POLICY

ACCESSIBILITY & ACCOMMODATION POLICY

POLICY STATEMENT

Canadian Business College is committed to excellence in serving all students and will in accordance with the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act, 2005 (AODA), make every reasonable effort to ensure that its policies, practices and procedures are consistent with the principles of dignity, independence, integration and equal opportunity and ensure that persons with disabilities have equal access to programs, services and activities at the College.

DEFINITIONS

“College” – includes all individuals involved in the provision of College-related services including teaching, advising, administrating or other support services (e.g., faculty, administrators, counsellors, or other support staff).

“Accommodation” – is a change in the allocation of College resources, or in teaching or evaluation procedures, which is designed to meet the particular needs of a student with a disability

“Accessibility” – refers to the design of products, devices, services, or environments for people who experience disabilities.

“Students”- refers to all customers of the College including current students, potential students, graduates and customers who wish to complete any external examinations offered by the College.

GENERALLY

Canadian Business College is committed to training staff on Ontario’s accessibility laws and on accessibility aspects of the Human Rights Code that apply to persons with disabilities.

Training

Canadian Business College is committed to training its staff on Ontario’s accessibility laws and on accessibility aspects of the Human Rights Code that apply to persons with disabilities.

AODA customer service training will be provided to all full-time, part-time and contract employee’s as well as all volunteers. This training will be provided as a condition of employment to all new employees, contractors and volunteers. Training will be provided on an annual basis for current staff to ensure all employees, contractors and volunteers remain current with all policy and procedural changes.

Training will be provided in a way that best suits the duties of employees, volunteers and other staff members, and may include but is not limited to the following:

• An overview of the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act, 2005 and the requirements of the customer service standard

• How to interact and communicate with people with various types of disabilities

• How to interact with people with disabilities who use an assistive device or require the assistance of a service animal or a support person

• What to do if a person with a disability is having difficulty in accessing Canadian Business College’s goods and services

Information and communications

Canadian Business College is committed to meeting the communication needs of people with disabilities. When asked, we will provide information and communications materials in accessible formats or with communication supports. This includes publicly available information about our goods, services and facilities, as well as publicly available emergency information.

Canadian Business College will consult with people with disabilities to determine their information and communication needs.

Canadian Business College is committed to providing fully accessible telephone service to its students and will train its staff to communicate with students over the telephone in clear and respectful manner.

Canadian Business College will offer to communicate with students via alternative forms of communication if telephone communication is not suitable to their communication needs or it is not available.

Billing / Student Enrollment Contracts

Canadian Business College is committed to providing accessible invoices to all of its students. Every effort will be made to provide students upon request with invoices in alternative accessible formats.

Canadian Business College will answer any questions students may have about the content of the invoice in person, by telephone or e-mail.

Assistive devices, Service animals & Support persons

Canadian Business College, where reasonable, will ensure that our staff is trained and familiar with any assistive devices that may be used by students with disabilities while accessing our goods or services.

Should the assistive device present a safety concern or where accessibility might be an issue, other reasonable measures will be used to ensure the access of goods and services.

We welcome people with disabilities and their service animals. Service animals are allowed on parts of our premises that are open to the public.

A person with a disability who is accompanied by a support person will be allowed to have that person accompany them on our premises. Support persons accompanying a person with disability will not be charged a fee for daily classroom events.  On occasion, workshops and classes sponsored by Canadian Business College or a third party outside of regular classroom use may occur at our locations.  For such events, service animals or support persons shall be permitted except when there are fees applied by a third party and/or the support person was not pre-registered or no vacancy exists.  Costs for services (i.e. food) will be the responsibility of the support person. 

Students are required to provide their own service animal or support person.  Students are expected to inform their Admissions Advisor when enrolling in a program with Canadian Business College that they will be attending with a service animal or support person.  

Notice of temporary disruption

In the event of a planned or unexpected disruption to services or facilities for students with disabilities, Canadian Business College will notify students promptly and effectively in an appropriate manner. Such notices may include:

• Placing notices at all public entrances and service counters at each of our locations.

