ACCESSIBILITY FOR ONTARIANS WITH DISABILITIES POLICY

POLICY:

It is the policy of Harper's Garden Centre to ensure that adequate measures are taken to provide goods and services to people with disabilities in a manner consistent with the principles of dignity, independence, integration, and equal opportunity.

PURPOSE:

The purpose of this policy is to demonstrate Harper's Garden Centre’s ongoing commitment to accessibility by developing, implementing, and maintaining accessibility standards in order to achieve accessibility for persons with disabilities with respect to goods, services, facilities, employment, buildings, structures and premises.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

Harper's Garden Centre is committed to providing a respectful, welcoming, accessible, and inclusive environment for all persons with disabilities. We are dedicated to identifying, removing, and preventing barriers that might interfere with the ability of people with disabilities to access and benefit from our services and employment opportunities.

All employees, contractors, and volunteers are expected to uphold the principles outlined in this policy and to foster an inclusive environment with and for persons with disabilities.

GENERAL DEFINITIONS:

Accessible Formats: Includes accessible electronic formats, Braille, text transcripts, large print, recorded audio, and other formats accessible to persons with disabilities. Assistive Device: A technical aid, communication device or other instrument that maintains or improves the functional abilities of people with disabilities. Barrier: Anything that prevents a person with a disability from fully participating in all aspects of society because of their disability. Communication Supports: Include but are not limited to sign language, plain language, and other communication supports that facilitate effective communication.

Disability: As defined in the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act, 2005 (AODA), this includes physical, mental, developmental, and learning disabilities, as well as injuries or disabilities for which benefits were claimed or received under the Workplace Safety and Insurance Act, 1997.

INTEGRATED ACCESSIBILITY STANDARDS REGULATION POLICY:

The Integrated Accessibility Standards Regulation (IASR) under the AODA provides standards for private sector organizations to increase accessibility for persons with disabilities in the areas of Information and Communications and Employment.

ACCESSIBILITY PLAN:

To achieve our goals, Harper's Garden Centre has developed a multi-year Accessibility Plan which documents our strategy and commitment to meet the applicable standards of the IASR. This plan will be reviewed and updated at least once every five years, with the next review scheduled for October 2030.

STATEMENT OF COMMITMENT:

Harper's Garden Centre 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, by preventing and removing barriers to accessibility and meeting accessibility requirements under the AODA.

TRAINING:

Harper's Garden Centre 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. Training is provided in a way that best suits the duties of each individual. Contractors and service providers must maintain records of the training provided to their staff and make them available upon request.

INFORMATION AND COMMUNICATION STANDARDS:

Feedback: Harper's Garden Centre ensures that its processes for receiving and responding to feedback are available to persons with disabilities, in accessible formats or with communication supports upon request. Members of the public are notified of the availability of these options. Accessible Websites and Web Content: Harper's Garden Centre confirms that its website and web content conform to the WCAG 2.0 Level AA standard, as required by the IASR.

EMPLOYMENT STANDARDS:

Notice to Successful Applicants: When presenting offers of employment, Harper's Garden Centre notifies successful applicants of its policies for accommodating employees with disabilities.

Informing Employees of Supports: Employees are informed of accessibility policies used to support employees with disabilities, including job accommodation procedures.

Accessible Formats and Communication Supports for Employees: Upon request, Harper's Garden Centre consults with employees to provide or arrange for accessible formats and communication supports for information needed to perform their jobs.

Workplace Emergency Response Information: Individualized emergency response information is provided to employees who require accommodation.

Individual Accommodation Plans: Harper's Garden Centre maintains a documented process for developing individual accommodation plans.

Return to Work Process: A documented return-to-work process is maintained for employees who have been absent due to disability.

Performance Management and Career Development: Harper's Garden Centre considers accessibility needs and individual accommodation plans when conducting performance reviews and providing career development.

Accessible Emergency Information: Harper's Garden Centre provides publicly available emergency information in accessible formats upon request.

Periodic status reviews are conducted to ensure consistency and reliability of the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Policy.