Multi-Year Accessibility Plan

In accordance with the AODA (Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act)

Statement of Commitment

Acclaim Ability Management Inc. is committed to empowering ability in all individuals thereby fostering dignity and independence. Our business philosophy of emphasizing the potential and the realized abilities of people instead of focussing on disability permeates all our interactions, whether with the public, our business clients, or our staff. We believe that by preventing and removing barriers to accessibility we support equal opportunity for Ontarians and beyond.

Accessible Emergency Information

Acclaim is committed to providing clients with publicly available emergency information in an accessible way upon request. We will also provide employees with disabilities with individualized emergency response information when necessary.

At present, Contractors for Acclaim who meet with clients in Acclaim offices have been informed of the emergency evacuation procedure. Said procedures are also posted in the all assessment rooms in the company’s various locations.

Furthermore, Office Fire Marshalls are trained for evacuation measures including accounting for staff and clients who may have special needs and/or mobility challenges.

Employee Training

Acclaim provides training to employees, co-op students and other staff members on a variety of topics relevant to the rights of individuals in Canada. In this Multi-Year Accessibility Plan drafted and adopted pursuant to the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA), Acclaim commits to providing employees with training on the Human Rights Code as it relates to people with disabilities in light of the nature of Acclaim’s business.

This training will form part of our twice annual staff training schedule.

Further, it is acknowledged here that many of our employees deal directly members of the public who have disabilities whether permanent or temporary. These employees are professionally certified in fields related to disability and wellness. Specifically, Acclaim employs members of the governing bodies of Kinesiolgists, Occupational Therapists and Clinical Psychologists, and employs Certified Disability Management Professionals and related professionals. The training and certification of this staff can be applied to AODA knowledge requirements.

Information and Communication

Acclaim is committed to meeting the communication needs of people with disabilities. It is Acclaim’s policy that we regularly consult with people with disabilities at individualized communication points to determine their information and communication needs.

Acclaim’s current website was updated in the summer of 2017. Acclaimability.com can be navigated by keyboard on PCs and laptops, and on touchscreens on smartphones and tablets. Relevant news, information and videos include useful links for web readers. As of July 31, 2017, Acclaim’s public-facing website conforms to WCAG 2.0, Level AA standards.

Employment

Acclaim is committed to fair and accessible employment practices. We will take the following steps to notify the public and staff that, when requested, Acclaim accommodates people with disabilities during the recruitment and assessment processes and when people are hired.

• Potential candidates are advised in Job Postings that Acclaim will accommodate, if so requested.
• In the interview process, candidates are also advised that our space is accessible; we have office furniture and equipment that can accommodate staff of all abilities.
• Once hired, during the orientation, staff is advised that we can schedule and ergonomic assessment for their work station, if needed.
• We offer stand-up work stations, which are available to all staff, whether on a temporary or permanent basis.

Acclaim will take the following steps to develop and put in place a process for developing individual accommodation plans and return-to-work policies for employees that have been absent due to a disability:

• Acclaim is committed to providing a work environment conducive to enabling our employees to return to meaningful and suitable work regardless of their medical/functional status. We will take all reasonable measures to modify the work station or job duties in order to accommodate our employees.
• Authorized Acclaim staff will review objective medical information submitted by any employee seeking an accommodation. This documentation should be endorsed by a treating healthcare practitioner licensed and practicing in good standing in Canada.

• Functional restrictions and limitations as well as duration of the requested accommodation will be reviewed by Human Resources prior to any modifications being implemented.
• Acclaim will ensure proper follow up with the accommodated employee as well as their health care provider at specific time intervals to ensure that all strategies to assist in progressing the employee back to full regular function are utilized.

Acclaim takes the following steps to prevent and remove other accessibility barriers identified.

• Working From Home Program
• Sit/Stand Working Station
• Ergonomic Testing
• Workstation accommodations, including voice-to text software, web readers and other screen accommodation

Customer Feedback

To assist Acclaim in ensuring that the delivery of customer service to those with disabilities is provided in an effective and timely manner, you are invited to provide your feedback as follows:

In writing, in person, telephone or email, addressed to:
Accessibility Coordinator
Charnell Bernard, Human Resources Manager

901 King Street West
Suite 203, PO Box 17
Toronto, ON M5V 3H5
Phone: 416.486.9706 ext. 5287 / 877.867.6064
Fax: 416.486.9254
Email: hr@acclaimability.com

The Accessibility Coordinator will respond either in writing, in person, email or telephone acknowledging receipt of feedback and will set out the action to be taken in response to any inquiry.  If you require your response in a specified format, please advise and Acclaim will accommodate that request.