AODA Policy
Accessibility Policy
Statement Of Organizational Commitment
Figure3 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 employees 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 employees, 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 employees as needed. Where needed, we will also provide customized emergency information to help an employee with a disability during an emergency. Our performance management and career development processes will take into account the accessibility needs of all employees.
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.
Accessibility Plan
Figure3 strives to meet the needs of its employees and clients with disabilities and is working hard to remove and prevent barriers to accessibility. Our organization is committed to fulfilling our requirements under the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA). This accessibility plan outlines the steps Figure3 is taking to meet those requirements and to improve opportunities for people with disabilities.Our plan shows how Figure3 will play its role in making Ontario an accessible province for all Ontarians.
Section One: Past Achievements To Remove And Prevent Barriers
Customer Service
We at Figure3 remain committed to providing a barrier-free environment for our clients and promote its underlying core principles of dignity, equal opportunity to benefit from our services, integration, and independence. We trained our staff on the Customer Service Standard and make information available to help our staff provide services to people with disabilities.
Information And Communications
We make efforts to communicate and share information in a clear manner and, if requested, in a manner that takes into account the disability. We are willing to comply with requests for information in alternate formats from any person with a disability. We monitor for needs for assistance for people with disabilities in the event of an emergency in our workplace. Our website was designed with accessibility in mind and we remain vigilant to ensure conformance with the accessibility standards for websites.
Employment
We include a statement welcoming and encouraging applicants with disabilities to apply and offer accommodations upon request. We include a statement in our offers of employment indicating that we are committed to providing reasonable accommodation for employees with disabilities as requested.
Training
We have trained our staff on the requirements under the AODA.
Section Two: Strategies And Actions
Customer Service
Figure3 will maintain it’s commitment to providing accessible customer service to people with disabilities. This means we will provide our services to people with disabilities with the same high quality and timeliness as others. We will provide training to new staff in the Customer Service Standard in a timely manner.
Information And Communications
Figure3 remains committed to making our information and communications accessible to people with disabilities, in a manner that takes into account their disability as requested. Public safety and emergency information will be available in alternate formats as needed. We will monitor our website for compliance with accessibility standards and make adjustments as needed to ensure compliance.
Employment
Figure3 will remain committed to fair and accessible employment practices. We include our statement to welcome and encourage applicants with disabilities and indicate that we will provide accommodations during the recruitment and hiring process. In offers of employment, we will continue to offer reasonable accommodations to employees with disabilities upon request. We will ensure accessible performance management and career development processes whenever required.
Training
Figure3 is committed to providing training in the requirements of Ontario’s accessibility laws and the Ontario Human Rights Code as it applies to people with disabilities. As new employees join our organization, we will provide such training in a timely manner.
Accessibility Standards for Client Service Policy
The goal of the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act, 2005 (the “Act”) 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 client service (“the Standard”) has been established under the Act to ensure goods and services are, where at all possible, equally accessible to every member of the public. We at Figure3 are committed to providing a barrier-free environment for our clients. The objective of this policy (the “Policy”) is to ensure we meet the requirements of the Standard and promote its underlying core principles, described below.
Application
The Policy applies to all persons who, on behalf of Figure3, deal with members of the public or other third parties. This includes our employees, volunteers, agents and contractors.
Definitions
- Accessibility Report – The report required to be filed pursuant to section 14 of the Act
- Assistive Device – Any device used to assist a person in performing a particular task or tasks or to aid that person in activities of daily living
- Disability – Has the same definition as is provided under the Act and Human Rights Code, R.S.O. 1990, c. H.19
- Service Animal – An animal is a service animal for a person with a disability
> If it is readily apparent that the animal is used by the person for reasons relating to his/ her/ their disability; or
> If the person provides a letter from a physician or nurse confirming the person requires the animal for reasons relating to the disability. - Support Person – A person who accompanies a person with a disability to assist with communication, mobility, personal care or medical needs or with access to goods or services.
- “We”, “Our” and “Staff” means Figure3 and its employees, volunteers, agents, and contractors.
Core Principles of the Policy
We endeavor to ensure the Policy and related practices and procedures are consistent with the following four (4) core principles:
- Dignity – Persons with a disability must be treated as valued clients as deserving of service as any other client.
- Equality of Opportunity – Persons with a disability should be given an opportunity equal to that given to others to obtain, use and benefit from our goods and services.
- Integration – Wherever possible, persons with a disability should benefit from our 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 person with a disability, goods and services will, to the extent possible, be provided in another way that takes into account the person’s individual needs.
- Independence – Goods and services must be provided in a way that respects the independence of persons with a disability. To this end, we will always be willing to assist a person with a disability but will not do so without the expressed permission of the person.
Providing Goods and Services for Persons with Disabilities
Communication
Figure3 strives to communicate with persons with a disability in a manner that takes into account the disability. Upon request, we will provide documents in a format that meets their needs that takes into account the disability. We will answer any questions clients may have about the content of any Figure3 produced document in a manner that takes into account the disability.
