The following policy applies to members of the QNCH Board of Directors, contracted staff, volunteers, and committees authorized by the Board.

1. DEFINITIONS

• QNCH – Queens Neighbourhood Co-operative Housing Ltd.
• Board– Board of Directors of Queens Neighbourhood Co-operative Housing Ltd.
• Co-operative-Queens Neighbourhood Co-operative Housing Ltd.
• Persons with Disabilities – “disability” includes a physical, mental, intellectual, learning or sensory impairment, including an episodic disability, that, in interaction with a barrier, hinders an individual’s full and effective participation in society.
• Services – services include Property Management related services, intake, rent collection, landlord and resident relations, and maintenance issues, and Board and Membership Engagement, Board membership, board committees, and operational committees.

2. PURPOSE

QNCH shall use reasonable efforts to ensure that its policies, practices, and procedures are consistent with the following principles, and will adhere to the Nova Scotia Accessibility Standards for Information and Communication when they are released:

• Dignity and Independence – Housing information and communication will be provided in a manner that respects the dignity and independence of persons with disabilities. We will assist a person with a disability but, will not do so without the express permission of the person, making sure all people can receive, understand, and share the information they need.
• Equality of Opportunity – When everyone has equitable access, everyone can flourish. Persons with disabilities will be given an opportunity equal to that given to others to access information and communication regarding QNCH housing. QNCH will endeavour to provide access when necessary and able alternate means, that enables a person with a disability to obtain use or benefit from services QNCH provides.

Persons with disabilities are encouraged to contact us to identify and discuss whether the provision of our information and communication could be provided in ways that would better consider their disability.

3. COMMUNICATION

• We will always endeavour to communicate with persons with disabilities in ways that take into account their specific needs.
• We will endeavour to communicate with members of the public in person, through the means most comfortable to them.
• We will strive to communicate with the public over the telephone in clear and plain language and to speak clearly and slowly.
• We will train board, committee members, contracted staff and volunteers who communicate with the public on how to effectively interact and communicate with persons with various types of needs.

4. ASSISTIVE DEVICES

We will always endeavor to serve persons with disabilities who use assistive devices to access our housing information.

We will ensure contracted staff, board, committee members, and volunteers are familiar with various assistive devices that may be used by persons with disabilities while accessing our housing information.

5. USE OF SERVICE ANIMALS

We recognize that some individuals with disabilities may require the use of certified assistance animals (e.g. Service dogs) to access our housing. We welcome persons with disabilities who are accompanied by a service animal to all parts of our premises and to keep the animal with them.

We will also ensure that all contracted staff, and volunteers dealing with the public are properly trained in how to interact with people with disabilities who are accompanied by a service animal.

6. SUPPORT PERSONS

We recognize that some individuals with disabilities rely on support persons for assistance while accessing our housing. A person with a disability and their support person will be allowed to enter our premises. They will not be prevented from having access to each other while on the premises. Support persons accompanying or assisting individuals with disabilities may be required to abide by our conflict of interest and confidentiality policies, as outlined in QNCH’s Code of Ethics Policy.

7. NOTICE OF TEMPORARY DISRUPTIONS

QNCH will provide the public and members with notice in the event of a planned or unexpected disruption to housing programming usually accessed by persons with disabilities. This notice will include information about the reason for the disruption, its anticipated duration, and a description of alternative facilities or services, if available. The notice of the disruption will normally be posted on or website or communicated via email to members.

8. TRAINING

QNCH will provide training to its board, committee members, contracted staff, and appropriate volunteers about the provision of information and communication to persons with disabilities.

Training will include the following:

• A review of this policy and any other practices and procedures relating to the Accessibility Standards for Information and Communication, when released.
• The purposes of the Nova Scotia Accessibility Act, 2017 and the requirements of Accessibility Standards for Information and Communication.
• How to interact and communicate with people with various types of disabilities, including those who use assistive devices, service animals or support persons.
• How to use any equipment or devices available on our premises, or otherwise, that may assist with the provision of programs or services to persons with disabilities.
• What to do if a person with a disability is having difficulty in accessing QNCH Housing.

QNCH will keep a record of the training it provides.

9. FEEDBACK PROCESS

The goal of this policy is to meet housing expectations while serving persons with disabilities. Comments on how well those expectations are being met are welcome and appreciated.

QNCH will let members know what methods are available for giving feedback. If a method is not suitable, individuals may request another method. Privacy will be respected, and all feedback will be reviewed for possible action that can be taken to improve access to our housing.

Feedback received will be directed to Queens Neighbourhood Co-operative, President, P.0. BOX 1963, Liverpool, Nova Scotia, B0T 1K0, and will be addressed in accordance with our normal complaints administration procedures and timelines. Where possible, complaints will be addressed immediately. However, some complaints may require more time to address, and must be reviewed for action, possibly at a higher level. Click here to access QNCH Contact Form and Contact Information.

QNCH’s responses to feedback from the community will endeavor to be in a format that is accessible to the complainant.

10. MODIFICATIONS OF POLICIES

We are committed to ensuring that our policies, practices, and procedures respect and promote the dignity and independence of all persons with disabilities. Therefore, no changes will be made to this policy before considering the impact on persons with disabilities. Any policy of QNCH that does not respect and promote the dignity and independence, and equal opportunity of persons with disabilities will be modified or removed.