While some areas of our farm and experiences are wheelchair accessible, others involve outdoor terrain and steps that may pose limitations.
The following information is provided to help you plan your visit with confidence.
🅿️ Parking & Entry
We offer designated accessible parking spaces in our main lot, located close to the entrance of the farm. Key buildings including the Maple Sweet Shop, Sugar Shack, and washroom facilities feature wheelchair-accessible doorways (minimum 32” wide) and are situated on level ground with no steps. At this time we do not have automatic doors installed in our buildings; please ask a member of our staff to assist you with doors if needed.
♿ Wheelchairs
The majority of tours include a wagon ride to our forest, which requires guests to climb three steps to board and disembark from the wagon. The trails in the Sugar Bush are not wheelchair accessible as there are several steep hills and the ground can be uneven with loose stones in places. Guests using folding walkers with seats or foldable wheelchairs, and who are comfortable walking short distances (up to 10 minutes between stops), may still find portions of the tour manageable. Benches are provided at each stop for rest. We encourage guests with mobility concerns to use their discretion based on their individual needs.
📣 Statement of Organizational Commitment
At White Meadows Farms, we are committed to serving all customers, including people with disabilities, with excellence. We treat individuals in ways that respect their dignity and independence, and we strive for full integration and equal opportunity.
We are committed to meeting the requirements of the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act, 2005 (AODA) and all applicable accessibility laws in a timely manner. We also recognize and uphold our obligations under the Ontario Human Rights Code with respect to non-discrimination.
Our accessible customer service policies align with the principles of independence, dignity, integration, and equal opportunity for people with disabilities.
📝 Training
We train:
- All employees
- Individuals involved in developing our policies
Training is relevant to each person’s role and includes:
- The purpose of the AODA and requirements of the Customer Service Standards
- Our internal accessibility policy
- How to interact and communicate with people with various disabilities
- How to support individuals who use assistive devices, service animals, or support persons
- What to do if a person with a disability is having difficulty accessing our goods, services, or facilities
Training is provided as soon as practicable after hiring and when changes are made to our policies. We maintain records of all training sessions, including dates and attendance.
💬 Communication
We will communicate with people with disabilities in ways that take into account their specific needs. We will work with individuals to determine the most effective method of communication.
🐕🦺 Service Animals
We welcome people with disabilities and their service animals. Service animals are permitted in all public areas of our premises.
To help us recognize a service animal, it should either:
- Be visibly identifiable (e.g., wearing a vest or harness), or
- Be accompanied by documentation from a regulated healthcare professional confirming the need for the service animal
Note: Emotional support animals are not considered service animals under Ontario law, and access is not required under AODA.
👥 Support Persons
Guests with disabilities who require assistance are welcome to bring a support person. Visitors presenting an Access 2 Card may have their support person accompany them free of charge on ticketed experiences. Please show the card at booking or upon arrival.
⚠️ Notice of Temporary Disruption
In the event of a planned or unexpected disruption to services or facilities used by customers with disabilities, White Meadows Farms will notify customers promptly.
The notice will include:
- The reason for the disruption
- Its expected duration
- Alternative services or facilities, if available
Facility: Washrooms located inside the Maple Lodge.
Notices: Will be posted at the affected location and on our website.
📧 Feedback
We welcome feedback on how we provide goods and services to people with disabilities. Feedback can be shared by:
- Email: info@whitemeadowsfarms.com
- Phone: 905-682-0642
✏️ Changes to Existing Policies
We will review and modify any policies that do not support the principles of dignity, independence, integration, and equal opportunity for people with disabilities.
🍁 Employment
We are committed to fair and accessible employment practices.
We notify job applicants that accommodations are available during the recruitment process. Applicants selected for interviews will be informed that accommodations are available upon request. We consult with them to arrange appropriate accommodations.
Successful candidates will be informed of our policies for supporting employees with disabilities when offers are made.
Employees are notified of available supports as soon as practicable after starting their role, and whenever policies affecting accessibility are updated.
