Accessibility Policy

Effective Date: Jan 2025

1. Our Commitment to Accessibility

Thomas Family and Cosmetic Dentistry of Winter Park is committed to ensuring that our website and dental services are accessible to everyone, including individuals with disabilities. We strive to provide an inclusive experience that allows all patients to access our information and services with ease and dignity.

Practice Information:

2. Accessibility Standards

We endeavor to conform to the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) 2.1 Level AA standards. These guidelines help make web content more accessible to people with various disabilities, including:

  • Visual impairments (blindness, low vision, color blindness)

  • Hearing impairments (deafness, hard of hearing)

  • Motor impairments (limited fine motor control, paralysis)

  • Cognitive impairments (learning disabilities, attention deficits, memory issues)

3. Website Accessibility Features

Our website includes the following accessibility features:

  • Alternative text descriptions for images and graphics

  • Keyboard navigation compatibility for users who cannot use a mouse

  • Proper heading structure to assist screen reader users

  • Adequate color contrast between text and background elements

  • Resizable text up to 200% without loss of functionality

  • Clear and consistent navigation throughout the site

  • Descriptive link text that explains link destinations

  • Form labels properly associated with input fields

  • Skip navigation links to main content areas

4. Physical Office Accessibility

Our dental office at 201 N Lakemont Ave # 300, Winter Park, FL 32792 is designed to accommodate patients with disabilities:

Building Access

  • Wheelchair accessible entrance with automatic door options

  • Accessible parking spaces available near the entrance

  • Elevator access to our third-floor suite

  • Wide doorways and hallways throughout the office

  • Accessible restrooms with appropriate grab bars and space

Treatment Areas

  • Transfer-accessible dental chairs with adjustable positioning

  • Clear pathways to all treatment rooms

  • Accessible patient consultation areas

  • Visual and tactile wayfinding throughout the office

  • Adequate lighting in all patient areas

5. Communication Accessibility

We provide multiple communication options to serve all patients:

Available Services

  • Primary Phone Line: (407) 644-1455 (Voice calls)

  • TTY/TDD services available upon request

  • Sign language interpreters available with 48-hour advance notice

  • Written communication options for patients who prefer text-based interaction

  • Large print materials for forms and educational materials

  • Oral interpretation of written materials and instructions

  • Bilingual staff available for Spanish-speaking patients

Appointment Scheduling

  • Phone scheduling with extended conversation time as needed

  • In-person scheduling at our front desk

  • Written appointment confirmations available upon request

  • Flexible scheduling to accommodate transportation needs

6. Assistive Technology Support

Our website and office systems are designed to work effectively with common assistive technologies:

  • Screen reading software (JAWS, NVDA, VoiceOver)

  • Voice recognition software (Dragon NaturallySpeaking)

  • Screen magnification software (ZoomText, built-in OS magnifiers)

  • Alternative input devices (head pointers, eye-tracking devices)

  • Mobile accessibility features (iOS VoiceOver, Android TalkBack)

7. Patient Care Accommodations

We provide specialized accommodations for dental care:

Sensory Accommodations

  • Noise-reducing environments for patients with auditory sensitivities

  • Dimmed lighting options for patients with light sensitivity

  • Sedation options for patients with anxiety or movement disorders

  • Extended appointment times for patients who need additional assistance

Physical Accommodations

  • Wheelchair transfer assistance to and from dental chairs

  • Positioning aids for patients with mobility limitations

  • Modified dental equipment when necessary for patient comfort

  • Caregiver accompaniment welcomed in treatment areas

8. Staff Training and Awareness

Our team receives ongoing training in:

  • Disability awareness and respectful interaction

  • Assistive technology operation and troubleshooting

  • Emergency procedures for patients with disabilities

  • Communication techniques for various accessibility needs

  • ADA compliance and best practices

9. Ongoing Accessibility Improvements

We continuously work to enhance accessibility through:

  • Regular accessibility audits of our website and facilities

  • Patient feedback collection and implementation

  • Technology updates to improve compatibility with assistive devices

  • Staff education on emerging accessibility practices

  • Facility improvements based on changing accessibility standards

10. Requesting Accommodations

If you need assistance accessing our website or services, please contact us:

  • Phone: (407) 644-1455

  • Address: 201 N Lakemont Ave # 300, Winter Park, FL 32792

When Calling, Please Specify:

  • The type of accommodation needed

  • Preferred communication method

  • Timeline for your visit or information need

  • Any specific assistive technologies you use

We will work with you to provide the information or service you need in an accessible format within a reasonable timeframe.

11. Feedback and Suggestions

We welcome feedback about the accessibility of our website and dental services. Your input helps us identify areas for improvement and ensures we meet the diverse needs of our patient community.

How to Provide Feedback:

  • Call us: (407) 644-1455

  • Visit in person: 201 N Lakemont Ave # 300, Winter Park, FL 32792

  • Written feedback can be submitted during your visit

Please include:

  • Description of the accessibility barrier encountered

  • Specific location (website page or office area)

  • Suggestions for improvement

  • Your preferred method for follow-up communication

12. Grievance Procedure

If you believe you have experienced discrimination or been denied access to our services due to a disability, we have established the following grievance procedure:

Step 1: Informal Resolution

Contact our office manager at (407) 644-1455 to discuss the issue. We aim to resolve concerns promptly and informally when possible.

Step 2: Formal Complaint

If informal resolution is not successful, you may submit a written complaint including:

  • Your name and contact information

  • Date and description of the accessibility barrier

  • Specific accommodation that was denied or inadequate

  • Desired resolution

Step 3: Investigation and Response

  • We will acknowledge receipt of your complaint within 3 business days

  • A thorough investigation will be conducted within 10 business days

  • You will receive a written response detailing our findings and proposed resolution

  • If needed, corrective actions will be implemented promptly

Step 4: Appeal Process

If you are not satisfied with our initial response, you may request a review by our practice owner within 5 business days of receiving our response.

13. Third-Party Content and Services

While we strive to ensure all content on our website meets accessibility standards, some content may be provided by third parties. We cannot fully control the accessibility of third-party content, but we will:

  • Work to address accessibility issues when brought to our attention

  • Provide alternative access methods to the same information

  • Consider accessibility when selecting third-party providers

14. Alternative Access Methods

If any part of our website or services is not accessible to you, we offer these alternative methods:

Information Access

  • Phone consultation: (407) 644-1455 for detailed service information

  • In-person consultation at our Winter Park office

  • Printed materials in alternative formats (large print, Braille upon request)

  • Verbal description of website content and visual materials

Service Access

  • In-person assistance for all services offered online

  • Extended consultation time for complex information needs

  • Simplified forms and documentation when appropriate

  • Caregiver assistance welcomed for all interactions

15. Legal Compliance

This accessibility policy demonstrates our commitment to compliance with:

  • Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)

  • Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act

  • Florida accessibility requirements

  • WCAG 2.1 Level AA guidelines

16. Policy Updates

We review and update this Accessibility Policy annually or when:

  • New accessibility technologies become available

  • Our services or website undergo significant changes

  • Accessibility standards are updated

  • Patient feedback indicates needed improvements

Updated versions will be posted on our website with a new effective date.

17. Contact Information

Thomas Family and Cosmetic Dentistry of Winter Park

Dr. Donald Thomas, DMD
201 N Lakemont Ave # 300
Winter Park, FL 32792
Phone: (407) 644-1455
Website: https://www.donaldthomasdmd.com/