Accessibility for Ontarians with Disability Policy
Intent
This policy has been established to ensure that Sarmazian Brothers Ltd’s workplace is accessible to staff and customers. In doing so, Sarmazian Brothers Ltd will comply with the requirements set out in the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act, 2005 and the Integrated Accessibility Standards Regulation (collectively, the “AODA”).
This policy applies to all Sarmazian Brothers Ltd staff, including all people providing goods, services and facilities on behalf of Sarmazian Brothers Ltd.
Definitions
“Assistive device” means any device used by people with disabilities to help with daily living. Assistive devices include a range of products, such as wheelchairs, walkers, canes, oxygen tanks, or electronic communication devices.
A “customer” is any person who uses the goods, services, and facilities of Sarmazian Brothers Ltd.
“Disability” is defined as in the Ontario Human Rights Code (the “Code”):
- 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 co-ordination, blindness or visual impediments, 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
- A learning disability, or a dysfunction in one or more of the processes involved in understanding or using symbols or spoken language.
- A mental
- An injury or disability for which benefits were claimed or received under the insurance plan established or using the Workplace Safety and Insurance Act, 1997.
“Service animal” is an animal being used because of a person’s disability and this is either readily apparent or supported by a letter from a medical practitioner.
“Support person” is someone, whether a paid professional, volunteer, family member or friend, who accompanies a person with a disability in order to help with communications, access to goods or services, personal care or medical needs.
Accessibility in the Provision of Goods and Services
Types of Barriers
Sarmazian Brothers Ltd understands that there are several kinds of barriers a person with a disability may face. These barriers generally include, but are not limited to:
- Attitudinal barriers that lead to the stereotyping of persons with
- Informational and communication barriers that arise when a person with a disability cannot easily receive or communicate information.
- Technological barriers which may occur when technology hinders someone’s ability to access goods or services.
- Systemic barriers that result in people with disabilities being treated differently than others or sometimes excluded altogether.
Providing an Accessible Environment
Sarmazian Brothers Ltd strives to facilitate a welcoming and accessible environment to mitigate any barriers that a person with a disability may face. In order to do so, and in compliance with the AODA, Sarmazian Brothers Ltd is committed to:
- Serving people who need assistive devices in a manner that enables them to obtain, use, or benefit from Sarmazian Brothers Ltd’s services;
- Communicating with people in their preferred manner that takes into account their disability;
- Allowing employees and customers to bring in their service animals, although where the individual accompanied by the animal is an employee, and the animal is not easily identifiable as a service animal, Sarmazian Brothers Ltd retains the right to ask the employee for documentation from a health professional;
- Welcoming non-employed persons with disabilities who are accompanied by a support person; and
- Providing the public with advanced notice in the event of any planned or unexpected disruption to Sarmazian Brothers Ltd’s facilities or services, which will include information about the reason for disruption, its anticipated duration, and a description of alternative facilities or services, if available, and be posted near Sarmazian Brothers Ltd’s public entrances.
Accessibility in Employment
Training
In order to create an accessible work environment, Sarmazian Brothers Ltd ensures that all its employees are trained in and understand its policies, practices, and procedures regarding the AODA and accessibility in general. This training is provided to new employees as soon as practicable following hiring. Employees will then be trained on an ongoing basis if needed, such as where changes are made to this policy.
Accessibility training will include:
- An overview of the AODA and its associated accessibility standards, as well as how the Code pertains to persons with disabilities.
- A review of this
- How to interact and communicate with persons with disabilities and with those who use assistive devices or require support animals or support persons.
- What to do if a person with a disability is having difficulties accessing Sarmazian Brothers Ltd’s goods, services, or facilities.
- Sarmazian Brothers Ltd’s practices and procedures relating to its customer service standards.
Sarmazian Brothers Ltd will maintain records of these trainings and will provide such records upon request.
Recruitment
During the recruitment process, Sarmazian Brothers Ltd will advise applicants of the availability of accommodation. If an applicant requests accommodation during the recruitment process, Sarmazian Brothers Ltd will consult with the applicant and arrange for the provision of suitable accommodation in a manner that takes into account the
applicant’s accessibility needs due to disability.
Upon the offer of employment, successful applicants shall be notified of Sarmazian Brothers Ltd’s policies for accommodating employees with disabilities.
Employment
As stated, Sarmazian Brothers Ltd will inform its employees about its disability-related policies, including policies that provide for job accommodations due to disability. If an employee with a disability requests job-related information or information that is generally available in the workplace to be provided in an accessible format, or with communication supports, Sarmazian Brothers Ltd will consult with the requesting employee on how best to meet their needs. Where necessary, Sarmazian Brothers Ltd will develop individualized accommodation and/or emergency response plans for employees with disabilities, as well as information to assess such employees during an
emergency or evacuation.
For further information on these processes, employees should consult the Employee Manual or contact their supervisor.
Feedback
Comments on Sarmazian Brothers Ltd’s accessibility services are welcomed and appreciated. Anyone wishing to provide such feedback can contact Sarmazian Brothers Ltd at the following:
Sarmazian Brothers Flooring,
575 Woodlawn Rd W
Guelph, Ontario CN N1K 1E9
Attn: Compliance
Accessibility of Documents
This policy and all other documents pertaining to Sarmazian Brothers Ltd’s policies, practices and procedures on the provision of goods, services and facilities to persons with disabilities can be obtained by contacting Sarmazian Brothers Ltd using the above contact information.
Upon request, Sarmazian Brothers Ltd will provide such documents in an accessible format and/or with communication support(s).
This policy will be reviewed on a regular basis to ensure ongoing compliance with the
AODA.