• Campus Managers and Instructors directly informing the students of the service disruption.

• Posting messages on the College’s website

If an unexpected disruption occurs, persons with disabilities will be accommodated by the use of other means to deliver the goods and services, including:

• The College may provide an alternative location and time to provide the student with the disability with the goods or services (i.e. an alternative classroom location, etc.);

• Any other appropriate assistive measures available to deliver the goods and services.

Design of Public Spaces

Canadian Business College will meet the Accessibility Standards for the Design of Public Spaces when making major modifications to public spaces. Public spaces include:

• Service-related elements like service counters, fixed queuing lines and waiting areas 

Requests for Accommodation

All requests for Accommodation should be made preferably at the time of Admission, or before the first day of the start of the program. They should be reviewed by the Campus Manager and if the request is for academic accommodation the Director of Education should be involved.

Students requiring Accommodation should start the process by filling out the Student Accommodation Request Form and submit the completed form along with all supporting documentation to the Campus Manager. No student will be penalized for making an accommodation request.

Each student’s needs are unique and will be considered when an accommodation request is made as there is no set formula for accommodation. All accommodation requests will be taken seriously and will be dealt with promptly.

Where necessary, interim accommodation will be provided while long-term solutions are developed.

Where the accommodation request does not clearly indicate a need related to a Code ground or where there is a demonstrable objective reason to question the legitimacy of the student’s request for accommodation the College may require further information related to the accommodation request.

Failure to respond to requests for further information may delay the provision of accommodation.

Accommodation requests will be responded to within 5 business days unless additional supporting documentation is required and/or missing.

Responsibilities of the College towards Students with Disabilities

The College has a responsibility to:

• Ensure that persons are not denied admission on the basis of their disability

• Advise students of available accommodations and support services, and the process by which these resources may be accessed

• Accept a student’s request for accommodation in good faith (even when the request does not use any specific formal language), unless there are legitimate reasons for acting otherwise

• Take an active role in ensuring that alternative approaches and possible accommodation solutions are investigated, and canvass various forms of possible accommodation and alternative solutions as part of the duty to accommodate

• Obtain expert opinion or advice where needed, and bear the costs of any required disability-related information or assessment

• Maximize a student’s right to privacy and confidentiality, including only sharing information regarding the student’s Code-related needs with those directly involved in the accommodation process

• Deal with accommodation requests in a timely manner

• Appoint at least one person at the College assigned to facilitate accommodation requests;

• Ensure that faculty and staff are knowledgeable about relevant college policies and procedures and familiar with broader issues regarding persons with disabilities

• Treat the information obtained as confidential according with the Privacy Act of Ontario.

Responsibilities of Students with Disabilities

Every student with a disability at Canadian Business College who seeks accommodation due to his or her disability has a responsibility to:

• Advise the College of the need for accommodation and provide the necessary documentation to the College

• Make his/her needs known to the best of his/her ability so that the College may consider the requested accommodation

• Answer questions or provide information regarding relevant restrictions or limitations, including information from health care professionals, where appropriate, and as needed

• Participate in discussions regarding possible accommodation solutions

• Co-operate with any experts whose assistance is required and fulfill, as set out in the accommodation plan all agreed upon responsibilities

• Work with the College on an ongoing basis to manage the accommodation process

• Advise the College of difficulties he/she may be experiencing in accessing educational life, including problems with arranged accommodations

Feedback process

Students who wish to provide feedback on the way Canadian Business College provides goods and services to people with disabilities can do so in person, by phone, regular mail or by sending an email.

Canadian Business College
2 Bloor Street West, 22^nd floor
Toronto, ON M4W-3E2
T: 416.925.9929
F: 416.925.9220
Email:  jkennedy@canadianbusinesscollege.com

All feedback, including complaints are taken very seriously and each one will be reviewed and responded to within 5 business days of receipt. Feedback will be responded to in the format in which the feedback was received. The feedback will only outline actions that are appropriate. Students must provide contact information in order to receive a response.

