To enforce this commitment consistently, LABORIE promises to:
- Ensure that our staff is trained and familiar with various assistive devices that may be used by customers with disabilities while accessing our goods or services.
- Communicate with people with disabilities in ways that take into account their disability.
- Welcome people with disabilities and their service animals. Service animals are allowed on the parts of our premises that are open to the public.
- Allow a person with a disability who is accompanied by a support person have that person accompany them on our premises.
- Notify customers promptly in the event of a planned or unexpected disruption to services or facilities for customers with disabilities. This clearly posted notice will include information about the reason for the disruption, its anticipated length of time, and a description of alternative facilities or services, if available. The notice will be placed at the facility entrance.
- Provide training to all LABORIE’s employees and communicate to employees whenever changes are made to this policy.
ACCESSIBILITY PLAN AND POLICIES
2014 – 2021 Accessibility Plan outlines the policies and actions that LABORIE MEDICAL TECHNOLOGIES ULC will put into place to improve opportunities for people with disabilities
PART I: INTRODUCTION AND STATEMENT OF COMMITMENT
In 2005, the Government of Ontario passed the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (“AODA”). It is the goal of the Ontario government to make the province accessible by 2025. The Integrated Accessibility Standards Regulations (“IASR”) under the AODA requires that LABORIE Medical Technologies (“LABORIE”) establishes, implements, maintains and documents a multi-year accessibility plan which outlines LABORIE’s strategy to prevent and remove barriers for persons with disabilities and to meet its requirements under the IASR.
Statement of Commitment:
LABORIE 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 people 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.
In accordance with the AODA, LABORIE will:
- Ensure that our staff is trained and familiar with various assistive devices that may be used by customers with disabilities while accessing our goods or services.
- Communicate with people with disabilities in ways that take into account their disability.
- Welcome people with disabilities and their service animals. Service animals are allowed on the parts of our premises that are open to the public.
- Allow a person with a disability who is accompanied by a support person have that person accompany them on our premises.
- Notify customers promptly in the event of a planned or unexpected disruption to services or facilities for customers with disabilities. The clearly posted notice will include information about the reason for the disruption, its anticipated length of time, and a description of alternative facilities or services, if available. The notice will be placed at the facility entrance.
- Provide training to all LABORIE’s employees and communicate to employees whenever changes are made to this policy.
- Post the plan on our website (www.laborie.ca);
- Provide this plan in an accessible format, upon request;
- Review and update the plan at least once every five years.
PART II: ACCESSIBILITY STANDARDS FOR CUSTOMER SERVICE
Commitment:
Since 2013, LABORIE has been in compliance with the Accessible Customer Service Regulation under the AODA, and will continue to comply with the regulation until all required obligations have been fulfilled.
LABORIE is committed to excellence in serving all customers, including persons with disabilities, and it will carry out its functions in a manner which delivers an accessible customer service experience.
LABORIE is committed to treating all people in a way that allows them to maintain their dignity and independence. We are committed to meeting the needs of people with disabilities in a timely manner, and will do so by preventing and removing barriers to accessibility and meeting accessibility requirements under AODA.
Action Taken:
- Ensured that all employees who, on behalf of LABORIE, deal with the public, and all those involved in the development and approval of customer service policies, practices and procedures, are trained to communicate and provide the best possible customer service to all customers, including persons with disabilities.
- Ensured that staff is trained and familiar with various assistive devices that may be used by customers with disabilities who are accessing LABORIE for goods or services.
- Ensured completion of accessibility training is tracked and recorded.
- Ensured that customers accompanied by a guide dog or support person are accommodated.
- Welcome feedback from persons with disabilities through multiple communication channels.
PART III: INTEGRATED ACCESSIBILITY STANDARDS REGULATIONS (IASR)
Accessible Emergency Information
LABORIE is committed to providing its customers with publicly available emergency information in an accessible way upon request. We will also provide employees with disabilities individualized emergency response information when necessary.
The following measures have been implemented by LABORIE:
- All employees were asked to identify any disability and special requirements or accommodations needed so that we can respond with an appropriate individualized emergency plan.
- Upon request, HR and immediate manager will work with the individual who requires accommodation, to provide Individual Workplace Emergency Response Information as soon as possible.
- All LABORIE employees in Ontario are made aware of the availability of individual emergency evacuation plans during the onboarding process.
- Where required, LABORIE provides assistance to specific disabled employees, with the employee’s prior consent, to help them evacuate the workplace in case of an emergency. These plans for providing assistance to be set out in individualized emergency plans for said employees.
- On an ongoing and regular basis, and as per the applicable terms of the IASR, LABORIE will review and assess general workplace emergency response procedures and individualized emergency plans to ensure accessibility issues are addressed.
