ACCESSIBILITY POLICY
GOAL
All goods and services provided by Advanced Motion & Controls Ltd shall follow the principles of dignity, independence, integration, and equal opportunity. This policy applies to the provision of goods and services to our customers, not to the goods themselves.
SCOPE
- This policy applies to the provision of goods and services at premises owned and operated by Advanced Motion & Controls Ltd.
- This policy applies to employees, volunteers, agents and / or contractors who deal with the public or other parties who act on behalf of AM&C, including when the provision of goods and services occurs off the premises of AM&C such as in delivery services, vendors, and our drivers.
- The section of this policy that addresses the use of guide dogs, service animals and service dogs only applies to the provision of goods and services that take place at premises owned and operated by AM&C.
STATEMENT OF COMMITMENT
- Advanced Motion & Controls Ltd. 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 by meeting our accessibility requirements under Ontario’s accessibility laws.
DEFINITIONS
Assistive Device – is a technical aid, communication device or other instrument that is used to maintain or improve the functional abilities of people with disabilities. Personal assistive devices are typically devices that customers bring with them such as a wheelchair, walker, or a personal oxygen tank that might assist in hearing, seeing, communicating, moving, breathing, remembering, or reading.
Disability – the term disability as defined by the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act, 2005 and the Ontario Human Rights Code, refers to:
- any degree of physical disability, infirmity, malformation or disfigurement that is caused by bodily injury, birth defect or illness and, without limiting the generality of the foregoing, includes 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 on a guide dog or other animal or on a wheelchair or other remedial appliance or device;
- a condition of mental impairment or a developmental disability;
- a learning disability, or 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.
Guide Dog – is a trained working dog that has been trained at one of the facilities listed in Ontario Regulation 58 under the Blind Persons’ Rights Act, to provide mobility, safety and increased independence for people who are blind.
Service Animal – an animal is a service animal for a person with a disability if:
- it is apparent that the animal is used by the person related to his or her disability, or;
- if the person provides a letter from a physician or nurse confirming that the person requires the animal for reasons related to the disability.
Service Dog – a dog other than a guide dog for the blind is a service dog if:
- it is apparent that the dog functions as a service dog for a person with a medical disability, or;
- the person who requires the dog can provide on request a letter from a physician or nurse confirming that the person requires a service dog.
Support Person – in relation to a person with a disability a support person accompanies him or her to help with communication, mobility, personal care, medical needs or access to goods and services.
GENERAL PRINCIPLES
1. The Provision of Goods and Services to Persons with Disabilities AM&C will make every reasonable effort to ensure that its policies, practices, and procedures are consistent with the principles of dignity, independence, integration and equal opportunity by:
- ensuring that all customers receive the same value and quality;
- allowing customers with disabilities to do things in their own ways, at their own pace when accessing goods and services as long as this does not present a safety risk;
- using alternative methods when possible, to ensure that customers with disabilities have access to the same services, in the same place and in a similar manner;
- taking into account individual needs when providing goods and services, and;
- communicating in a manner that considers the customer’s disability.
2. Assistive Devices (Customers own)
Persons with disabilities may use their own assistive devices as required when accessing goods or services provided by AM&C. In cases where the assistive device presents a safety concern or where accessibility might be an issue, other reasonable measures will be used to ensure the access of goods and services. For example, a person with an oxygen tank may require that we ensure the customer is in a location that is safe for both the customer and the business.
3. Guide Dogs, Service Animals and Service Dogs
A customer with a disability that is accompanied by a guide dog or service dog will be allowed access to premises that are open to the public unless otherwise excluded by law. “No pet” policies do not apply to guide dogs, service animals and/or service dogs.
If a guide dog, service animal or service dog is excluded by law, AM&C will offer alternative methods to enable the person with a disability to access goods and services, when possible.
If it is not readily apparent that the animal is being used by the customer for reasons related to his or her disability AM&C may request verification from the customer. This verification may include:
- a letter from a physician or nurse confirming that the person require the animal for reasons related to the disability;
- a valid identification card signed by the Attorney General of Canada, or;
- a certificate of training from a recognized guide dog or service animal training school.
