A. PURPOSE
In compliance with the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act, 2005, the purpose of this policy is to outline responsibilities of employees on behalf of edjuster in providing services and opportunities to people with disabilities.
B. SCOPE
This policy applies to all edjuster employees.
C. POLICY
C.1 Our commitment
edjuster strives to provide its services and opportunities in a way that respects the dignity and independence of people with disabilities. We are committed to giving people with disabilities the same opportunity to benefit from the same services and opportunities, in the same place and in a similar way as others.
C.2 Providing services and opportunities to people with disabilities
edjuster is committed to excellence in serving all, including people with disabilities.
This commitment is demonstrated in the areas of:
C.2.1 Communication
We communicate with people with disabilities in ways that take into account their disability. We will provide training to our employees on how to interact and communicate with people with disabilities.
C.2.2 Telephone services
We will provide training to employees to communicate over the telephone in clear and plain language and to speak clearly and slowly.
C.2.3 Assistive Services
We are committed to serving people with disabilities who use assistive devices to obtain, use or benefit from our services. We will ensure that our employees are trained and familiar with various assistive devices that may be used by people with disabilities while accessing our services or opportunities.
C.2.4 Billing
We are committed to providing accessible invoices to all of our customers. Invoices will be provided in alternative format upon request. We will answer any questions customers may have about the content of the invoice in person, by telephone or email.
C.2.5 Use of service animals
We are committed to welcoming people with disabilities who are accompanied by a service animal on the parts of our premises that are open to the public. We will also ensure that all employees are properly trained in how to interact with people with disabilities who are accompanied by a service animal. Every effort will be made to ensure that any offsite event venues are compliant with edjuster’s commitment regarding service animals.
C.2.6 Support persons
We are committed to welcoming people with disabilities who are accompanied by a support person. Any person with a disability who is accompanied by a support person will be allowed to enter edjuster’s premises or offsite event venues with his or her support person. At no time will a person with a disability who is accompanied by a support person be prevented from having access to his or her support person while on our premises or premises operated by edjuster for event purposes.
C.2.7 Employment
We are committed to welcoming people with disabilities with respect to recruitment, employment, training, career development and career progression.
C.2.8 Facilities
We are committed to ensuring that our premises and related services are welcoming and accessible to people with disabilities. As appropriate and if feasible, we are willing to provide necessary alterations to our facilities to accommodate people with disabilities.
Notice of temporary disruption
edjuster will provide notice in the event of a planned or unexpected disruption in the facilities or services usually used by people with disabilities. This notice will include information about the reason for the disruption, its anticipated duration and a description of alternative facilities or services, if available.
D. PROCEDURE
D.1 Training for staff
edjuster will provide disability related accessibility training to relevant employee groups. Training may be developed and delivered in various formats.
Training may include the following:
- The purposes of the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act, 2005 and the requirements of the integrated standards.
- How to interact and communicate with people with various types of disabilities.
- How to interact with people with disabilities who use an assistive device or require the assistance of a service animal or a support person.
- How to learn about the use of various assistive devices.
- What to do if a person with a disability is having difficulty in accessing edjuster’s services.
- edjuster’s policies, practices and procedures relating to the integrated standards.
Employees will also be trained on an ongoing basis when changes are made to these policies, practices and procedures.
D.2 Modifications to this or other policies
All edjuster policies and procedures will be developed or updated so as to respect and promote the dignity and independence of persons with disabilities.
D.3 Feedback process
edjuster’s ultimate goal is to meet and exceed expectations of people with disabilities. Comments regarding how well those expectations are being met are welcomed and appreciated. If you have questions, call us at 1-866-779-5950 ext. 0 or by email to accessibility@edjuster.com.
