Accessibility Policy & Multi Year Accessibility PlanAccessibility for Ontarians With Disabilities Act, 2005 (AODA)Customer Service & Integrated Accessibility Standards
1. Purpose/Background Information
The Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act, 2005 (the “AODA”) develops, implements, and enforces accessibility standards with the aim of achieving accessibility for persons with disabilities with respect to goods, services, facilities, accommodation, employment, buildings, structures, and premises.
Under the AODA, Ontario Regulation 191/11 – Integrated Accessibility Standards (the “IAS”) came into force on July 1, 2011. The IAS establishes accessibility standards specific to information and communications, employment, transportation, and the design of public spaces for public and private sector organizations that provide goods, services or facilities to the public or other third parties.
Effective January 1, 2014, large employers in Ontario, including Mother Parkers are required to prepare an Accessibility Policy and a Multi-Year Accessibility Plan to be in compliance with the AODA and the IAS.
This policy reflects Mother Parkers’ commitment under the AODA and IAS to persons with disabilities.
2. Application and Scope
This Policy is made pursuant to the requirements of the AODA and the IAS. It addresses how Mother Parkers achieves its accessibility obligations. It provides the overall strategic direction that will be followed to meet the accessibility needs of persons with disabilities.
This Policy applies to all employees; all persons who participate in developing Mother Parkers’ policies; and all other persons who provide access to goods, services or facilities on behalf of Mother Parkers.
Mother Parkers commitment to persons with disabilities spans the breadth of its operations.
3. Definitions
4. Statement of Commitment
Mother Parkers is committed to excellence in serving its customers, vendors, contractors and others who access its facilities, goods and services, including people with disabilities. Mother Parkers is committed to providing access to our facilities, goods and services in a manner that is consistent with these values in order to ensure that people with disabilities may obtain, use or benefit from our goods and services equally.
Mother Parkers is committed to meeting the needs of persons with disabilities in a timely manner and will do so by preventing and removing barriers to accessibility in customer service, information and communication, employment, the built environment and transportation, where applicable. Mother Parkers is committed to meeting the requirements of applicable legislation, including the AODA, the IAS and the Human Rights Code.
5. General Provisions
Mother Parkers will establish, implement, maintain and update a Multi-Year Accessibility Plan which outlines the organization’s strategy to prevent and remove barriers and meet requirements under the IAS. The Multi-Year Plan will be reviewed and updated once every five years.
Mother Parkers shall incorporate accessibility criteria and features when procuring or acquiring goods, services, or facilities, except where it is not practicable to do so. In the event it is not practicable to do so, an explanation will be provided upon request.
Mother Parkers will ensure that training is provided as required by the IAS. The content of the training will include the requirements of the accessibility standards referred to in the IAS and the Human Rights Code as it pertains to persons with disabilities. The training provided shall be appropriate to the duties and needs of those being trained.
6. Customer Service
Mother Parkers is committed to excellence in serving all customers including people with disabilities.
We will ensure that our staff is trained on and familiar with various assistive devices that may be used by customers with disabilities while accessing our premises.
We will communicate with people with disabilities in ways that take into account their disability.
We welcome people with disabilities and their service animals. Service animals are allowed on the parts of our premises that are open to the public. As we are in the business of manufacturing and processing food product, service animals may not be permitted in certain areas of our facilities and laboratories.
A person with a disability who is accompanied by a support person will be allowed to have that person accompany them on our premises.
In the event of a planned or unexpected disruption to services or facilities for customers with disabilities, such as accessible washrooms and entrance doors, we will notify customers promptly. This clearly posted notice will include information about the reason for the disruption, its anticipated length of time, and a description of alternative facilities or services, if available. This notice will be placed at the affected areas.
Mother Parkers will provide training to employees and others who deal with the public or other third parties on their behalf.
Staff will also be trained when changes to the plan are made.
