RIGHTS FOR INDIVIDUALS
All individuals receiving services have:
- The right to be informed
- The right to receive information in words that one can understand and the right to always know what one is signing.
- The right to choose.
- The right to make informed choices about all things that affect one's life and the right to take the time needed to decide what one really wants.
- The right to make mistakes.
- The right to use information resulting from the choices one has made.
- The right to disagree with something, someone, and/or a service that one does not like.
- The right to be heard.
- The right to assistance and the right to access generic community supports, for example, legal aid, police, etc.
- The right to be free from abuse and to seek help without fear of punishment. (Abuse can be physical, verbal, psychosocial, financial, and sexual. Other abuses can be in the form of over or under medicating, neglect, and the violation of rights.)
- The right to self-determination.
- The right to give input into the planning processes that affect one's life.
- The right to the least restrictive and most effective teaching models and settings based on one's individual skills and needs.
- The right to required medical services.
- The right to choose one's own doctor/specialists and the right to understand medical treatment plans.
- The right to emotional and psychological supports (formal and informal).
- The right to privacy when one is receiving such support.
- The right to attend religious services of one's own choosing.
- The right to choose one's friends and the times one wishes to socialize with them.
- The right to have friends in one's home and to have private time when meeting with them (including telephone conversations).
- The right to optimal independence in health, hygiene, and grooming practices.
- The right to receive or prepare three nutritionally balanced meals daily based on personal and cultural preferences.
- The right to a personal living area that is comfortable and safe.
- The right to decorate one's own living space.
- The right to responsible use of personal possessions such as: books, radios, toiletries, jewelry, cigarettes, alcohol, etc. and the right to control access to those possessions.
- The right to privacy. All Canadians have a right to privacy. Laws such as the Privacy of Information and Protection Act ensure the privacy of each individual is protected.
- The right to send and receive mail.
- The right to earn money and to receive eligible allowances that one is entitled to.
- The right to choose where one wants to live.
- The right to live in the community of one's choice and to be given the support needed within that environment.
- The right to vote.
In addition, all individuals have the right:
- To refuse any service, intervention, or medication (unless mandated by law or court order).
- To participate in decisions about services provided.
- To receive service that is non-coercive.
- To receive service that is free from discrimination.
- To view their own individual personal file.
- To provide feedback about services that are received and about Access Resources.
- To make a complaint about services received.
RESPONSIBILITIES FOR INDIVIDUALS
As with all rights, there are always responsibilities. All individuals receiving services have the responsibility:
· To consider the respect and dignity of all individuals at Access Resources.
· To advise Access Resources when unable to participate in a program
· To take responsibility for reactions towards others
· To take responsibility for actions as well as interactions
· To inform the Program Director at Access Resources in the case of unfair treatment
· To self-advocate, to the best of one’s abilities, for one’s rights
Should you require further explanation of Rights and Responsibilities, Access Resources has several accommodations documents available to assist in understanding Rights and Responsibilities.
QUALITY OF LIFE FRAMEWORK
| FACTOR | DOMAIN | EXEMPLARY INDICATORS |
| Independence | Personal Development | Personal Skills Adaptive Behavior |
| Self Determination | Choices Decisions Autonomy Control | |
| Social Participation | Interpersonal Relationships | Social Networks Social Activities Friendships |
| Social Inclusion | Involvement in Community Community Roles | |
| Rights | Equal Opportunities Respectful Treatment Legal access and due process | |
| Well-being | Emotional Well-being | Safety & Security Positive experiences Success |
| Physical Well-being | Health & Nutrition Status Recreation & Physical Exertion | |
| Material Well-being | Income Possession |
CONFIDENTIALITY
Access Resources regards any and all information about service recipients as confidential. Personal information is used only for providing services and for reviewing the quality of service delivery. Written consent will be requested if any information about you is to be shared with anyone. All Access Resources staff members sign a confidentiality agreement upon hiring. Any individual may view their own personal file by submitting a written request to Access Resources.
PROFESSIONAL ETHICS
Access Resources employees sign a Professional Ethics Agreement that addresses how employees will interact with individuals, families, colleagues, interdisciplinary teams, etc. The agency's priority as a progressive human services agency is to ensure ethical service delivery. The Professional Ethics Agreement provides a common foundation to all agency decision-making and professional relationships and is the foundational document upon which all policies and procedures are based.
ILLNESS & ABSENCE
If you are away because you are sick (exhibiting flu or cold symptoms: fever, cough, runny nose, vomiting or diarrhea) or away on a holiday, please call the office to let us know or let your worker know.
If you are sick, please stay home and get well. If you come to programs or services and become sick or you are already sick, we contact your family or home share provider to come and pick you up.
We don't want to risk getting others sick or spreading germs.
ASSESSMENTS AND GOAL PLANNING
Each individual beginning to receive services from Access Resources will be informed as to services available and an overview of the agency. Access Resources will provide a functional assessment at the time of service initiation in order to proceed with the service planning and goal setting processes.
Individuals' support networks, including families, friends and involved professionals, all play major roles in facilitation and supporting person centered planning and goal setting. Access Resources looks forward to working with individuals and their support networks in the planning process.
Access Resources staff would would like to hose or attend planning/goal setting meetings at minimum once per year. For more information, contact Sonja.
AGENCY SAFETY AND EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS
Access Resources considers safety and preparedness for emergencies as an important part of delivering quality service. Our practices are based upon and reflect comprehensive Occupational Health and Safety Procedures. Staff are trained in Non-Violent Crisis Intervention (i.e. NVCI training). Access Resources remains committed to the use of the least restrictive intervention options available.
Staff also must have valid certification in First Aid, Food Safe and WHMIS.
Among Access Resources' many safety precautions, the agency has in place a detailed procedure for both critical incidents and natural disasters should they occur. If there any question, concerns or comments about safety and preparedness, please contact an Access Resources staff member.
FEEDBACK
As part of its commitment to continuous improvement, the agency welcomes all feedback submitted from all sources. Access Resources will receive and review all feedback submitted from all sources to continuously improve programs and operations.
Feedback received by employees from all mechanisms (both formal and informal) will be provided to the responsible Program Coordinator. Informal feedback mechanisms include, but are not limited to, input received from all sources via:
- Feedback/suggestions box
- Email/website/telephone- Surveys (paper or electronic)
- In person conversation - open door policy
Input received through intake and exit processes for both service recipients and staff will also be included as feedback received.
Responsible Program Coordinators will record all feedback received (along with information on the source of feedback) and present at meetings as per Executive Planning Calendar to other Program Coordinators, Quality Services Coordinator, and Executive Director.
Written record of feedback received will be provided to the Quality Services Coordinator. All feedback will be included in the annual Agency Report.
All individuals and their family members have the opportunity to provide feedback. Your input is appreciated and will assist the agency to improve its services. Access Resources conducts annual feedback surveys every October. If you have not yet received a feedback form/survey, please request one; we would be please to provide you with a survey. In addition to annual surveys, you can always contact us at any time.
Should you discontinue services with Access Resources, we will be pleased to arrange an exit interview which will provide you the opportunity to give valuable feedback about Access Resources and its services. This information is collected on an exit survey, and it stays confidential.
To continually provide services, feedback is essential - we hope you let us know how we did in providing your supports!
WORKING HOURS
Monday
08:30 am - 05:00 pm
Tuesday
08:30 am - 05:00 pm
Wednesday
08:30am - 05:00 pm
Thursday
08:30 am - 05:00 pm
Friday
08:30 am - 05:00 pm
Saturday
Closed
Sunday
Closed