The MacLaren Art Centre is committed to excellence in serving all Gallery visitors including people with disabilities. All staff and volunteers are trained and familiar with the assistive devices that may be used by visitors with disabilities while accessing our programmes or services. The present devices at the Gallery include the ramp to the front door, elevator, chair lift to café and automatic door. The Gallery is completely wheelchair accessible.
Support Persons
A person with a disability who is accompanied by a support person will be allowed to have that person accompany them on our premises or at our functions without additional fees. Our Greeters will communicate this to visitors. Notices will also be posted on our website and at the reception desk.
Assistive Devices
We are committed to making our programmes and services accessible to visitors with disabilities. To that end, our staff will receive training on the assistive devices available at the MacLaren Art Centre, including the ramp at the front door, elevator, chair lift to the café, and automatic door. As new devices are installed in the future, we will provide additional training to ensure that our staff is familiar with their use.
Service Animals
We welcome people with disabilities and their registered service animals. Registered service animals are allowed on the parts of our premises that are open to the public.
Feedback Process
Visitors who wish to provide feedback on the way the MacLaren Art Centre provides programmes and services to people with disabilities can e-mail the Gallery, make verbal suggestions, or write a letter. All feedback will be directed to the Executive Director and then shared with the members of the Joint Health & Safety Committee to review. Visitors can expect to hear back from the Executive Director and/or a Health & Safety Committee representative promptly in order to resolve the issue in a timely manner.
Notice of Temporary Disruption
In the event of a planned or unexpected disruption to services or facilities for visitors with disabilities (i.e. inability to use the front door ramp, chair lift to café, elevator or automatic door) the MacLaren Art Centre will notify visitors on our website, with signage at front door and the reception desk. Visitors will be given the reason for the disruption, its anticipated length of time and a description of alternative facilities or services available.
Communication
We will communicate with people with disabilities in ways that takes into account their disability.
Training for Staff and Volunteers
The MacLaren Art Centre will provide Accessibility Standard for Visitor Service training to employees, volunteers and others who deal directly with the public, including volunteer Greeters and Gallery Guides. Training will be provided to new staff and volunteers during the first week of orientation.
Modifications to this or Other Policies
Any policy of the MacLaren Art Centre that does not respect and promote the dignity and independence of people with disabilities will be modified or removed.
