A speaker required sign language interpretation for a presentation, but the facility said they did not have enough notice and that it might violate some of their union’s policies.

The organization agreed to:

  • provide sign language interpretation and real time captioning at all forums and public meetings they initiate
  • develop a referral list of ASL (American Sign Language) interpreters and real time captioners which will be available for all staff responsible for organizing public meetings
  • include the symbols for ASL and real-time on all advertising materials for public meetings
  • develop a human rights policy for providing service and for employees including their obligations under the Code, the right to equal treatment without discrimination or harassment on the basis of any Code ground, adverse effect discrimination, the principle of accommodation and the obligation to provide accommodation to the point of undue hardship, and procedures for how to deal with accommodation request and how to implement accommodation;
  • create a complaints procedure for members of the public and employees who feel they have been discriminated against under the Code;
  • create a procedure for how they will respond to such complaints; and,
  • staff training on employees’ obligations and rights under the Code.