Training
LABORIE provides training to employees, volunteers and other staff members on Ontario’s accessibility laws and on the Human Rights Code as it relates to people with disabilities.
LABORIE has taken the following steps with regard to accessibility laws and the required training:
- All employees, contract employees and volunteers have completed training;
- Managers, senior leaders, directors have completed training
- All new hires, as of January 1, 2015, will be trained through online training on accessibility laws
- Records maintained of training provided, including dates as well as number of employees trained
Information and Communications
LABORIE is committed to meeting the communication needs of people with disabilities. LABORIE will incorporate new accessibility requirements under the Information and Communication Standard to ensure that its information and communication systems and platforms are accessible and are provided in accessible formats that meet the needs of persons with disabilities. LABORIE will consult with people with disabilities to determine their information and communication needs.
LABORIE took the following steps to make our website and its content conform to WCAG 2.0, Level A:
- Committing adequate resources to ensure that the Laborie.ca website, its content and all applications are level A compliant.
- Ensuring that we stay on top of changes to industry standards when it comes to maintenance of website compliance and implement changes when feasible and necessary.
I. Feedback:
LABORIE takes the following steps to ensure existing feedback processes are accessible to people with disabilities upon request:
- Ensure that all of our customers are aware the various platforms by which LABORIE accepts feedback such as:
- In person at our office
- By mail, addressed to:
Tony Viscomi
LABORIE Canada Inc.
6415 Northwest Drive, Unit 10
Mississauga, ON L4V 1X1
Tel: 905.612.1170
Fax: 905.612.9731
www.laborie.com
Email: tviscomi@laborie.com
- Ensure that our feedback process is aligned with IASR obligations.
- Ensure that our Laborie.ca website contains publicly available content that outlines our commitment to AODA and how to best submit feedback.
- Ensure that our feedback process is made available upon request in a manner that accommodates the customer’s specific disability.
LABORIE will take the following steps to make sure all publicly available information is made accessible upon request by January 1, 2021:
- Committing adequate resources to ensure that the Laborie.ca website, its content and all applications are level AA compliant.
Employment
Timeline: January 1, 2016
Commitment:
LABORIE is committed to fair and accessible employment practices across all facets of employment. This includes providing accessibility across all stages of the recruitment cycle, ensuring that barriers in accommodation and return to work processes are eliminated and corporate policies surrounding accommodation and return to work are followed, where applicable. LABORIE is also committed to taking into consideration, the accessibility needs and any accommodation plans of its employees for the purposes of performance management, career development and advancement, and redeployment.
I.Recruitment:
LABORIE will take the following steps to notify the public and staff that, when requested, LABORIE will accommodate people with disabilities during the recruitment and assessment process and when people are hired:
- Incorporate language on postings and LABORIE career website to make applicants (internal/external) aware that AODA accommodation is available.
- Ensure that the recruiter or hiring manager consult with the candidate prior to a formal interview in order to determine any accommodation requirements. When scheduling interviews, all applicants will be asked if any accessibility accommodations are needed to attend and participate in the recruitment/interview process. LABORIE will make all reasonable efforts to accommodate any requests that are made.
- When offering a job to a successful applicant, they will be informed about LABORIE policies on accommodating employees with disabilities. This could be verbally, in person, by email, or in an offer letter.
II. Individualized Accommodation/Return to Work Plans
LABORIE is taking the following steps to develop and implement a process for developing individual accommodation plans and return-to-work policies for employees that have been absent due to a disability:
- Create an Attendance policy which outlines employee and company obligations as it pertains to absences (due to illness/disability or otherwise) from the workplace;
- Ensure appropriate measures are in place to protect the privacy of the employee’s personal information.
- Inform our staff and make them aware of our processes and procedures for ability management and the fact that we offer modified duties to individuals who become ill and/or disabled, temporarily or otherwise.
- We will update and document return to work process based on all compliance requirements.
III. Performance Management, Career Development and Redeployment
In accordance with the IASR, LABORIE will:
- Review, assess and, as necessary, modify existing policies, procedures and practices to ensure compliance with the IASR.
- Take into account the accessibility needs of employees with disabilities and, as applicable, their individualized accommodation plans, when assessing performance, managing career development and advancement or when redeployment is required.
- Consider the accessibility needs to employees with disabilities when providing career development and advancement opportunities to its employees with disabilities.
- Ensure all future developed training & materials are developed with accessibility features in mind.
For more information
For more information on this accessibility plan, please contact Human Resources which can be reached at HR@laborie.com.
Accessible formats of this document are available free upon request.
