The Native Women’s Association of Canada (NWAC) is committed to protecting the privacy of its staff, and members of the public.
This is the NWAC’s Privacy Policy. It sets out the commitments we make and principles we follow when dealing with personal information. We understand the importance of maintaining privacy and are committed to collecting and using personal information responsibly and in accordance with Canadian and provincial privacy laws.
Personal Information
Personal information is any identifiable information about an individual. This can include the individual’s name, home address, telephone number, fax number, email address, gender and photographs.
For employees, other personal information may be included.
For website visitors to www.NWAC.ca site, the site collects and saves only the default information customarily logged by web server software. Such information may include the date and time of your visit, the originating IP address, and the pages and images requested.
Please note that children under the age of thirteen (13) must not use the Web Sites or services offered on them to submit any personal information about themselves.
Principles
The following principles comprise the NWAC’s Privacy Policy:
- Accountability– The NWAC is responsible for any personal information under its control. The Privacy Officer for the NWAC is accountable for maintaining and ensuring compliance with the Privacy Policy.
- Identifying the Purpose of Collecting Information– The purpose for collecting any personal information will be made available before or at the time of collection, or at the time a new use of the personal information is identified. The NWAC will only collect personal information that is necessary for the identified purpose, and will retain information only as required to fulfill that purpose, unless otherwise required or prescribed by law.
- Consent–Informed consent is required at or before the time personal information is collected, used or disclosed, except where otherwise required or prescribed by law.
- Limiting Use, Disclosure and Retention– The NWAC will use or disclose personal information only for the purpose for which it was collected. The NWAC will not use or disclose personal information for other reasons unless informed consent is obtained to do so, or the use or disclosure is authorized by applicable privacy laws.
- Accuracy of Information– The NWAC makes every effort to ensure that all personal information is accurate, complete and current.
- Safeguards for Personal Information– The NWAC applies ongoing measures to ensure that all recorded personal information is secured against unauthorized access, disclosure or use.
- Transparency– The NWAC makes available information about its policies and practices regarding how it manages personal information. These policies and practices address the collection, use and disclosure of personal information belonging to Board Members, Employees and others. Requests for information on how the NWAC manages personal information that belongs to you can be made in writing to the Privacy Officer at the address below.
- Individual Access to Personal Information– Upon written request, and within 30 working days, an individual is entitled to access personal information under the control of the NWAC, including whether and how that information has been used, and to what third parties it has been disclosed. Requests to update or amend personal information under the NWAC’s control, or requests for a copy of that information, must be addressed to the Privacy Officer in writing at the address below. Please note that personal information can be released to third parties only if the individual’s express consent is provided to the NWAC, or as required by law.
- Compliance and Complaints– Complaints, concerns, access requests and information amendment requests or questions must be addressed in writing to the Privacy Officer for the NWAC. The Privacy Officer will investigate all complaints made to the office in writing. If the complaint is justified, the Privacy Officer will take measures to correct and, if necessary, make changes to existing privacy policies and procedures. If the complaint cannot be resolved to your satisfaction by the NWAC, you will be provided with the information for the appropriate government agency for further information.
Contact Information
Privacy Officer
The Native Women’s Association of Canada
120 Promenade du Portage
Gatineau, Quebec
J8X 2K1
Email: reception@nwac.ca
Phone: 613-722-3033
Fax: 613-722-7687
Providing goods, services or facilities to people with disabilities
NWAC is committed to meeting its current and ongoing obligations under the Ontario Human Rights Code respecting non-discrimination.
NWAC understands that obligations under the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act, 2005 (AODA) and its accessibility standards do not substitute or limit its obligations under the Ontario Human Rights Code or obligations to people with disabilities under any other law.
NWAC is committed to complying with both the Ontario Human Rights Code and the AODA.
NWAC is committed to excellence in serving all customers including people with disabilities.
Our accessible customer service policies are consistent with the principles of independence, dignity, integration and equality of opportunity for people with disabilities.
