Administrative Procedure 145: Use of Support Person by the General Public

 

The Avon Maitland District School Board makes all reasonable efforts to ensure that all practices and procedures are consistent with the principles of independence, dignity, integration and equality of opportunity for all, with particular attention to persons with disabilities. The board will welcome all members of the school and broader community to our facilities by committing our staff and volunteers to providing services that respect the independence and dignity of people with disabilities. Such services incorporate measures that include, but are not limited to, the use of support persons.

To ensure greater awareness and responsiveness to the needs of a person with disabilities, the Avon Maitland District School Board provides appropriate training for all staff who deal with the public or other third parties on behalf of the board. This training is provided to all staff and when appropriate, to volunteers. Training is also a component of the orientation of new staff within a reasonable timeframe as they are hired.

All administrative procedures, and particularly those related to the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act, 2005, are available to the public and in a format that takes into account a person’s disability.

A support person is a person who assists or interprets for a person with a disability who accesses the services of the Board. A support person is distinct from an employee who provides support services to a student or staff person in the system – separate and specific procedures apply.

 

A support person is an individual chosen by a person with a disability to provide services or assistance with communication, mobility, personal care, medical needs or with access to goods or services. Personal care needs may include, but are not limited to, physically transferring an individual from one location to another or assisting an individual with eating or using the washroom. Medical needs may include, but are not limited to, monitoring an individual’s health or providing medical support by being available in the event of a seizure.

The support person could be a paid professional, a volunteer, a friend or a family member. They do not necessarily need to have special training or qualifications.

3.1 Supervisory officers, principals and departmental managers will ensure that staff receive training in interacting with people with disabilities who are accessing board services accompanied by a support person.

4.1. Any person with a disability who is accompanied by a support person will be welcomed on board and/or school premises with their support person. Access will be in accordance with normal security procedures.

4.2. This requirement applies only to those areas of the premises where the public or third parties customarily have access and does not include places or areas of the school or board offices where the public does not have access.

5.1. Where a support person is accompanying a person with a disability, who is the parent/guardian of a student, for the purpose of assisting in a discussion that may involve confidential information concerning the student, the superintendent, principal or other staff member must first secure the consent of the parent/guardian regarding such disclosure.

5.2. Consent to the disclosure of confidential information in the presence of the support person must be given in writing by the parent or guardian. Where the disability of the parent/guardian prevents them from providing consent in writing, verbal consent is acceptable and should be noted on the Consent Form. (See Form 145)

5.3. The support person must also provide assurance in writing to safeguard the confidentiality of information disclosed in the discussion.

5.4. A copy of the signed consent document will be retained in the school/board office.

5.5. If the parent/guardian uses a different support person for subsequent meetings, a new signed consent will be required. (See Form 145)

6.1. Where an individual with a disability who is accompanied by a support person wishes to attend a school, family of schools or board-organized event for which a fee is charged, the notice of the event will include information as to whether support persons will be charged a fee and specify the amount of the fee. Information regarding fees for support persons must be included in the general advertising of all events where a fee is charged. Generally, it is recommended that admission fees for support persons be waived.

6.2. The board may, in rare situations and in consultation with the individual, require a person with a disability to be accompanied by a support person when on the premises, but only if a support person is necessary to protect the health or safety of the person with a disability or the health or safety of others on the premises.

 

Revised December 2022