STANDARD GUIDELINES FOR PARTICIPATION
IN PROGRAMS AND ACTIVITIES OFFERED BY THE TAUNTON COUNCIL ON AGING FOR TAUNTON RESIDENTS SIXTY (60)
YEARS OF AGE OR OLDER*
PROGRAMS AND ACTIVITIES OF THE TAUNTON COUNCIL ON AGING, UNDER THE AUSPICES OF THE CITY OF TAUNTON DEPARTMENT OF HUMAN SERVICES, ARE DESIGNED FOR AND TARGETED TO ELDERS SIXTY (60) YEARS OF AGE AND OLDER.
THE TAUNTON COUNCIL ON AGING HAS ADOPTED STANDARDS OF INDEPENDENCE AND BEHAVIOR FOR PARTICIPANTS. PARTICIPANTS ARE URGED TO ARRANGE FOR PERSONAL COMPANIONS IF THEY NEED SPECIAL ASSISTANCE IN THEIR DAILY ROUTINES, INCLUDING PERSONAL AND MEDICAL CARE.
AS STATED WITHIN THE AMERICANS WITH DISABILITIES ACT UNDER TITLE III, REGULATION 36.302 (a) "A PUBLIC ACCOMMODATION SHALL MAKE REASONABLE MODIFICATIONS IN POLICIES, PRACTICES, OR PROCEDURES WHEN THE MODIFICATIONS ARE NECESSARY TO AFFORD GOODS, SERVICES, FACILITIES, PRIVILEGES, ADVANTAGES, OR ACCOMMODATIONS TO INDIVIDUALS WITH DISABILITIES, UNLESS THE PUBLIC ACCOMMODATION CAN DEMONSTRATE THAT MAKING THE MODIFICATIONS WOULD FUNDAMENTALLY ALTER THE NATURE OF THE GOODS, SERVICES, FACILITIES, PRIVILEGES, ADVANTAGES, OR ACCOMMODATIONS.
IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE AMERICANS WITH DISABILITIES ACT, A PUBLIC ACCOMMODATION IS NOT REQUIRED TO PROVIDE ITS CUSTOMERS, CLIENTS, OR PARTICIPANTS WITH PERSONAL DEVICES, SUCH AS WHEELCHAIRS; INDIVIDUALLY PRESCRIBED DEVICES, SUCH AS PRESCRIPTION EYEGLASSES OR HEARING AIDS; OR SERVICES OF A PERSONAL NATURE INCLUDING ASSISTANCE IN EATING, TOILETING, OR DRESSING.
PARTICIPANTS OF PROGRAMS AND ACTIVITIES OFFERED BY THE TAUNTON COUNCIL ON AGING MUST:
1) BE RESPONSIBLE FOR PERSONAL CARE, I.E., HYGIENE, TOILETING, CONTINENCE, CLEANLINESS, FEEDING, AND DRESSING. THE TAUNTON COUNCIL ON AGING IS NOT RESPONSIBLE FOR PROVIDING ASSISTANCE WITH PERSONAL CARE.
2) HAVE A CLEAR UNDERSTANDING OF COMMON COURTESY WHILE INTERACTING WITH OTHER PARTICIPANTS AND STAFF AND RESPECT FOR THEIR PROPERTY AND FOR THE BUILDING AND ITS CONTENTS. HARASSMENT OF ANY KIND, VIOLENCE OR THREATENING BEHAVIORS IS NOT PERMITTED.
3) NOT DISTURB OR DISRUPT INDIVIDUALS, PROGRAMS OR ACTIVITIES OFFERED BY THE TAUNTON COUNCIL ON AGING; REFRAIN FROM BRINGING ALCOHOL OR ILLEGAL SUBSTANCES ON THE PREMISES AND REFRAIN FROM INEBRIATED OR PROBLEM BEHAVIOR. PROBLEM BEHAVIOR IS ANY BEHAVIOR WHICH EITHER CONSCIOUSLY OR UNCONSCIOUSLY VIOLATES OR RESTRICTS THE RIGHTS OF OTHERS TO USE THE TAUNTON COUNCIL ON AGING PROGRAMS AND ACTIVITIES.
4) NO PERSON WILL BRING INTO THE SENIOR CENTER A FIREARM, KNIFE OR ANY OTHER DANGEROUS WEAPON. (EXEMPT FROM THIS RULE ARE LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICIALS)
5) BE RESPONSIBLE FOR THEIR OWN SUPERVISION, CAPABLE OF INDEPENDENT DECISION MAKING AND BE REASONABLY ORIENTED TO SURROUNDINGS AT AND AROUND TAUNTON COUNCIL ON AGING PROGRAMS AND ACTIVITIES (UNLESS ACCOMPANIED BY A PERSONAL COMPANION).
6) BE RESPONSIBLE FOR OWN HEALTH CARE I.E., MEDICATIONS, SPECIAL DIETS, MEDICAL APPOINTMENTS, EMERGENCY PROVISIONS. THE TAUNTON COUNCIL ON AGING IS NOT RESPONSIBLE FOR PROVIDING ASSISTANCE WITH MEDICATIONS AND OTHER PERSONAL HEALTH AND MEDICAL CARE.
7) ADHERE TO TAUNTON COUNCIL ON AGING POLICIES REGARDING SMOKING RESTRICTIONS, HEALTH CODES, SEXUAL HARASSMENT AND APPROPRIATE DRESS.
IF ANY INAPPROPRIATE BEHAVIOR IS WITNESSED OR REPORTED, ADMINISTRATIVE STAFF WILL USE DISCRETION TO TAKE CORRECTIVE ACTION.
THE CORRECTIVE ACTION WILL BE AS FOLLOWS:
1. TAUNTON COUNCIL ON AGING ADMINISTRATIVE STAFF WILL MEET WITH ELDER PARTICIPANT AND REVIEW "STANDARD GUIDELINES FOR PARTICIPATION" AND INFORM THEM OF THEIR VIOLATION OF THE GUIDELINES.
IF A PARTICIPANT CANNOT MEET THE REQUIRED STANDARDS, STAFF IS AVAILABLE TO SHARE RESOURCES AND TO DISCUSS OPTIONS.
2. BASED ON THE VIOLATION, STAFF WILL DETERMINE APPROPRIATE CORRECTIVE ACTIONS: I.E., ASK THE PARTICIPANT TO ABSTAIN FROM INAPPROPRIATE BEHAVIOR, ASK THE PARTICIPANT TO LEAVE THE FACILITY/PROGRAM, OR, IF NECESSARY, EXPULSION FROM ACTIVITIES UNTIL FURTHER NOTICE. IF DEEMED NECESSARY BY STAFF, POLICE MAY BE CALLED FOR ASSISTANCE.
APPEALS PROCESS: IF AN ELDER PARTICIPANT WISHES TO APPEAL ANY SECTION OF THE "STANDARD GUIDELINES FOR PARTICIPATION" THEY SHALL PUT THEIR REQUEST IN WRITING TO THE CHAIRMAN OF THE BOARD OF THE DEPARTMENT OF HUMAN SERVICES. IF THE ELDER PARTICIPANT IS UNABLE TO PROVIDE A WRITTEN STATEMENT, A VOICE TAPE STATEMENT WILL BE ACCEPTED.
REVISED 3/16/05
* AGE AS ESTABLISHED BY THE EXECUTIVE OFFICE OF ELDER AFFAIRS.
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