Inclusion & Accessibility
Our commitment to clients & partners in creating a welcoming environment that celebrates diversity
Inclusion and accessibility contribute greatly to the leadership and longevity of Surrey Place. We value and respect the diversity of our clients, families, teams, volunteers, staff and our community partners, ensuring that they all feel welcome. Through our actions, we aim to promote best practices and principles that result in better services, programs, partnerships and client experiences in a safe and healthy environment.
We strive to make equal access and opportunity the norm for our clients and their families. Our staff and volunteers are given comprehensive training to ensure that they understand and meet the needs of clients and communities. Additionally, the organization embeds inclusion and accessibility into all policies, initiatives and plans to encourage underrepresented groups to join and participate at Surrey Place.
We recognize the systemic barriers that can create unequal conditions that disadvantage vulnerable communities. As an organization that provides services and programs to people with intellectual and developmental disabilities, we are determined to keep fighting for better right now and in the future.
Accessibility Plan
A comprehensive approach to accessibility to reduce structural, information, communication and technology barriers and ensure that all clients, staff and community members feel welcome.
Our Commitment to Equity, Diversity, Inclusion and Accessibility
At Surrey Place, Equity, Diversity, Inclusion and Accessibility (EDIA) are core to our guiding principles. We are committed to creating a collaborative and inclusive environment that celebrates diversity, eliminates barriers to accessing services and upholds the right to belong. We embrace and value individuals with diverse identities, backgrounds, cultures, races, and abilities.
Our mission is to deliver culturally sensitive clinical services and empower individuals and families at every stage of their journey. In our mission, we are rooted in respect and empathy, and working towards embedding EDIA practices by building a safe and accepting experience for everyone. We embody these principles in our actions, our curiosity, our collaborative spirit, and the ways in which we are open to varying perspectives. In turn, it has inspired us to approach concepts differently, express ourselves openly, and foster growth.
Surrey Place remains resolute to dismantle barriers of all kinds, creating a representative and inclusive environment for clients, families, staff and our communities, particularly those from underrepresented groups. We are developing awareness, so we can nurture a culture of mutual understanding and shared responsibility for the well-being of our community.
Our Commitment to Indigenous Inclusion and Reconciliation
We strongly believe in the value of building knowledge and understanding of Indigenous perspectives to continue broadening our inclusion, Reconciliation and accessibility practices at Surrey Place. Our team is working towards incorporating Indigenous perspectives, and building knowledge such as ongoing training, professional development and strategic planning. We continue to work closely with an Indigenous Strategic Advisor, Indigenous partners and staff to deepen our knowledge of historical and contemporary issues that Indigenous communities face. These steps have supported key components in our strategic plan, including strengthening our commitments to inclusion and cultural awareness for our clients. Additionally, we have created spaces for our staff, board members and clinicians to consult with the Advisor to ask questions and explore topics. So far, we have trained more than 500 staff, partners and board members. We look forward to continuing to learn how to better serve and work with Indigenous people and communities.
Our Commitment to Anti-Black Racism
We denounce anti-Black racism, violence against the Black community, and the systemic racism and oppression that continues today. At Surrey Place, we are grounded in empowering individuals and their families all throughout their lives. This cannot be achieved if we do not actively work against anti-Black racism and support the communities we serve and the employees we staff.
Our commitment drives us to continually review and enhance policies, processes and practices to fight against anti-Black racism. We are also dedicated to amplifying the voices of the Black community, including staff and clients by listening to and building lived experiences in our work plan and its outputs, including training, education and policies.
In 2021, we formalized our Anti-Racism: Black Cultural Awareness Consulting and Training Group, borne out of the advocacy of Black staff members of Surrey Place. The group provides invaluable direction and feedback to all levels of our staff on best practices for developing anti-Black racism work.
We continue to address and learn about anti-Black racist actions, practices and procedures to better support the Black community members we serve, and the society in which we live.
Land Acknowledgment
We recognize that Toronto is located on the traditional territory of many diverse Indigenous nations.