Customer’s own assistive device(s):
Persons with disabilities may use their own assistive devices as required when accessing goods or services provided by Let’s Talk Science.
In cases where the assistive device presents a safety concern or where accessibility might be an issue, other reasonable measures will be used to ensure the access to goods and services. For example, open flames and oxygen tanks cannot be near one another. Therefore, the accommodation of a customer with an oxygen tank may involve ensuring the customer is in a location that would be considered safe for both the customer and business. Or, where elevators are not present and where an individual requires assistive devices for the purposes of mobility, service will be provided in a location that meets the needs of the customer.
Assistive devices provided by Let’s Talk Science:
Offices operated by Let’s Talk Science at the national level do not have any assistive devices located on the premises. Volunteers based elsewhere may have access to such devices through their institution. Volunteers are encouraged to learn how to use this equipment. Volunteer coordinators are also encouraged to make existing instruction manuals for these devices available to volunteers. If your institution does not have instruction manuals accessible for these items you are encouraged to suggest that these would be handy to have posted or available where the device is located or stored.
A customer with a disability that is accompanied by a service animal, including a guide dog, will be allowed access to any Let’s Talk Science premises that are open the public unless otherwise excluded by applicable federal, provincial, or municipal law. Any “no pet” policies do not apply to service animals, including guide dogs, as these are working animals.
Recognizing a Service Animal or Guide Dog
If it is not readily apparent that the animal is being used by the customer for reasons relating to his or her disability, Let’s Talk Science may request certification from the customer. Verification may include:
- a letter from a physician or nurse confirming that the person requires the animal for reasons related to the disability;
- a valid identification card signed by the Attorney General of Canada; or,
- a certificate of training from a recognized guide dog or service animal training school
Care and Control of the Animal
The customer that is accompanied by the guide dog or service animal is responsible for maintaining care and control of the animal at all times.
Allergies
If a health and safety concern presents itself, for example, in the form of a severe allergy to the animal, Let’s Talk Science will make all reasonable efforts to meet the needs of all individuals.
Support Persons
If a customer with a disability is accompanied by a support person, Let’s Talk Science will ensure that both persons are allowed to enter the premises together and that the customer is not prevented from having access to the support person.
There may be times where seating and availability prevent the customer and support person from sitting beside each other. In these situations Let’s Talk Science will make every reasonable attempt to resolve the issue.
In situations where confidential information might be discussed, consent will be obtained from the customer, prior to any conversation where confidential information might be discussed.
Admission Fees
Let’s Talk Science events and activities are generally offered free of charge, thus a fee will not be charged for the accompanying support person.
However, there are times where Let’s Talk Science works in conjunction with partners and events that other organizations are hosting in delivering our programs. In these cases an admission fee for the individual as well as their support person may apply.
Where a fee applies to an event Let’s Talk Science volunteers are participating in the volunteer coordinator arranging the activity is responsible for advising those who sign up of any fee applicable, including those for support persons. The volunteer coordinator should also include information on admission fees that apply to an individual and/or their support person in any advertisement or promotion of the event. Where the volunteer coordinator does not have information about the amount of the fee information should be provided on where more information can be accessed.