Modifications to this or other policies

Any policy of Canadian Business College that does not respect and promote the dignity and independence of people with disabilities will be modified or removed.

STUDENT SEXUAL VIOLENCE POLICY

POLICY STATEMENT

Canadian Business College is committed to providing its students with an educational environment free from sexual violence or harassment and treating those students who report incidents of sexual violence or harassment with dignity and respect.

This policy applies to all members of the College community including: all employees, students, contractors, suppliers of services, individuals who are directly connected to any College initiatives, volunteers, and visitors.

DEFINITIONS

 “Sexual harassment” means:

• Unwanted sexual attention of a persistent or abusive nature, made by a person who knows or ought reasonably to know that such attention is unwanted;
• The making of an implied or express promise of reward for complying with a sexually oriented request;
• The making of an implied or express threat of reprisal, in the form of actual reprisal or the denial of opportunity, for refusal to comply with a sexually oriented request; and/or
• Sexually oriented remarks and behaviour which may reasonably be perceived to create a negative psychological and emotional environment for work and study.

“Sexual Violence” means:

• Any sexual act or act targeting a person’s sexuality, gender identity or gender expression whether the act is physical or psychological in nature, that is committed, threatened or attempted against a person without the person’s consent, and includes sexual assault, sexual harassment, stalking, indecent exposure, voyeurism and sexual exploitation.

“Respondent” means:

• The person against whom a complaint is filed or brought against

“Complainant” means:

• The person who makes a complaint

GENERALLY

Canadian Business College is committed to protecting all students and shall take reasonable precautions to prevent sexual harassment and violence at its premises.

In accordance with Bill 132, Sexual Violence and Harassment Action Plan Act, 2016 Canadian Business College will review this policy and amend if applicable at least once every three years and shall ensure that student input is considered.

Canadian Business College is committed to:

1. Include a copy of the Sexual Violence Policy in every contract made between the College and its students and provide copy of the Sexual Violence Policy to its management (corporate directors, controlling shareholders, owners, partners, other persons who manage or direct the college’s affairs, and their agents), instructors, staff, other employees and contractors and train them about the policy and its processes of reporting , investigating and responding complaints of sexual violence involving its students. (Any company participating in offering student internships on their premises must provide an undertaking in writing that is in compliance with all applicable legislation, including the Ontario Human Rights Code and the Occupational Health and Safety Act and will provide its students access to those policies should they encounter issues relating to sexual violence in the workplace.)
2. Publish the Sexual Harassment & Violence Policy on the College’s website and have it posted in conspicuous location on each of its Campuses
3. Provide a Designate responsible for handling Sexual Violence or Harassment complaints
4. Assist those who have experienced sexual violence by providing detailed information and support, including provision of and/or referral to counselling and medical care, and appropriate academic and other accommodation;
5. Treat individuals who disclose sexual violence with compassion recognizing that they are the final decision-makers about their own best interests;
6. Ensure that those who disclose that they have been sexually assaulted are believed, and that their right to dignity and respect is protected throughout the process of disclosure, investigation and institutional response
7. Keep all personal information, to the extent it is possible, of persons involved in the investigation confidential except in those circumstances where it believes an individual is at imminent risk of self-harm, or of harming another, or there are reasonable grounds to believe that others on the campus or the broader community are at risk.
8. Inform students of their right not to report an incident of or make a complaint about sexual violence or not request an investigation should they so choose
9. Ensure fairness and due process while engaging in appropriate procedures for investigation and adjudication of a complaint in accordance with the College policies and standards,
10. Ensuring coordination and communication among the various departments who are most likely to be involved in the response to sexual violence on campus;
11. Providing appropriate education and training to the College community about responding to the disclosure of sexual violence on campus

