INTEGRATED ACCESSIBILITY STANDARDS POLICY
The following policy has been established by Optimus SBR to govern the provision of services with Regulation 191/11, “Integrated Accessibility Standards” (“Regulation”) under the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act, 2005.
These standards are developed to break down barriers and increase accessibility for persons with disabilities in the areas of information and communications and employment.
Optimus SBR is governed by this policy as well as the Accessibility Standards for Customer Service Policy and the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act, 2005 in meeting the accessibility needs of persons with disabilities.
Commitment
Optimus SBR is committed to treating all people in a way that allows them to maintain their dignity and independence. We believe in integration and equal opportunity. We are committed to meeting the needs of persons with disabilities in a timely manner, and will do so by preventing and removing barriers to accessibility and meeting accessibility requirements under the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act.
This policy will be implemented in accordance with the time frames established by the Regulation.
Accessibility Plan
Optimus SBR will develop, maintain and document an Accessibility Plan outlining the Company’s strategy to prevent and remove barriers from its workplace and to improve opportunities for persons with disabilities.
The Accessibility Plan will be reviewed and updated at least once every five years, and will be posted on the Company’s website. Upon request, Optimus SBR will provide a copy of the Accessibility Plan in an accessible format.
Training Employees and Volunteers
Optimus SBR will ensure that training is provided on the requirements of the accessibility standards referred to in the Regulation and continue to provide training on the Human Rights Code as it pertains to persons with disabilities, to:
- all its Employees;
- all persons who participate in developing Optimus SBR’s policies; and,
- all other persons who provide goods, services or facilities on behalf of the Company
The training will be appropriate to the duties of the Employees and other persons. Employees will be trained when changes are made to the accessibility policy. New Employees will be trained during New Hire Onboarding & Orientation and Optimus SBR will keep a record of the training it provides.
INFORMATION AND COMMUNICATIONS STANDARDS
Feedback
Optimus SBR will continue to ensure that its process for receiving and responding to feedback is accessible to persons with disabilities by providing, or arranging for the provision of, accessible formats and communications supports, upon request.
Accessible Formats and Communication Supports
Upon request, Optimus SBR will provide, or will arrange for the provision of accessible formats and communication supports for persons with disabilities in a timely manner that takes into account the person’s accessibility needs due to disability. Optimus SBR will consult with the person making the request in determining the suitability of an accessible format or communication support. Optimus SBR will also notify the public about the availability of accessible formats and communication supports.
Accessible Websites and Web Content
Optimus SBR will ensure that our website, including web content, contains the necessary information on Accessibility and who to contact for more information on Accessibility.
EMPLOYMENT STANDARDS
Recruitment
Optimus SBR will notify its Employees and the public about the availability of accommodation for applicants with disabilities throughout our recruitment process.
Recruitment, Assessment or Selection Process
Optimus SBR will notify job applicants, when they are individually selected to participate further in an assessment or selection process that accommodations are available upon request in relation to the materials or processes to be used.
If a selected applicant requests an accommodation, Optimus SBR will consult with the applicant and provide, or arrange for the provision of, a suitable accommodation in a manner that takes into account the applicant’s accessibility needs due to disability.
Notice to Successful Applicants
When making offers of employment, Optimus SBR will notify the successful applicant of its policies for accommodating individuals with disabilities.
Informing Employees of Supports
Optimus SBR will continue to inform its Employees of its policies (and any updates to those policies) used to support Employees with disabilities, including policies on the provision of job accommodations that take into account an Employee’s accessibility needs due to disability. This information will be provided to new Employees as soon as practical after commencing employment.
Accessible Formats and Communication Supports for Employees
Upon the request of an Employee with a disability, Optimus SBR will consult with the Employee to provide, or arrange for the provision of, accessible formats and communication supports for information that is needed to perform his/her job, and information that is generally available to other Employees.
In determining the suitability of an accessible format or communication support, Optimus SBR will consult with the Employee making the request.
Workplace Emergency Response Information
Optimus SBR will provide individualized workplace emergency response information to Employees who have a disability, if the disability is such that the individualized information is necessary, and if Optimus SBR is aware of the need for accommodation due to the Employee’s disability. Optimus SBR will provide this information as soon as practical after becoming aware of the need for accommodation.
Where the Employee requires assistance, Optimus SBR will, with the consent of the Employee, provide the workplace emergency response information to the person designated by Optimus SBR to provide assistance to the Employee.
Optimus SBR will review the individualized workplace emergency response information when the Employee moves to a different location in the organization, when the Employee’s overall accommodation needs or plans are reviewed.
Documented Individual Accommodation Plans
Optimus SBR will maintain a written process for the development of documented individual accommodation plans for Employees with disabilities. If requested, information regarding accessible formats and communications supports provided will also be included in individual accommodation plans.
In addition, the plans will include individualized workplace emergency response information (where required), and will identify any other accommodation that is to be provided.
Return to Work Process
Optimus SBR maintains a documented return to work process for its Employees who have been absent from work due to a disability and who require disability-related accommodations in order to return to work. The return to work process outlines the steps Optimus SBR will take to facilitate the return to work and will include documented individual accommodation plans as part of the process.
This return to work process will not replace or override any other return to work process created by or under any other statute (ie., the Workplace Safety Insurance Act, 1997).
Performance Management, Career Development and Advancement & Redeployment
Optimus SBR will take into account the accessibility needs of Employees with disabilities, as well as individual accommodation plans, when conducting performance management, providing career development and advancement to Employees, or when redeploying Employees.
Questions about this policy
This policy has been developed to break down barriers and increase accessibility for persons with disabilities in the areas of information and communications and employment. If anyone has a question about the policy, or if the purpose of a policy is not understood, an explanation will be provided by:
Contact: Bonnie Ryan, Vice President, Human Resources
Address:
33 Yonge Street, Suite 900
Toronto, ON
M5E 1G4
Phone: 416-649-9131 Direct Line
E-mail: bonnie.ryan@optimussbr.com