Assistive devices
People with disabilities may use their personal assistive devices when accessing our goods, services or facilities.
In cases where the assistive device presents a significant and unavoidable health or safety concern or may not be permitted for other reasons, other measures will be used to ensure the person with a disability can access our goods, services or facilities.
We will ensure that our staff are trained and familiar with various assistive devices we have on site or that we provide that may be used by customers with disabilities while accessing our goods, services or facilities.
Communication
We will communicate with people with disabilities in ways that take into account their disability. This may include the following:
We will work with the person with a disability to determine what method of communication works for them.
Service animals
We welcome people with disabilities and their service animals. Service animals are allowed on the parts of our premises that are open to the public.
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:
- College of Audiologists and Speech-Language Pathologists of Ontario
- College of Chiropractors of Ontario
- College of Nurses of Ontario
- College of Occupational Therapists of Ontario
- College of Optometrists of Ontario
- College of Physicians and Surgeons of Ontario
- College of Physiotherapists of Ontario
- College of Psychologists of Ontario
- College of Registered Psychotherapists and Registered Mental Health Therapists of Ontario
If service animals are prohibited by another law, we will do the following to ensure people with disabilities can access our goods, services or facilities. We will:
- explain why the animal is excluded
- discuss with the customer another way of providing goods, services or facilities
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.
In certain cases, NWAC might require a person with a disability to be accompanied by a support person for the health or safety reasons of:
- the person with a disability
- others on the premises
Before making a decision, NWAC will:
- consult with the person with a disability to understand their needs
- consider health or safety reasons based on available evidence
- determine if there is no other reasonable way to protect the health or safety of the person or others on the premises
If NWAC determines that a support person is required, we will waive the admission fee or fare [if applicable] for the support person
Notice of temporary disruption
In the event of a planned or unexpected disruption to services or facilities for customers with disabilities NWAC will notify customers promptly. This clearly posted notice will include information about the reason for the disruption, its anticipated length of time, and a description of alternative facilities or services, if available.
Services/Facilities include:
120 Promenade du Portage
Gatineau, Quebec
J8X 2K1
The notice will be made publicly available in the following ways:
NWAC Website
Training
NWAC will provide accessible customer service training to:
- all employees and volunteers
- anyone involved in developing our policies
- anyone who provides goods, services or facilities to customers on our behalf.
Staff will be trained on accessible customer service within 30 days after being hired.
Training will include:
- purpose of the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act, 2005 and the requirements of the customer service standard
- NWAC’s policies related to 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
- how to use the equipment or devices available on-site or otherwise that may help with providing goods, services or facilities to people with disabilities.
- what to do if a person with a disability is having difficulty in accessing NWAC ‘s goods, services or facilities
Staff will also be trained when changes are made to our accessible customer service policies.
Feedback process
NWAC welcomes feedback on how we provide accessible customer service. Customer feedback will help us identify barriers and respond to concerns.
Customers will be notified of how to provide feedback in the following ways:
Email: reception@nwac.ca
Customers who wish to provide feedback on the way NWAC provides goods, services or facilities to people with disabilities can provide feedback in the following way(s):
Email: reception@nwac.ca
Mail:
120 Promenade du Portage
Gatineau, Quebec
J8X 2K1
All feedback, including complaints, will be handled in the following manner:
Feed back:
Email: reception@nwac.ca
Customers can expect to hear back in 30 days.
NWAC will make sure our feedback process is accessible to people with disabilities by providing or arranging for accessible formats and communication supports, on request.
Notice of availability of documents
NWAC will notify the public that documents related to accessible customer service, are available upon request by posting a notice in the following location(s)/way(s):
Website: nwac.ca
NWAC will provide this document in an accessible format or with communication support, on request. We will consult with the person making the request to determine the suitability of the format or communication support. We will provide the accessible format in a timely manner and, at no additional cost.
Modifications to this or other policies
Any policies of NWAC that do not respect and promote the principles of dignity, independence, integration and equal opportunity for people with disabilities will be modified or removed.