Reporting and Investigating Reports of Sexual Violence

9929. Under this Policy any student of the college may file a report of an incident or a complaint of sexual violence to the Campus Manager/Designate in writing or call 416-925-9929.
9930. upon receipt of a report of an incident or a complaint of alleged sexual violence being made the (College Designate) will respond promptly by:
      1. determining whether an investigation should proceed and whether or not the Complainant wishes to participate in the Investigation
      2. determine who should conduct the investigation based on the seriousness of the allegation i.e. should the incident be referred immediately to police;
      3. Determine what interim measures, if any, need to be taken pending the investigation process, such as removal of the Respondent or seeking alternate methods of providing necessary course studies.
9931. once an investigation is initiated the Complainant and Respondent will be advised that they may ask another person to be present throughout the investigation
9932. the complainant will be interviewed to ensure a complete understanding of the allegation and gathering information that may not have been included in the written complaint i.e. the date and time of the incident, the persons involved, the names of any person who witnessed the incident and a complete description of what occurred;
9933. the respondent will be interviewed, and details will be provided of the allegations raised and the respondent will be given an opportunity to respond to those allegations to provide any witnesses he/she feels are essential to the Investigation;
9934. any person /s that have or may have, knowledge of the incident along with any identified witnesses will be interviewed
9935. reasonable updates will be provided to the complainant and the respondent about the status of the investigation; and
9936. following the investigation, the College will:
      1. review all evidence collected during the investigation
      2. determine whether sexual violence occurred, and if so
      3. determine applicable disciplinary action to be taken, (disciplinary action may include expulsion of student, termination of employment of instructor or staff, placing restrictions on the Respondents ability to access certain College premises or facilities or any other actions appropriate to the circumstances)

Appeals

Should the Complainant or the Respondent not agree with the decision resulting from the investigation, he or she may appeal the decision within 5 days by submitting a letter addressed to the Campus Manager/Designate advising of the person’s intent to appeal the decision.

Making False Statements

It is a violation of this Policy for anyone to knowingly make a false complaint of sexual violence or sexual harassment or to provide false information about a complaint. Individuals who violate this Policy are subject to disciplinary and / or corrective action, up to and including termination of employment or expulsion.

Right to Withdraw a Complaint

A complainant has the right to withdraw a complaint at any stage of the process. However, the College may continue to act on the issue identified in the complaint in order to comply with its obligation under this Policy and/or its legal obligations.

Reprisal

It is a violation of this Policy to retaliate or threaten to retaliate against a complainant who has brought forward a complaint of sexual violence, acting in good faith, who has brought forward a complaint of sexual violence or sexual harassment, provided information related to a complaint, or otherwise been involved in the complaint investigation process.

Multiple Proceedings

Where criminal and/or civil proceedings are commenced in respect of the allegations of sexual violence, the College shall conduct its own independent investigation into such allegations and will make its own determination in accordance with its policies and procedures. Where there is an ongoing criminal investigation, the College will cooperate with the local police.

SEXUAL ASSAULT AND SEXUAL VIOLENCE PROCEDURE

1. If You Have Experienced Sexual Violence

If you have experienced sexual violence, please call 416-925-9929 x101, and we will assist you by providing all the resources and support you need. If you want to speak to someone directly, please go to your Campus Manager.

Disclosing and reporting incidents of sexual violence is often difficult to do. It is entirely up to you if you choose to report the incident; however, we strongly encourage you to do so.

Please note that you are not required to file a formal complaint to obtain supports, services or appropriate accommodation from the College.

Anyone who has experienced sexual violence has the right to:

• be treated with dignity and respect,
• be believed,
• be informed about on- and off-campus services and resources,
• decide whether or not to access available services and to choose those services they feel will be most beneficial,
• decide whether to report to campus management and/or local police,
• have an on-campus investigation with the institution’s full cooperation,
• have a safety plan, and
• Have reasonable and necessary actions taken to prevent further unwanted contact with the alleged perpetrator(s).

2. If You Would like to File a Formal Complaint

Your Campus Manager can also assist you with filing a complaint.

Individuals who have experienced sexual violence may also wish to press charges under the Criminal Code. Your Campus Manager can also assist you with contacting the local Police.

