This Accommodation Policy is available online on the OIPRD website. For an alternative format or a paper copy, please contact the OIPRD at toll free: 1-877-411-4773, local: 416-246-7071, TTY: 1-877-414-4773, or OIPRD@ontario.ca.
Accommodation Policy (PDF)
The OIPRD is committed to providing a respectful, welcoming, accessible, and inclusive environment for all persons with disabilities in a way that is respectful of the dignity and independence of people with disabilities and in a manner which takes into account the person’s disability and embodies the principles of integration and equal opportunity.
The OIPRD is committed to becoming a barrier free environment and meeting the requirements of all existing legislation and its own policies and goals related to identifying, removing and preventing barriers to people with disabilities that might interfere with their ability to interact with the OIPRD.
The OIPRD is committed to treating all people in a way that allows them to maintain their dignity and independence. We believe in integration and equal opportunity. We are committed to meeting the needs of people with disabilities in a timely manner, and will do so by preventing and removing barriers to accessibility and meeting accessibility requirements under the AODA.
The OIPRD is committed to providing accommodation for all persons with identified disabilities under the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA) and Ontario Human Rights Code (Code). Accommodation will be provided in accordance with the principles of dignity, inclusion, and with consideration to the needs of the individual. The OIPRD will work cooperatively, and in a spirit of respect, with all partners in the accommodation process.
Accessibility: Accessibility refers to the design of products, devices, services, or environments for people who experience disabilities.
Barrier: as defined by the Ontarians with Disabilities Act, 2001, anything that prevents a person with a disability from fully participating in all aspects of society because of his/her disability. This includes:
Disability: A disability is a physical or mental condition that limits a person’s movements, senses, or activities.
Section 10 (1) of the Code[i] and Part I, Section 2 of the AODA[ii] defines “disability” as:
Duty to accommodate: This term describes the legal obligation to address or correct situations of discrimination by providing reasonable accommodation. A duty to accommodate is part of the organization’s larger duty to not discriminate. Duty to accommodate means accommodation must be provided in a manner that respects general principles such as dignity of the person, consideration to the needs of the individual, integration and full participation. Where the duty exists, it requires only that a “reasonable accommodation” be made and only to the point of “undue hardship”.
Undue hardship: As defined by the Ontario Human Rights Code, organizations are required to accommodate someone with a disability to the point of undue hardship. There are only three factors to consider in assessing undue hardship: cost, outside sources of funding and health and safety requirements, if any. Evidence to demonstrate undue hardship must be objective, real, direct and, in the case of cost, quantifiable.
[i] Ontario Human Rights Code: www.elaws.gov.on.ca/html/statutes/english/elaws_statutes_90h19_e.htm
[ii] Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act: www.elaws.gov.on.ca/html/source/regs/english/2011/elaws_src_regs_r11191_e.htm
This policy has been developed to ensure that the services of the OIPRD are accessible to all people, including persons with disabilities, such that they can fully participate in the public complaints process. The OIPRD recognizes that an operational commitment to accommodation may require the organization “to take positive steps to ensure that disadvantaged groups benefit equally from services offered to the general public, which is widely accepted in the human rights field.”
This policy applies to services provided by the OIPRD and for OIPRD staff. All OIPRD staff will communicate using methods that enable persons with disabilities to request, receive, and use OIPRD materials in accessible formats. The OIPRD will ensure that its processes for receiving and responding to feedback are accessible to persons with disabilities and will notify the public about the availability of accessible formats and communications supports on the OIPRD website.
The OIPRD shall provide or arrange for accommodation for persons with disabilities in a timely manner that takes into account each person’s accessibility needs. Please note that the OIPRD does not have all types of formats or supports on hand or in stock. Some services may require additional time to secure. However, the OIPRD will keep persons updated on their specific accommodation request. Accessible and alternative formats of documents will be provided at no charge.
The OIPRD will consult with the person making the request to determine the suitability of an accessible format or communication support that is reasonable.
The OIPRD will take reasonable steps to accommodate persons with disabilities without incurring undue hardship.
If you would like to get in touch with us to request accommodation in advance of a conversation with OIPRD staff, please ask for the Accommodation Coordinator at
Please mark the email or letter clearly as a request for accommodation.
Once you have requested accommodation, the Accommodation Coordinator will communicate the request to the Case Coordinator or Investigator assigned to your complaint.
The OIPRD acknowledges that requests for accommodation may require the disclosure of private, sensitive, and personal information. The OIPRD will maintain the confidentiality of information related to an accommodation request, and will only disclose this information with the consent of the applicant requiring accommodation. The OIPRD is subject to the Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act (FIPPA), and must also comply with legal orders requiring the production of documents in certain circumstances.
If you are bringing a support person they may be asked to sign a confidentiality agreement and the role of the support person will need to be agreed upon in advance.
Note: If it is not possible to provide your preferred disability-related accommodation, we will work with you to explore different options. In some cases, we will request information about your disability so that we can understand your needs.
Sign Language: The OIPRD will arrange and cover the costs for an American Sign Language (ASL) or a Langue des signes québécoise (LSQ) interpreter if required. Please give as much advanced notice as possible as arrangements for ASL/LSQ interpreters can take between two weeks to a month.
