The Ottawa Convention Centre (OCC) is an operational agency of the government of Ontario, and as such is guided by the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA). The Act was passed in 2005 with the intention of making Ontario accessible by 2025 through the development of province-wide, enforceable standards on accessibility for people with disabilities.
Opened in April 2011, the new Ottawa Convention Centre was built with a universal design approach to ensure the universal accessibility of the building. OCC meets the most stringent technical accessibility requirements of the guiding building codes and standards used in the redevelopment project, including the Ontario Building Code, the CSA B651 Accessibility of the Built Environment Standard, the Americans with Disabilities Act Accessibility guidelines, and the AODA Accessible Environment Standard (the latter is not yet in effect, but the requirements within the proposed standard were considered throughout the design process).
In order to accommodate all OCC patrons, a universal design approach was utilized which incorporates design solutions that meet the needs of a wide range of human functioning. From the outset of the project, the design team considered the requirements of people with disabilities including hearing impairments, visual impairments, developmental or learning disabilities, people with multiple disabilities and people of all ages.
The Accessible Customer Service Standard (Ontario Regulation 429/07) is the first standard to be developed under AODA. On January 1, 2010, the Ontario government’s new standard on accessible customer service for people with disabilities came into force.
OCC is committed to complying with this standard in the following ways:
1. OCC has established policies, practices and procedures on providing goods and services to people with disabilities.
2. OCC’s established policies, practices and procedures are consistent with the core principles of independence, dignity, integration and equality of opportunity.
3. Visitors to OCC are permitted to use their own personal assistive devices to access our goods and services. Assistive devices are also available through our Technology Services Provider, AVW TELAV (additional charges will apply).
4. OCC colleagues are trained to communicate with persons with disabilities in a manner that takes their disability into account.
5. People with disabilities may be accompanied by their guide dog or service animal while onsite at OCC (unless excluded by another law, or precluded by client).
6. With client approval, people with disabilities may be accompanied by a support person when attending events on site (additional charges may apply).
7. Notice will be provided whenever facilities or services used to access our services are temporarily disrupted.
8. Colleagues, volunteers and service partners are trained on the Customer Service Standard.
9. Feedback on how we provide goods and services to people with disabilities is encouraged. Feedback can be provided in person onsite at the OCC Reception desk in Adminstration, by telephone 613-563-1984, be email to info@ottawaconventioncentre.com, or in a client survey. All feedback will be directed to the Manager of Communications and Government Relations. Customers can expect to hear back within 5 business days. Complaints will be addressed according to our organizations regular complaint management procedures.
The Centre is committed to providing guests with the information required to do business with the Centre and to removing barriers to quality customer service for people with disabilities. We will be pleased to discuss your requirements and how we may best assist you.
Click here for additional information on OCC’s accessibility features.
Click here for OCC’s Accessible Customer Service Plan.
Click here for OCC’s accessible floor plans.
Click here for a downloadable copy of the Principles of Accessibility document in PDF format that can be enlarged
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