To enforce this commitment consistently, LABORIE promises to:
- Ensure that our staff is trained and familiar with various assistive devices that may be used by customers with disabilities while accessing our goods or services.
- Communicate with people with disabilities in ways that take into account their disability.
- Welcome people with disabilities and their service animals. Service animals are allowed on the parts of our premises that are open to the public.
- Allow a person with a disability who is accompanied by a support person have that person accompany them on our premises.
- Notify customers promptly in the event of a planned or unexpected disruption to services or facilities for customers with disabilities. This clearly posted notice will include information about the reason for the disruption, its anticipated length of time, and a description of alternative facilities or services, if available. The notice will be placed at the facility entrance.
- Provide training to all LABORIE’s employees and communicate to employees whenever changes are made to this policy.
ACCESSIBILITY PLAN AND POLICIES
2014 – 2021 Accessibility Plan outlines the policies and actions that LABORIE MEDICAL TECHNOLOGIES ULC will put into place to improve opportunities for people with disabilities
PART I: INTRODUCTION AND STATEMENT OF COMMITMENT
In 2005, the Government of Ontario passed the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (“AODA”). It is the goal of the Ontario government to make the province accessible by 2025. The Integrated Accessibility Standards Regulations (“IASR”) under the AODA requires that LABORIE Medical Technologies (“LABORIE”) establishes, implements, maintains and documents a multi-year accessibility plan which outlines LABORIE’s strategy to prevent and remove barriers for persons with disabilities and to meet its requirements under the IASR.
Statement of Commitment:
LABORIE 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 people 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.
In accordance with the AODA, LABORIE will:
- Ensure that our staff is trained and familiar with various assistive devices that may be used by customers with disabilities while accessing our goods or services.
- Communicate with people with disabilities in ways that take into account their disability.
- Welcome people with disabilities and their service animals. Service animals are allowed on the parts of our premises that are open to the public.
- Allow a person with a disability who is accompanied by a support person have that person accompany them on our premises.
- Notify customers promptly in the event of a planned or unexpected disruption to services or facilities for customers with disabilities. The clearly posted notice will include information about the reason for the disruption, its anticipated length of time, and a description of alternative facilities or services, if available. The notice will be placed at the facility entrance.
- Provide training to all LABORIE’s employees and communicate to employees whenever changes are made to this policy.
- Post the plan on our website (www.laborie.ca);
- Provide this plan in an accessible format, upon request;
- Review and update the plan at least once every five years.
PART II: ACCESSIBILITY STANDARDS FOR CUSTOMER SERVICE
Commitment:
Since 2013, LABORIE has been in compliance with the Accessible Customer Service Regulation under the AODA, and will continue to comply with the regulation until all required obligations have been fulfilled.
LABORIE is committed to excellence in serving all customers, including persons with disabilities, and it will carry out its functions in a manner which delivers an accessible customer service experience.
LABORIE is committed to treating all people in a way that allows them to maintain their dignity and independence. We are committed to meeting the needs of people with disabilities in a timely manner, and will do so by preventing and removing barriers to accessibility and meeting accessibility requirements under AODA.
Action Taken:
- Ensured that all employees who, on behalf of LABORIE, deal with the public, and all those involved in the development and approval of customer service policies, practices and procedures, are trained to communicate and provide the best possible customer service to all customers, including persons with disabilities.
- Ensured that staff is trained and familiar with various assistive devices that may be used by customers with disabilities who are accessing LABORIE for goods or services.
- Ensured completion of accessibility training is tracked and recorded.
- Ensured that customers accompanied by a guide dog or support person are accommodated.
- Welcome feedback from persons with disabilities through multiple communication channels.
PART III: INTEGRATED ACCESSIBILITY STANDARDS REGULATIONS (IASR)
Accessible Emergency Information
LABORIE is committed to providing its customers with publicly available emergency information in an accessible way upon request. We will also provide employees with disabilities individualized emergency response information when necessary.
The following measures have been implemented by LABORIE:
- All employees were asked to identify any disability and special requirements or accommodations needed so that we can respond with an appropriate individualized emergency plan.
- Upon request, HR and immediate manager will work with the individual who requires accommodation, to provide Individual Workplace Emergency Response Information as soon as possible.
- All LABORIE employees in Ontario are made aware of the availability of individual emergency evacuation plans during the onboarding process.
- Where required, LABORIE provides assistance to specific disabled employees, with the employee’s prior consent, to help them evacuate the workplace in case of an emergency. These plans for providing assistance to be set out in individualized emergency plans for said employees.
- On an ongoing and regular basis, and as per the applicable terms of the IASR, LABORIE will review and assess general workplace emergency response procedures and individualized emergency plans to ensure accessibility issues are addressed.
