Please ensure that the IHF has a policy in place to address the arrival of
a patient with a guide dog.
*And in the Bulletin/Notices section of the website include the following.
Link the following to the word “policy” in the aforementioned sentence:*
*Accommodate Guide Dogs Accompanying Patients*
Under the *Independent Health Facilities Act (IHFA)* all IHFs are required
to comply with all applicable legislation. In Ontario the applicable
legislation related to the rights of patients with respect to their guide
dogs is:
1. Blind Persons’ Rights Act
2. Ontario Human Rights Code
3. AODA (Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act)
The attached link to the CNIB webpage provides Fact Sheets, Guides to
proper etiquette, etc:
https://cnib.ca/en/programs-and-services/live/cnib-guide-dogs/support-cnib-guide-dogs/become-guide-dog-champion?region=bc
Please ensure that the IHF has a policy in place to address the arrival of
a patient with a guide dog. This will provide your staff with the
information they need to proceed with the exam. It will also provide the
patient with comfort that the IHF and staff are familiar with and can
accommodate them in a respectful manner.
*Thank you.*
*Stephanie Bolton*
*IDCA*