When communicating with individuals with disabilities, CACEA will do so in a way that respects their dignity and independence. Documents and materials will be provided in a format that considers the individual’s disability. If an alternative format is requested, every effort will be made to accommodate the request within a reasonable timeframe. 
  5. Service Disruption/Notice of Service Disruption: Temporary service disruptions may occur due to circumstances within or beyond CACEA’s control. CACEA will make every reasonable effort to inform the public and/or Association members of any such disruptions. 
POLICY REVIEW AND MODIFICATION

The Board will review this policy annually to ensure continued compliance with legislation, proper practices, and alignment with the principles of dignity and independence for individuals with disabilities.