Training
LABORIE provides training to employees, volunteers and other staff members on Ontario’s accessibility laws and on the Human Rights Code as it relates to people with disabilities.
LABORIE has taken the following steps with regard to accessibility laws and the required training:
- All employees, contract employees and volunteers have completed training;
- Managers, senior leaders, directors have completed training
- All new hires, as of January 1, 2015, will be trained through online training on accessibility laws
- Records maintained of training provided, including dates as well as number of employees trained
Information and Communications
LABORIE is committed to meeting the communication needs of people with disabilities. LABORIE will incorporate new accessibility requirements under the Information and Communication Standard to ensure that its information and communication systems and platforms are accessible and are provided in accessible formats that meet the needs of persons with disabilities. LABORIE will consult with people with disabilities to determine their information and communication needs.
LABORIE took the following steps to make our website and its content conform to WCAG 2.0, Level A:
- Committing adequate resources to ensure that the Laborie.ca website, its content and all applications are level A compliant.
- Ensuring that we stay on top of changes to industry standards when it comes to maintenance of website compliance and implement changes when feasible and necessary.
I. Feedback:
LABORIE takes the following steps to ensure existing feedback processes are accessible to people with disabilities upon request:
- Ensure that all of our customers are aware the various platforms by which LABORIE accepts feedback such as:
- In person at our office
- By mail, addressed to:
Tony Viscomi
LABORIE Canada Inc.
6415 Northwest Drive, Unit 10
Mississauga, ON L4V 1X1
Tel: 905.612.1170
Fax: 905.612.9731
www.laborie.com
Email: tviscomi@laborie.com
- Ensure that our feedback process is aligned with IASR obligations.
- Ensure that our Laborie.ca website contains publicly available content that outlines our commitment to AODA and how to best submit feedback.
- Ensure that our feedback process is made available upon request in a manner that accommodates the customer’s specific disability.
LABORIE will take the following steps to make sure all publicly available information is made accessible upon request by January 1, 2021:
- Committing adequate resources to ensure that the Laborie.ca website, its content and all applications are level AA compliant.
Employment
Timeline: January 1, 2016
Commitment:
LABORIE is committed to fair and accessible employment practices across all facets of employment. This includes providing accessibility across all stages of the recruitment cycle, ensuring that barriers in accommodation and return to work processes are eliminated and corporate policies surrounding accommodation and return to work are followed, where applicable. LABORIE is also committed to taking into consideration, the accessibility needs and any accommodation plans of its employees for the purposes of performance management, career development and advancement, and redeployment.
I.Recruitment:
LABORIE will take the following steps to notify the public and staff that, when requested, LABORIE will accommodate people with disabilities during the recruitment and assessment process and when people are hired:
- Incorporate language on postings and LABORIE career website to make applicants (internal/external) aware that AODA accommodation is available.
- Ensure that the recruiter or hiring manager consult with the candidate prior to a formal interview in order to determine any accommodation requirements. When scheduling interviews, all applicants will be asked if any accessibility accommodations are needed to attend and participate in the recruitment/interview process. LABORIE will make all reasonable efforts to accommodate any requests that are made.
- When offering a job to a successful applicant, they will be informed about LABORIE policies on accommodating employees with disabilities. This could be verbally, in person, by email, or in an offer letter.
II. Individualized Accommodation/Return to Work Plans
LABORIE is taking the following steps to develop and implement a process for developing individual accommodation plans and return-to-work policies for employees that have been absent due to a disability:
- Create an Attendance policy which outlines employee and company obligations as it pertains to absences (due to illness/disability or otherwise) from the workplace;
- Ensure appropriate measures are in place to protect the privacy of the employee’s personal information.
- Inform our staff and make them aware of our processes and procedures for ability management and the fact that we offer modified duties to individuals who become ill and/or disabled, temporarily or otherwise.
- We will update and document return to work process based on all compliance requirements.
III. Performance Management, Career Development and Redeployment
In accordance with the IASR, LABORIE will:
- Review, assess and, as necessary, modify existing policies, procedures and practices to ensure compliance with the IASR.
- Take into account the accessibility needs of employees with disabilities and, as applicable, their individualized accommodation plans, when assessing performance, managing career development and advancement or when redeployment is required.
- Consider the accessibility needs to employees with disabilities when providing career development and advancement opportunities to its employees with disabilities.
- Ensure all future developed training & materials are developed with accessibility features in mind.
For more information
For more information on this accessibility plan, please contact Human Resources which can be reached at HR@laborie.com.
Accessible formats of this document are available free upon request.