Languages: The OIPRD provides services in English and French. A complaint will be responded to in either English or French depending on the language in which it is filed. Any party who requires the assistance of an interpreter in filing a complaint in a language other than French, English, ASL or LSQ, must arrange for an interpreter at their own expense.
Alternative formats: The OIPRD can provide documents and reports in a variety of formats upon request, such as large print, Braille, or another reasonable format.
Wheelchair Accessibility: The OIPRD ensures that its office is wheelchair accessible.
Service Animals: The OIPRD welcomes service animals including guide dogs. When we cannot easily identify that an animal is a service animal, our staff may ask a person to provide documentation (template, letter or form) from a regulated health professional that confirms the person needs the service animal for reasons relating to their disability.
A service animal can be easily identified through visual indicators, such as when it wears a harness or a vest, or when it helps the person perform certain tasks.
A regulated health professional is defined as a member of one of the following colleges:
Support Person: If you need to bring a support person with you, you do not have to tell us why they have to be with you, just something to indicate that “I need this person with me for support.”
Enclosed Spaces: If you have a disability that makes it very difficult to be in a closed room, you do not have to tell us about your condition. However, please be specific about your preferences e.g. “I would like to be in a larger room with the door open.”
Communication Disability: If you have a disability that makes it difficult for you to understand speech, or difficult for you to speak, please note the following options:
Reading: If you have a disability that makes it difficult for you to read or understand printed materials, you can ask to have documents read and explained to you by the Accommodation Coordinator, or provided to you in an alternative format including but not limited to an audio recording.
Organizational Difficulties: If organizational difficulties are part of your disability you can ask for help putting your documents together in an order that would assist you. If you have difficulty organizing your thoughts we will work with you to provide a reasonable accommodation.
Alternative Formats and Assistive Devices: The OIPRD will provide documents in alternative formats upon request. The length of time that it takes to prepare the alternative format will vary depending on the length of the document. If necessary, alternate service methods may also be made available to accommodate individual needs including but not limited to assistive listening devices (please note this accommodation would need to be arranged in advance).
Please note this list is not exhaustive and reasonable accommodations will be considered individually on a case-by-case basis.
OIPRD staff receives ongoing training regarding diversity, inclusion, and accessibility. This training includes information about accommodating persons with disabilities, the importance of embracing diversity, as well as inclusive practices, to ensure staff understand requirements under the AODA.
Disruptions to normal service will be posted, including the reason for the disruption, its anticipated duration, and details of alternative service options in the following method/places:
In the event of any unplanned disruption, alternate arrangements will be made to accommodate persons with disabilities to receive services at an alternate place and time or format.
The OIPRD strives to create an inclusive workplace and service environment that welcomes and supports differences and diversity in its staff, and the community it serves.
This includes:
The OIPRD shall:
The purpose of this statement is to recognize the OIPRD’s commitment to a proactive approach in providing an inclusive workplace and service environment for persons with disabilities.
“Ableism” is a term used to describe the discriminatory communications, actions, and practices against persons with disabilities. Ableism may be individual or systemic depending on the type of discriminatory process.
This statement of commitment is supplemental to the OIPRD’s Accommodation Policy and commits the OIPRD to addressing differential attitudes towards persons with disabilities in communications, policies and practices in the workplace, and the delivery of service.
In committing to anti-ableism in the workplace and in service delivery, the OIPRD recognizes that individuals with disabilities can offer the best information about their disability-related needs, if any.
The OIPRD welcomes feedback on how we provide accessible customer service. Customer feedback will help us identify barriers, respond to concerns, and improve how we deliver services to Ontario’s diverse population.
OIPRD employees can also use this process to provide feedback.
The OIPRD will review your feedback and take steps to improve its accommodation policy and procedures as needed.
Please provide feedback in the following ways:
Email: OIPRD.Accommodation@ontario.ca
Toll-free phone: 1-877-411-4773
Local phone: 416-246-7071
TTY: 1-877-414-4773
Toll-free fax: 1-877-415-4773
Local fax: 416-327-8332
What to Include in Feedback:
Please mark correspondence or e-mail with the heading “accessibility feedback”.
If your feedback is about a specific incident, please provide as much information as you feel comfortable giving, for example:
You don’t have to provide your name if you don’t want to. However, providing your name and contact information is required if you would like a response to your feedback.
The OIPRD will make sure our feedback process is accessible to people with disabilities by providing or arranging for accessible formats and communication supports, on request.
The OIPRD will work directly with you to resolve a complaint. If your complaint is about a disability-related accommodation that you require to access and use OIPRD services, it will be addressed as soon as possible.
When we receive complaints we will try to resolve the complaint directly with you. All comments, feedback or complaints received in writing by e-mail, fax, or mail will be answered or acknowledged within 15 business days. If it is not possible to resolve the complaint during that time, the acknowledgement will outline what steps are being taken and whether there will be any further response from the OIPRD.
Accommodation Coordinator
Office of the Independent Police Review Director
655 Bay Street, 10th Floor
Toronto, Ontario
M7A 2T4
Toll-free phone: 1-877-411-4773
Local phone: 416-246-7071
TTY: 1-877-414-4773
Toll-free fax: 1-877-415-4773
Local fax: 416-327-8332