Mother Parkers has processes in place for receiving and responding to feedback and will ensure that these processes are provided in Accessible Formats and with Communication Supports, upon request. Further information about feedback processes is found at the end of this Policy.
7. Information and Communications Standards
Mother Parkers is committed to meeting the communication needs of persons with disabilities in accordance with the IAS and will notify the public about the availability of Accessible Formats and Communication Supports as required.
Upon request, Mother Parkers will provide or arrange for the provision of Accessible Formats and Communication Supports for persons with disabilities in a timely manner and at a cost that is not greater than the cost charged to other persons, if any.
Where Mother Parkers prepares emergency procedures, plans or public safety information and makes such information available to the public, Mother Parkers shall provide the information in an Accessible Format or with appropriate Communication Supports, as soon as practicable, upon request.
Mother Parkers shall produce new internet website and web content in conformity with the World Wide Web Consortium Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG 2.0) as required by the IAS.
8. Employment Standards
Mother Parkers is committed to fair and accessible employment practices and policies. The IAS Employment Standards outline requirements for the accommodation of persons with disabilities in the employment context. The IAS Employment Standards cover the entire breadth of the employment relationship from recruitment processes through to the conclusion of employment with Mother Parkers.
Mother Parkers shall notify employees and the public about the availability of accommodation for applicants with disabilities in its recruitment processes.
Mother Parkers shall inform its employees of its policies used to support its employees with disabilities, including, but not limited to, policies on the provision of workplace accommodations that take into account an employee’s accessibility needs.
Upon request by an employee with a disability, Mother Parkers shall consult with the employee to provide or arrange for the provision of suitable Accessible Formats and Communication Supports for:
Mother Parkers shall provide individualized workplace emergency response information to employees who have a disability if the disability is such that the individualized information is necessary and the employer is aware of the need for accommodation. Mother Parkers shall provide the information as soon as practicable after becoming aware of the need for accommodation.
Mother Parkers shall develop and implement a written process for the development of documented individual accommodation plans for employees with disabilities. The process shall include the following elements:
Individual accommodation plans shall, if requested, include any information regarding Accessible Formats and Communication Supports provided; if requested, include individualized workplace emergency response information; and identify any other accommodation that is to be provided.
Mother Parkers shall have in place a documented return-to-work process for employees who have been absent from work due to a disability and require disability-related accommodation in order to return to work. The process shall outline the steps Mother Parkers will take to facilitate the return-to-work of employees absent due to disability and include documented individual accommodation plans.
Mother Parkers shall take into account the accessibility needs and/or individual accommodation plans of employees when:
9. Transportation Standards
Not applicable.
10. Design of Public Spaces Standards (Accessibility Standards for the Built Environment)
Mother Parkers is committed to designing public spaces that are free from barriers and are accessible to all persons we serve. Mother Parkers will comply with the Design of Public Spaces Standards with respect to public spaces that are newly constructed or redeveloped.
Feedback and Questions?
If you have any questions about this Policy, or our accessibility initiatives please let us know. Feedback on this Policy and the company’s accessibility measures is welcomed by Mother Parkers. Feedback can be provided through various means and in various forms.
If you have questions, concerns or comments about Mother Parkers’ Accessibility Policy and/or Accessibility Plan, please contact:
Name: Trish Ball
Tel: 905-273-2393
Email: tball@mother-parker.com
All feedback received will be reviewed within a reasonable time period and Mother Parkers will take all appropriate steps to address any issues raised. All complaints will be processed in accordance with Mother Parkers’ complaints process.
Copies
Copies of this Policy and any associated procedures are available upon request and in various Accessible Formats.
Reference
Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act, 2005
Regulation 191/11 made under the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act, 2005 (Integrated Accessibility Standards)
Appendix “A”
Document/Policy Title: Accessibility Policy & Multi Year Accessibility PlanDate approved: February 8, 2021Approver(s): CHRODocument/policy owner: CHRO