The customer that is accompanied by a guide dog, service dog and/or service animal is responsible for always maintaining care and control of the animal.
If a health and safety concern presents itself (for example, in the form of a severe allergy to the animal), AM&C will make all reasonable efforts to meet the needs of all individuals.
4. Support Persons
If a customer with a disability is accompanied by a support person, AM&C will ensure that both persons are allowed to enter the premises together and that the customer is not prevented from having access to the support person.
In situations where confidential information may be discussed, consent will be obtained from the customer prior to any conversation where confidential information may be discussed.
5. Notice of Disruptions in Service
Service disruptions may occur due to reasons that may or may not be within the control or knowledge of AM&C. In the event of any temporary disruptions to facilities or services that customers with disabilities rely on to access or use AM&C’s goods or services, reasonable efforts will be made to provide advance notice. In some circumstances advance notice may not be possible.
If a notification needs to be posted, the following information will be included unless it is not readily available or known:
- goods or services that are disrupted or unavailable
- reason for the disruption
- anticipated duration
- a description of alternative services or options
When disruptions occur AM&C will provide notice by:
- posting notices in conspicuous places including at the point of disruption, at the main entrance and the nearest accessible entrance to the service disruption, and/or on the AM&C website;
- contacting customers with appointment or meetings;
- verbally notifying customers when they make an appointment or while at an AM&C facility;
- by any other method that may be reasonable under the circumstances.
6. Feedback Process
AM&C will provide customers with the opportunity to provide feedback on the service provided to customers with disabilities. Information about the feedback process will be readily available to all customers on the AM&C website (www.advancedmotion.com).
Customers can provide feedback by:
- Email
- Telephone
- Writing
- Verbally providing feedback to any AM&C employee.
Contact information is available on the AM&C website (www.advancedmotion.com).
Customers who provide formal feedback will receive acknowledgement of their feedback along with any resulting actions based on the concern or complaint that was submitted.
7. Accessible formats
AM&C will make written information and other forms of communication accessible upon request. If a person with a disability requests accessible information or communication supports, we will work with them to figure out how to meet their needs in a timely manner with no charge. In some cases, we may be unable to accommodate such as:
- It is not possible technically to convert a document to an accessible format, we will explain why and provide a short summary of it instead.
- The information comes from another organization.
- AM&C does not control the information.
- The information is found on products or product labels.
8. Training
Training will be provided to all employees of AM&C who deal with the public or other third parties that act on behalf of AM&C.
Training will include:
- Instructions on how to interact with people with various types of disabilities;
- Instructions on how to interact with people with disabilities who:
- Use assistive devices
- Require the assistance of a guide dog, service dog, or other service animal;
- Require the use of a support person
- Instructions on what to do if a person with a disability is having difficulty accessing our services.
- Review and acknowledgement of this policy for current employees and as a part of our orientation schedule for new employees. This will form a part of the employee’s personnel file.
9. Employment – Emergencies
AM&C is committed to keeping all employees safe, especially in emergencies. Employees with disabilities will be provided individualized emergency response information. Including making our emergency information accessible and developing a plan to help an employee with a disability during an emergency.
For any employees we are aware of that might need help in an emergency due to a permanent or temporary disability we will:
- Provide individualized emergency response information to the employee.
- Get the employee’s consent, then share this information with the people designated to help them in an emergency.
- Review the employee’s emergency response information when:
- the employee changes work locations
- you review the employee’s overall accommodation needs.
- you review your organization’s general emergency response policies.
10. Employee Accommodation Plans
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- AM&C will develop and document an accommodation plan for employees with disabilities.
- Contact your supervisor / manager to participate in the development of your individual accommodation plan.
- The process and plan document is available within the Health & Safety / AODA shared file. Other formats are available upon request.
- The employer and employee with a disability will determine and implement appropriate accommodation measures. The final decision rests with the employer.