3. What to Do if You Witnessed Sexual Violence

If you witness sexual violence, please call 416-925-9929 x101, and we will assist you by providing all the resources and necessary support. If you want to speak to someone directly, please go to: your Campus Manager.

If a member of faculty or staff of the College becomes aware of an allegation of sexual violence against a student or another employee of the College, the faculty or staff is required to report the alleged incident immediately.

4. What to Do if Someone Discloses Allegations of Sexual Violence

If disclosure is made to faculty or staff by a student seeking support or academic accommodation, the faculty or staff should refer the student to the Campus Manager and work with the Campus Manager to ensure that the student receives all necessary academic and other accommodations.

As indicated above, if faculty or staff of the College becomes aware of an allegation of sexual violence against another member of the College community, the faculty or staff is required to report the alleged incident immediately.

5. How Will the College Respond to a Report of Sexual Violence?

Where a complaint of sexual violence has been reported to the College, the College will exercise care to protect and respect the rights of both the complainant and the respondent. The College understands that individuals who have been the victims of sexual violence may wish to control whether and how their experience will be dealt with by the police and/or the College. In most circumstances, the person will retain this control. However, in certain circumstances, the College may be required to initiate an internal investigation and/or inform the police of the need for a criminal investigation, even without the person’s consent, if the College believes that the safety of other members of the College community is at risk.

If students, in good faith, report an incident of, or make a complaint about, sexual violence, they will not be subject to discipline or sanctions for violations of the private career college’s policies relating to drug or alcohol use at the time the alleged sexual violence occurred. Students who disclose their experience of sexual violence through reporting an incident of, making a complaint about, or accessing supports and services for sexual violence, will not be asked irrelevant questions during the investigation process by the private career college’s staff or investigators, including irrelevant questions relating to the student’s sexual expression or past sexual history.

A) Where the Respondent is a Student

It is considered a serious offence and will be addressed in a manner which is consistent with other serious offences and procedures set out in this Policy, and/or other College policies.

B) Where the Respondent is a member of Faculty or Staff

Allegations against faculty and staff will be addressed in accordance with the procedures set out in this Policy, and/or other College policies. If the complaint is sustained following an investigation, the College will decide on the appropriate disciplinary actions.

C) Where the Respondent is not a Student, Faculty or Staff

Contractors, suppliers, volunteers or visitors who attend on campus will be subject to complaints if they engage in prohibited conduct. Where a complaint against the respondent is substantiated, the College will take appropriate action.

All contractual relationships entered into by the College will be governed by a standard contract compliance clause stating that contractors must comply with this Policy and the Ontario Human Rights Code, including co-operating in investigations. Breach of the clause may result in penalties, cancellation, or other sanctions.

6. Resources and Supports Available to You

7. Services in GTA:

• Emergency Services (Police, Ambulance, Fire) dial 911
• Women’s College Hospital Sexual Assault / Domestic Violence : 416.323.6040 Toronto Rape Crisis Centre : 597.8808
• YWCA Toronto 416-497-7151 ext. 266: Healing from Violence and Trauma Groups
• The Gatehouse (in case there are historical issues of childhood sexual abuse that compound a recent incident) 416-255-5900
• Tropicana Community Services (Counselling for the Black Community) 416-439-9009 Scarborough Hospital Sexual Assault/Domestic Violence Care Centre 416-495-2555
• Barbara Schlifer Commemorative Clinic (Counselling and legal support): 416-323-9149 Assaulted Women’s Helpline: 1.866.863.0511
• Support Services for Male Survivors of Sexual Abuse: 1-866-887-0015 211 (information and referral line)
• Anishnawbe Health: 416-891-8606
• Toronto Family Services Association: 416-595-9618 Distress Line: 416-408-4357
• David Kelly Services (LGBTQ): 416-595-9618
• 519 Church Street Community Centre (LGBTQ Counselling and Legal Support): 416-392-6874 LGBTQ Youthline: 1-800-268-9688
• Gerstein 24 hour Crisis Line: 416-929-5200

AODA COMPLIANCE POLICY

The following chart outlines the College’s obligations under Reg. 191/11,