Health and Safety Policy

Beth Emeth Synagogue is committed to excellence in serving all congregants and visitors including people with disabilities. When serving congregants and visitors to the synagogue, who have disabilities, reasonable efforts will be made to provide the same level of service given to other congregants and visitors. Service shall be provided in a manner that respects their dignity and independence.

Our Culture

Beth Emeth endeavours to be a warm and welcoming community. All who wish to attend and participate in our services and programs are encouraged to do so. Jews of any religious, gender or sexual orientation may become members of our congregation. Understanding the unique needs of each young person, we offer the opportunity to customize a bar or bat mitzvah ceremony that accommodates those with exceptionalities. Our Hebrew school, Aleph Beit Chadash welcomes special needs students, with their supports. 

Assistive devices

We will ensure that our staff is trained and familiar with various assistive devices that may be used by congregants and visitors with disabilities while accessing our synagogue services, programs and other events taking place at the synagogue.

People with disabilities may use their own personal assistive devices, or those which may be offered by the synagogue. These devices may include (but are not limited to):

• All religious services are available by livestream (see website)
• Door opener at the parking lot door (security/custodial personnel)
• Wheelchairs and/or walkers are available upon request (security/custodial personnel)
• Large print prayer books are available upon request (Clergy)
• Assistive hearing devices: The main sanctuary has been renovated to include the hearing loop system. Please tune your personal assistive hearing device to the T Channel.
• Elevators: there is one elevator to access the mezzanine on the east side of the building. A second elevator allows full access to four floors on the west side of the building
• Specially equipped washroom facilities (main floor and mezzanine)

Communication

We will communicate with people with disabilities in ways that take into account their disability.  The following guidelines will be taken into account when communicating with people with various types of disabilities include:

• Use inclusive language

• Ask if help is required

• Respect differences

• Resist judgment
• order to provide service to a person with a disability.

Service animals

We welcome people with disabilities and their service animals. Service animals are allowed in the parts of our premises that are open to the public. Where an animal is not allowed by law, or may affect the health and safety of other congregants or visitors, other ways will be explored in order to provide service to a person with a disability.

Support persons

A person with a disability who is accompanied by a support person will be allowed to have that person accompany them on our premises.

During High Holy Days, tickets will be provided, free of charge, to enable support persons to accompany a person with a disability, as defined under the Act.

This information will be provided directly to any congregant with disabilities at the time of membership renewal.

Notice of temporary disruption

In the event of a planned or unexpected disruption to services or facilities for congregants and visitors with disabilities BEBY will notify congregants and visitors promptly. This clearly posted notice will include information about the reason for the disruption, its anticipated length of time, and a description of alternative facilities or services, if available.

The notice will be placed on the doors of the synagogue, will be announced on our website, in an e-blast (to the synagogue’s distribution list) and on our Facebook page.

Subject to information being available regarding the specific people who will be affected by the disruption (e.g., regular attendees at a particular program), the synagogue will undertake to contact people by telephone. 

Definition of Disability
Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act, 2005, S.O. 2005, CHAPTER 11 contains the following definition:

“Disability” means,

(a) any degree of physical disability, infirmity, malformation or disfigurement that is caused by bodily injury, birth defect or illness and, without limiting the generality of the foregoing, includes diabetes mellitus, epilepsy, a brain injury, any degree of paralysis, amputation, lack of physical co-ordination, blindness or visual impediment, deafness or hearing impediment, muteness or speech impediment, or physical reliance on a guide dog or other animal or on a wheelchair or other remedial appliance or device,

(b) a condition of mental impairment or a developmental disability,

(c) a learning disability, or a dysfunction in one or more of the processes involved in understanding or using symbols or spoken language,

(d) a mental disorder, or

(e) an injury or disability for which benefits were claimed or received under the insurance plan established under the Workplace Safety and Insurance Act, 1997; (“handicap”)

Feedback process

Congregants and visitors who wish to provide feedback on the way Beth Emeth Bais Yehuda Synagogue’s provides services to people with disabilities can do the following:

• Send an e-mail to the Executive Director and/or President of the synagogue:

execdir@beby.org  or president@beby.org

• Call the synagogue :  416-633-3838 ext. 248
• Send a letter by post

All feedback will be directed to the Executive Director. Congregants and visitors can expect to hear back by the end of the next business day. Complaints will be addressed according to our organization’s regular complaint management procedures.

Modifications to this or other policies

Any policy of Beth Emeth Bais Yehuda Synagogue that does not respect and promote the dignity and independence of people with disabilities will be modified or removed.

Endorsed by BEBY Board of Directors   Updated – November 2017