Assistive Devices
Persons with a disability are permitted, where possible, to use their own Assistive Device when on our premises for the purposes of obtaining, using or benefiting from our services. If there is a physical, technological or other type of barrier that prevents the use of an Assistive Device on our premises we will first endeavour to remove that barrier. If we are not able to remove the barrier we will ask the person how he/she/ they can be accommodated and what alternative methods of service would be more accessible to him/her they. We will make best efforts to provide an alternative means of assistance to the person with a disability. Staff will receive training on various Assistive Devices that may be used by persons with a disability while accessing our goods and services.
Service Animals
Persons with a disability may enter premises owned and/or operated by Figure3 accompanied by a Service Animal, and keep the Service Animal with them, if the public has access to such premises and the Service Animal is not otherwise excluded by law. If a service animal must be excluded, we explain to our client why this is the case and explore alternative ways to meet the client’s needs. Staff will receive training on how to interact with persons with a disability accompanied by a Service Animal.
Support Persons
A person with a disability may enter premises owned and/or operated by Figure3 with a Support Person and have access to the Support Person while on the premises. Figure3 may require a person with a disability to be accompanied by a Support Person where it is necessary to protect the health or safety of the person with a disability or the health or safety of others on the premises. The nature of our business requires the Company to deal with sensitive business information. The Company will require the consent of our client to discuss their business dealings with a support person. Once this consent is received, no client with a disability who is accompanied by a support person will be prevented from having access to his/ her/ their support person while on our premises. Staff will receive training on how to interact with persons with a disability who are accompanied by a Support Person.
Notice of Temporary Disruptions
Figure3 will notify clients if there is a planned or unexpected disruption of a facility or service that will affect their access to our services. The notice will be posted at the entrance of the applicable premises and at reception in our office.
The notice will include the following information:
- That a facility or service is unavailable
- The anticipated duration of the disruption
- The reason for the disruption
- Alternative facilities or services, if available
Training and Records
Figure3 will provide training to employees, volunteers and others including any third parties who deal with the public on our behalf, as well as to those persons charged with developing this Policy and related procedures and practices in order to appropriately provide service to clients with a disability.
Content of Training
Figure3 will provide training to employees, volunteers and others including any third parties who deal with the public on our behalf, as well as to those persons charged with developing this Policy and related procedures and practices in order to appropriately provide service to clients with disability.
Training will include:
A review of the purpose of the Act and requirements of the Standard
A review of the Policy
- How to interact and communicate with persons with various types of disabilities
- How to interact with persons with a disability who use an Assistive Device or require the assistance of a Service Animal or Support Person
- How to use equipment or devices made available on our premises to assist persons with a disability to obtain, use or benefit from our goods and services
- What to do if a person with a disability is having difficulty accessing our premises and/or services
Timing of Training
Training will be provided to all persons to whom this Policy applies as soon as practicable after he/ she/ they is assigned the applicable duties. Staff will also be trained on an ongoing basis when changes are made to this policy and any related practices and procedures.
Documenting Training
Records of the training provided, including the training protocol, the dates on which the training is provided and the number of individuals to whom the training is provided shall be maintained in accordance with the requirements of the Act.
Feedback Procedures
Receiving Feedback
Figure3 welcomes and appreciates feedback regarding this Policy and its implementation. Feedback can be provided directly to the Principal in charge of Administration in the following ways:
- In person at 200 University Avenue, Suite 200, Toronto, Ontario
- By telephone at (416) 363-6993
- In writing to Darryl Balaski, Suzanne Wilkinson, Dominic De Freitas, and Eric Yorath, Principals, 200 University Ave. Suite 200, Toronto, Ontario M5H 3C6
- Electronically via email to d.balaski@figure3.com, s.wilkinson@figure3.com, d.defreitas@figure3.com, and e.yorath@figure3.com
Responding to Feedback
Feedback will be recorded and forwarded to the Principals for review. The Principals will assign responsibility for resolving any complaint. Clients can expect a response acknowledging their concerns within 15 business days of receipt of any complaint.
Documentation to be Made Available
This Policy, and related practices and protocols, shall be made available to any member of the public upon request. This Policy shall be posted on Figure3 website and at conspicuous places at each premises to which this Policy applies.
Format of Documents
Figure3 will provide documents, or the information contained in documents, required to be provided under the Standard, to a person with a disability in a format that takes the person’s disability into account.
Modifications to This or Other Policies
Any policy of Figure3 that does not respect and promote the dignity and independence of people with disabilities will be modified or removed.
For More Information
For more information on this accessibility plan, please contact Darryl Balaski at d.balaski@figure3.com, or
(416) 363.6993
Standard and accessible formats of this document are free on request by contacting post@figure3.com