Accessibility Policy

Farber is committed to the provision of goods and services to people with disabilities in a manner consistent with the principles of dignity, independence, integration, and equal opportunity.

Furthermore, such goods and services will be provided in accordance with the spirit and intent of all applicable legislation including the AODA, the Ontario Human Rights Code, the Occupational Health and Safety Act, and the Ontario Building Code Act and all associated regulations.

Definitions

Disability:

For this policy, the term “disability” shall be defined as set out in the AODA, as may amended from time to time.

Employee:

For this policy, the term “employee” refers to any person regarding whom Farber pays wages or a salary, has control over their assigned work and has a right to control the details of their work. This includes, but is not limited to:

1. Full-time employees
2. Part-time employees
3. Seasonal employees
4. Contract employees

Service Animal:

For the purposes of this policy, an animal is a service animal for a person with a disability:

1. If it is readily apparent that the animal is used by the person for reasons relating to his or her disability; or
2. If the person provides a letter from a physician or nurse confirming that the person requires the animal for reasons relating to the disability.

“Service animal” also includes a guide dog as defined under the Blind Persons’ Rights Act Section 1.

Support Person:

For this policy, a “support person” is a person who accompanies a person with a disability to help with communication, mobility, personal care or medical needs or with access to goods or services. The support person could be a paid personal support worker, a volunteer, a friend, or a family member. He or she does not necessarily need to have special training or qualifications.

Operating Principles

Accessible Communication:

Farber and its employees will communicate with people with disabilities in ways that consider each person’s particular disability.

Service Animals and Support Persons:

Unless otherwise prohibited by law, persons with disabilities will be permitted to be
accompanied by a service animal or a support person:

1. Where services are provided at premises owned or operated by Farber; and
2. Where the public or third parties normally have access to such premises.

Assistive Devices:

Farber is committed to serving people with disabilities who use assistive devices.

Disruption in Service:

Farber will post timely public notice of a current or anticipated disruption in any facilities or services we provide to enable people with disabilities to access our services. This notice will include information about the reason for the disruption, its anticipated duration, and a description of alternative facilities or services, if available.

Training:

Farber will provide training to:

1. All its employees, volunteers, agents, contractors, and others who could reasonably be expected to interact with the public or third parties on behalf of Farber; and
2. All those who are involved in the development, approval, monitoring or implementation of Farber customer service policies, practices, and procedures about the provision of goods and services to the public and/or third parties.

This training will be provided within the first two weeks of when an individual commences performing duties for Farber and additional training will be provided within six (6) weeks of any substantive revisions made to this policy and/or related procedures and practices.

Such training will include the following:

1. An overview of applicable laws related to the provision of services to individuals with disabilities, including a review of the purposes of the AODA and the requirements of its Customer Service Standard;
2. An overview of this policy and other related procedures and practices developed by Farber with respect to the provision of services to persons with disabilities;
3. How to interact and communicate with persons with various types of disability;
4. How to interact with persons with disabilities who use an assistive device or require the assistance of a guide dog or other service animal or the assistance of a support person;
5. How to use equipment or devices available on Farber’s premises or otherwise provided by Farber that may help with the provision of goods or services to a person with a disability; and
6. What to do if a person with a particular type of disability is having difficulty accessing the provider’s goods or services.

Feedback Process:

Farber is committed to improving service by listening and responding to feedback on the way Farber provides services to individuals with disabilities. Feedback can be directed to peopleandculture@farbergroup.com. A response will be provided to the person making the complaint within three (3) working days.

To ensure that existing processes for receiving and responding to feedback are accessible to persons with disabilities, Farber will arrange for the provision of accessible formats and communication supports, upon request.

Emergency Response:

1. Employee requiring assistance: Staff with a permanent or temporary disability that may affect their ability to evacuate the building safely during an emergency. Examples of conditions that may affect safe evacuations may include but are not limited to; inability to climb/descend stairs, inability to hear emergency alarms and/or see signs, emergency equipment and evacuation directions.
2. Buddy: The staff member assigned during the planning stage, who will assist the employee requiring assistance during an evacuation.
3. Procedure: All employees requiring assistance will be assigned a buddy. If there is an immediate threat on the floor that requires evacuation, the buddy assigned to the person requiring assistance will assist in the evacuation as planned. If the assigned buddy is not available during the time of the incident, the person requiring assistance will identify themselves to the evacuation team leader/designate or any staff member in the area so a buddy can be assigned and assist the employee.

Responsibilities:

Farber is responsible for reviewing this policy annually and recommending amendments to ensure ongoing compliance with regulated accessibility standards and legislated obligations. Farber will provide advice and direction on the implementation of this policy.

Supervisors and managers will ensure that they and their employees are familiar with this policy.

Farber will provide a copy of this policy to individuals requesting it in an accessible format when required.

Monitoring and Contraventions:

Supervisors and managers will monitor current practices to ensure compliance. Failure to comply with this policy may result in disciplinary action, up to and including dismissal.

Employment:

Farber is committed to being an employer of choice in Ontario by creating a workplace that prevents and removes barriers to accessibility.

Human Resources Contact:

Please e-mail peopleandculture@farbergroup.com if you have any questions.