Accessibility

Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA) Policies

Statement Of Organizational Commitment

The Firm is committed to ensuring equal access and participation for people with disabilities. We are committed to treating people with disabilities in a way that allows them to maintain their dignity and independence. We believe in integration and we are committed to meeting the needs of people with disabilities in a timely manner. We will do so by removing and preventing barriers to accessibility and meeting our accessibility requirements under the Accessibility for Ontarians with

Disabilities Act and Ontario’s accessibility laws.

Training

We are committed to training staff and volunteers in Ontario’s accessibility laws and aspects of the Ontario Human Rights Code that relate to persons with disabilities. We will train our team members and volunteers on accessibility as it relates to their specific roles.

Information And Communications

We will communicate with people with disabilities in ways that take into account their disability. When asked, we will provide information about our organization and its services, including public safety information, in accessible formats or with communication supports. We will also meet internationally recognized Web Content Accessibility Guidelines for website requirements in accordance with Ontario’s accessibility laws.

Employment

We will notify team members, potential hires and the public accommodations can be made during recruitment and hiring. We will notify staff of available supports for those with disabilities. We will put in place a process to develop individual accommodation plans for team members as needed. Where needed, we will also provide customized emergency information to help a team member with a disability during an emergency. Our performance management and career development processes will take into account the accessibility needs of all team members.

Changes To Existing Policies

We will modify or remove an existing policy that does not respect and promote the dignity and independence of people with disabilities.

Customer Service Standard for Persons with Disabilities

The Firm strives to provide a barrier-free environment for its clients and to provide goods and services to people with disabilities in a manner that respects their dignity, and independence, assuring equality of opportunity and integration, and ensuring they receive the same high standard of service excellence that the Firm endeavours to provide to all clients.

The goal of the AODA is to create a more accessible Ontario by identifying, and to the extent possible, preventing and eliminating barriers experienced by persons with a disability. A standard for customer service (the “Standard”) has been established under the AODA to ensure that goods and services are, where at all possible, equally accessible to every Ontarian.

The Firm endeavours to ensure that the policy and related practices and procedures are consistent with the following four (4) core principles:

1. Dignity: Clients with a disability must be treated as valued clients who are as deserving of service as any other client.
2. Equality of Opportunity: Clients with a disability should be given opportunities equal to those given to other clients to obtain, use and benefit from the Firm’s goods and services.
3. Integration: Wherever possible, clients with a disability should benefit from the Firm’s goods and services in the same place and in the same or similar manner as any other client.  In circumstances where integration does not serve the needs of the client with a disability, the Firm’s goods and services will, to the extent possible, be provided in another way that takes into account the client’s individual needs.
4. Independence: Goods and services must be provided in a way that respects the independence of clients with a disability.  To this end, the Firm will always be willing to assist This policy applies to all team members, contractors and agents of the Firm, whether such team members, contractors or agents are engaged on a full-time, part-time, temporary, casual or reduced work arrangement.

Communication with Persons with Disabilities

The Firm strives to communicate with disabled clients in a manner that takes into account both the disability and the client’s preferred method of communication. The Firm can communicate with clients in writing, via telephone, email or meetings, either in person or via video conferencing. The Firm recognizes that not all clients will wish to communicate in the same manner.

Assistive Devices

Clients with a disability are permitted, where possible, to use their own assistive device when on the Firm’s premises for the purposes of obtaining, using or benefiting from the Firm’s goods and services.

If there is a physical, technological or other type of barrier that prevents the use of an assistive device on the Firm’s premises the Firm will first endeavour to remove that barrier.  If the Firm is not able to remove the barrier, the Firm will ask the client how he/she can be accommodated and what alternative methods of service would be more accessible to him/her.  The Firm will make best efforts to provide an alternative means of assistance to the client with a disability.

The Firm’s staff will receive training on various assistive devices that may be used by clients with a disability while accessing the Firm’s goods and services.

Service Animals