Click here for PDF copy of SSI Privacy Policy August 2020

INTRODUCTION
The Speech & Stuttering Institute is committed to protecting your privacy. We collect personal information
about you and/or your child and family (e.g. age, home address, e-mail address, phone number,
developmental and medical history) so that we can provide the best and most appropriate speech and
language services. We are required by law to keep your personal information private. This information
sheet explains the reasons we collect personal information and how it is used and protected.
HOW DO WE USE YOUR INFORMATION?
The information you give us and that is collected by our staff during intake, assessment and treatment is
used to provide you/your child with the best possible speech-language services. The information may
also be shared with students who are doing clinical placements at our Institute. The information we collect
may also be used for other purposes such as evaluating our programs, for quality improvement projects
and for collecting statistics.
WHO CAN LOOK AT YOUR INFORMATION?
We only share your information with those individuals who need it to provide you/your child with speechlanguage services. We also give your information to those who have a legal right to it. These individuals
may include:
• You or the person making decisions for you.
• The Speech & Stuttering Institute staff involved in providing services to you.
• Students doing clinical placements at our Institute.
• Service providers that are contracted by The Speech & Stuttering Institute.
• Individuals working for Health Regulatory agencies as required by regulations or the law.
• Other people, with your consent or where required by law (e.g. supplemental benefit providers).
HOW DO WE PROTECT YOUR INFORMATION?
• We take special measures to ensure that your information remains private and access to your records
is restricted.
• We ask for your consent before we share your information with anyone for any purpose other than
providing speech and language services at our Institute.
• We keep your information accurate and as up to date as possible. You may see the information we
collect about you and your family at any time.
• We keep your information for as long as it is needed for continuity of care or required by law.
• We only use your personal information for research and education purposes with your consent.
• We investigate any of your concerns regarding how we collect and protect your information.
• We advise you that communication via e-mail is not guaranteed to be secure and ask for your
consent to send and receive personal information via email.
• We advise you that we take measures to maximize privacy and security settings for sessions held via
videoconferencing and ask for your acknowledgment of the risks and for your consent to participate.
WHAT INFORMATION IS USED FOR FUNDRAISING?
As a non-profit organization, The Speech & Stuttering Institute raises money to support our programs and
may contact you during a fundraising campaign. Only names, addresses, phone numbers and email
addresses are used for fundraising purposes. No other information is shared. The money you donate to
The Speech & Stuttering Institute will be used to improve our clinical programs and support our subsidy
program for clients in financial need. You may ask to be removed from the fundraising contact list at any
time by contacting our Clinical Director at 416-491-7771, ext. 236, or by sending us an email at
info@speechandstuttering.com. The services you receive will not be affected if you decide not to
participate in our fundraising activities.
If you have any questions, comments or requests, please contact our Clinical Director at:
Phone: 416-491-7771, ext. 236
Fax: 416-491-7215
E-mail: info@speechandstuttering.com

If you do not receive a timely reply please check your spam/junk folder as replies may end up there. Please also include a phone number in your email.

Address: 95 Barber Greene Rd, Suite 308, Toronto, ON, M3C 3E9

Revised August 2020

Click here for PDF copy of SSI In House Policies August 2020

Welcome to the new location of The Speech & Stuttering Institute at 95 Barber Greene Rd, Suite 308!

Please help us to maintain a safe environment for all of our clients and staff members by following the policies below:
• To ensure client safety and confidentiality, please do not enter rooms or offices other than the therapy room indicated by your clinician.
• Please do not use your cell phone during therapy sessions without clinician consent.
• To make or take cell phone calls, please step out to the elevator area and monitor your volume to maintain your privacy and to ensure a quiet environment for other clients, staff and visitors to the building.
• Please do not use your cell phone or other electronic device to record video or audio during a therapy session.
• Please keep noise to a minimum when walking in the halls.
• Please do not bring food into the clinic. If you or your child need to eat during your visit, please speak with the receptionist regarding an appropriate location.
• Please do not wear scented products as some individuals are highly sensitive to strong scents and fragrances.
• Please do not leave your child unsupervised at any time.
• Please accompany your child to the washroom. Washrooms are located just beyond the glass doors outside the entrance to our clinic.

COVID-19: During the COVID-19 pandemic, the health and safety of our clients and staff are of the utmost importance. We continue to monitor public health guidance and the recommendations of the Ministry of Health and our regulatory body, CASLPO, in order to
update our policies for on-site assessment/treatment sessions accordingly. Please follow the policies and procedures for in-person visits and pre-visit screening as communicated by your SLP (and posted on our website) at the time of your appointment.
If you have any questions regarding the above, please feel free to speak with your clinician. We greatly appreciate your cooperation.

Revised August 2020

Policies for in-person appointments | as of February 2023

SSI is committed to protecting the health and safety of our clients and staff. Reducing the spread of illness helps us keep services running without interruption for all clients (in-person and virtual).

Visitors

  • Adults are asked to attend in-person sessions alone.
  • Children should attend with one parent/caregiver only.
  • Please speak to your SLP in advance if you need to bring a sibling or other family member as we have limited room to accommodate visitors.

Masks

  • Please wear a mask to our office and keep it on in common areas such as the waiting room and hallways.
  • We will gladly provide a mask should you forget to bring one.
  • Your SLP will let you/your child know if it’s ok to remove your mask in the treatment room.
  • Your SLP will wear her mask/shield and other PPE as appropriate.

Illness Policy

  • Please stay home if you/your child have signs of illness, even mild. Therapy sessions may be less beneficial for clients who are sick, and coming to therapy sick exposes your SLP and others to illness.
  • We request 24 hours notice if you can’t attend a session, but please get in touch with your clinician if you/your child fall ill with less notice.
  • We encourage you to switch to a virtual session if you/your child feel well enough to participate despite your symptoms. Contact your SLP to make this request.
  • Sessions will not be held for clients/parents who arrive in the office showing signs of illness, per our illness policy (full session fee will apply).
  • Follow the province’s recommendations based on the COVID-19 screening if you/your child, a family member or close contact are ill:
    https://covid-19.ontario.ca/self-assessment/
  • Your clinician will contact you to switch to a virtual session if she is showing signs of illness, and/or based on screening results.

Vaccination

  • SSI strongly encourages all staff to stay up to date on COVID-19 vaccinations/boosters to best protect themselves, our clients/families, and the community.
  • We urge clients/families to follow the public health recommendations that apply to them.

SSI continues to comply with CASLPO’s infection prevention and control standards.  Our strategies include sanitizing surfaces and materials, regular handwashing, respiratory etiquette, and the use of air purifiers in the treatment rooms.

All policies are subject to change based on conditions, advice from the local public health unit, and/or guidance from the province, the Ministry of Health, and CASLPO.