Commitment
The Company is committed, as reasonably as possible, to providing an accessible environment in which all individuals have equal access to the Company’s services in such ways so as to maintain their dignity and independence. The Company believes in integration and will make reasonable attempts to allow all persons to benefit from the same services, in a similar manner and in the same place as may reasonably be available, all in compliance with both the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act, 2005 together with applicable regulations (such as the Integrated Accessibility Standards Regulation), as amended from time to time (the “AODA”) and the Ontario Human Rights Code (the “OHRC”) ), as amended from time to time, as the standards are introduced and become law.
The Company is committed to excellence in serving all customers, including persons with disabilities and identifying and taking steps to remove barriers to accessibility in customer service, information and communication, employment and the built environment.
All applicable management and staff will be made aware of and trained to better understand the Accessibility Policy and to effectively implement the applicable procedures.
Definitions
“Assistive devices” means an auxiliary aid such as communication aids, cognitive aids, personal mobility aids and medical aids (i.e. wheelchairs, crutches, canes or hearing aids)
“Disability” means:
Any degree of physical disability, infirmity, malformation or disfiguration caused by bodily injury, birth defect or illness and includes without limitation:
Diabetes mellitus;
Epilepsy;
A brain injury;
Any degree of paralysis;
Amputation;
Lack of physical coordination;
Blindness or visual impediment;
Deafness or hearing impediment;
Muteness or speech impediment; or
Physical reliance of a guide dog or other animal, or on a wheelchair or other remedial appliance or device.
A condition of mental impairment or a development disability;
A learning disability, or a dysfunction in one or more of the processes involved in understanding or using symbols or spoken language;
A mental disorder; or
An injury or disability for which benefits were claimed or received under the insurance plan established under the Workplace Safety and Insurance Act, 1997.
“Service animal” means any animal used by a person with a disability for reasons relating to their disability whether readily apparent or confirmation of which is provided by the person with the disability by way of a letter from a regulated health professional or valid identification card.
“Support person” means any person who accompanies a person with a disability in order to help with communications, personal care, or medical assistance or with access to products or services.
Training
The Company will provide training on the provision of its goods and services to persons with disabilities to:
Employees and volunteers; and
Every person who participates in developing the Company’s policies, procedures and practices governing the provision of services to members of the public or to other third parties; and
Every other person who provides goods, services or facilities on behalf of the Company.
Training will be on-going when changes are made to the policies, procedures and practices and new staff or volunteers will be trained.
The training will include the following:
The purpose of the AODA;
The Accessibility Standards;
The Company’s policies, procedures and practices pertaining to the provisions of goods and services and integration;
How to communicate and interact with persons with various types of disabilities;
How to interact with persons with disabilities who use an assistive device or require the assistance of a service animal or the assistance of a support person;
How to use equipment and devices made available by the Company; and
Protocol to address a situation where a person with a disability is having difficulties accessing the Company’s goods and services.
Assistive Devices
The Company is committed to serving persons with disabilities who use assistive devices to obtain, use or benefit from the Company’s goods and services. .Persons with disabilities may use their own assistive devices to access or benefit from the Company’s goods and services, unless those assistive devices are prohibited due to health and safety or privacy issues.
It is the responsibility of the disabled person to ensure that his/her assistive device is operated in a safe and controlled manner at all times and staff and others providing services on behalf of the Company will follow appropriate etiquette when interacting with persons using assistive devices.
Service Animals
Persons with disabilities accompanied by a service animal will be allowed on the parts of the Company’s premises that are open to the public, unless the animal is excluded by law. The service animal must be in the care of the person with a disability or their support person at all times. If the service animal is excluded by law, reasonable steps will be taken by the staff to accommodate the person with disability on a case by case basis, such as meeting the person at a mutually agreed upon place or another reasonable option.
Support Persons
Persons with disabilities accompanied by a service person will be allowed on the parts of the Company’s premises that are open to the public. On rare occasions, a manager may determine that a support person is required, consistent with certain legal requirements. In these instances, the Company will consult with the person with a disability to understand their needs, consider health or safety reasons based on available evidence and determine appropriate alternatives and assistance to enable them to access the Company’s goods and services.
Communication
The Company will communicate with persons with disabilities in ways that take into account their disabilities. This will include exploring the best form of communication and use of wording as may be applicable. In addition, the Company will offer persons with disabilities the option to communicate by email, telephone relay, in person, in writing or by another reasonable method if telephone communication is not suitable.
Accessible Document Formats
Within a reasonable time following request, and in accordance with the regulations of the AODA, the Company will provide or arrange for the provision of accessible formats for persons with disabilities and at a cost that is not greater than the cost charged to other persons.
The Company will consult the person with disability in determining the suitability of an accessible format.
The Company will notify the public that documents related to accessible customer service are available upon request by posting a notice in a conspicuous place on the Company’s premises and/or the website.
Notice of Temporary Disruption
The Company will provide customers with notice in the event of a planned or expected disruption to the facilities or services. The notice will be placed at public entrances and include information with respect to the reason for the disruption, its anticipated length of time, and a description of any alternative facilities or services, if available.
Employment Standards
The Company will inform its employees and the public about the availability of accommodations for applicants with disabilities in its recruitment and assessment process and when people are hired by:
including the Company’s commitment within job postings, when arranging an interview with qualified applicants, as well as in offer letters of employment; and
providing the successful candidate with the Company’s policies for accommodating employees with disabilities.
If a selected applicant or an employee requests an accommodation, the Company will consult with the applicant/ employee and provide, or arrange for the provision of, a suitable accommodation in a manner that takes into account the applicant’s/ employee’s accessibility needs due to disability.
Upon the request of an employee, and in consultation with the employee to determine the suitability of an accessible format or communication support, the Company will provide, or arrange for the provision of, accessible formats and communications support for information that is needed to perform the employee’s job and information that is generally available to other employees.
Emergency Procedures, Plans and Public Safety Information
When the Company becomes aware that an employee or an individual entering its facilities has a disability, the Company will provide them and anyone designated to help them in an emergency, with emergency response information.
Upon becoming aware of the need for accommodation due to the employee’s disability, the Company will provide an employee with a disability an individualized workplace emergency response information, if the disability is such that it requires individualized information.
The Company will review the individualized workplace emergency response information when the employee moves to a different location in the Company, when the employee’s overall accommodation needs or plans are reviewed, and when the Company reviews its general emergency response policies.
Design of Public Space
The Company will meet the Accessibility Standards for the Design of Public Spaces when building or making major modifications to public spaces, including accessible off street parking and service counters and waiting areas.
Feedback Process
Documentation that describes the Company’s accessibility commitments will be maintained on the Company’s premises.
Comments on the Company’s services and how well those expectations are being met are welcome and appreciated.
Feedback may be provided by contacting Human Resources via email at: info@brockking.com; via telephone at: 416-0703-1877 or in writing at: 35 Lesmill Road, Toronto, ON, M3B 2T3
Any complaints will be addressed as soon as reasonably practicable and the response will be in a format that respects the communication preference of the person with a disability. Additional time may be required to follow up depending on the format of response required.
Privacy will be respected and all feedback will be reviewed for possible action that can be taken by the Company to improve the Company’s policies, procedures and practices.
Modification to Policies
Any policy, practice or procedure of the Company that does not respect or promote the dignity, independence, integration and equal opportunity for persons with disabilities will be modified or revoked.