Multi-Year Accessibility Plan
This multi-year accessibly plan is intended to meet the requirements of the Customer Service Standards included in the Integrated Accessibility Standards Regulations under the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act, 2005. It applies to the provision of goods and services to the public or other third parties, not to the goods themselves.
All goods and services provided by Innovative Group of Companies shall follow the principles of dignity, independence, integration and equal opportunity.
Innovative Automation Group of Companies is committed to fulfilling our requirements under the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act, 2005. This accessibility plan outlines the steps we are taking to meet those requirements and to improve opportunities for people with disabilities.
Our plan shows how we will play our role in making Ontario an accessible province for all Ontarians.
The plan is reviewed and updated at least once every 5 years.
We train every person as soon as practicable after being hired and provide training in respect of any changes to the policies. We maintain records of the training provided including the dates on which the training was provided and the number of individuals to whom it was provided.
Assistive Device
A technical aid, communication device or other instrument that is used to maintain or improve the functional abilities of people with disabilities. Personal assistive devices are typically devices that customers bring with them such as a wheelchair, walker or a personal oxygen tank that might assist in hearing, seeing, communicating, moving, breathing, remembering and/or reading.
Disability
The term disability as defined by the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act, 2005, and the Ontario Human Rights Code, refers to:
- 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 impediment, 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 disability;
- A learning disability, or dysfunction in one or more of the processes involved in understanding or using symbols or spoken language;
- A mental disorder; or
- An injury or disability for which benefits were claimed or received under the insurance plan established under the Workplace Safety and Insurance Act, 1997.
Guide Dog
Is a highly-trained working dog that has been trained at one of the facilities listed in Ontario Regulation 58 under the Blind Persons’ Rights Act, to provide mobility, safety and increased independence for people who are blind.
Service Animal
An animal is a service animal for a person with a disability if:
- the animal can be readily identified as one that is being used by the person for reasons relating to the person’s disability, as a result of visual indicators such as the vest or harness worn by the animal; or
- the person provides documentation from one of the following regulated health professionals confirming that the person requires the animal for reasons relating to the disability:
- A member of the College of Audiologists and Speech-Language Pathologists of Ontario;
- A member of the College of Chiropractors of Ontario;
- A member of the College of Nurses of Ontario;
- A member of the College of Occupational Therapists of Ontario;
- A member of the College of Optometrists of Ontario;
- A member of the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Ontario;
- A member of the College of Physiotherapists of Ontario;
- A member of the College of Psychologists of Ontario; or
- A member of the College of Registered Psychotherapists and Registered Mental Health Therapists of Ontario.
Service Dog
As reflected in Health Protection and Promotion Act, Ontario Regulation 562 a dog other than a guide dog for the blind is a service dog if:
- It is readily apparent to an average person that the dog functions as a service dog for a person with a medical disability; or
- The person who requires the dog can provide on request a letter from a physician or nurse confirming that the person requires a service dog.
Support Person
As reflected in Ontario Regulation 429/07, a support person means, in relation to a person with a disability, another person who accompanies him or her in order to help with communication, mobility, personal care, medical needs or access to goods and services.
In accordance with the Customer Service Standards, this policy addresses the following:
A. The Provision of Goods and Services to Persons with Disabilities
Innovative Group of Companies will make every reasonable effort to ensure that its policies, practices and procedures are consistent with the principles of dignity, independence, integration and equal opportunity by:
- Ensuring that all customers receive the same value and quality;
- Allowing customers with disabilities to do things in their own ways, at their own pace when accessing goods and services as long as this does not present a safety risk;
- Using alternative methods when possible to ensure that customers with disabilities have access to the same services, in the same place and in a similar manner;
- Taking into account individual needs when providing goods and services; and
- Communicating in a manner that takes into account the customer’s disability.
Innovative Group of Companies strives to accommodate all employees who require modified duties for various reasons. An employee accommodation letter can be created by Human Resources once medical documentation is received on the required modification to his/her position.
B. The Use of Assistive Devices
Customer’s Own Assistive Device(s)
Persons with disabilities may use their own assistive devices as required when accessing goods or services provided by Innovative Group of Companies.
In cases where the assistive device presents a safety concern or where accessibility might be an issue, other reasonable measures will be used to ensure the access of goods and services. For example, open flames and oxygen tanks cannot be near one another. Therefore, the accommodation of a customer with an oxygen tank may involve ensuring the customer is in a location that would be considered safe for both the customer and business. Or, where elevators are not present and where an individual requires assistive devices for the purposes of mobility, service will be provided in a location that meets the needs of the customer.
C. Guide Dogs, Service Animals and Service Dogs
A customer with a disability that is accompanied by guide dog, service animal or service dog will be allowed access to premises that are open to the public unless otherwise excluded by law.
Recognizing a Guide Dog, Service Dog and/or Service Animal:
If it is not readily apparent that the animal is being used by the customer for reasons relating to his or her disability, Innovative Automation may request verification from the customer.
Care and Control of the Animal:
The customer who is accompanied by a guide dog, service dog and/or service animal is responsible for maintaining care and control of the animal at all times.
Allergies
If a health and safety concern presents itself for example in the form of a severe allergy to the animal, Innovative Automation will make all reasonable efforts to meet the needs of all individuals.
D. The Use of Support Persons
If a customer with a disability is accompanied by a support person, Innovative Group of Companies will ensure that both persons are allowed to enter the premises together and that the customer is not prevented from having access to the support person.
There may be times where seating and availability prevent the customer and support person from sitting beside each other. In these situations, Innovative Automation will make every reasonable attempt to resolve the issue.
In situations where confidential information might be discussed, consent will be obtained from the customer, prior to any conversation where confidential information might be discussed.
Admission Fees
Where Innovative Group of Companies requires a support person to accompany a person with a disability, and where the person with a disability has agreed to the accompaniment, Innovative Group of Companies will not charge the support persons any fees or fares.
E. Notice of Disruptions in Service
Service disruptions may occur due to reasons that may or may not be within the control or knowledge of Innovative Automation. In the event of any temporary disruptions to facilities or services that customers with disabilities rely on to access or use Innovative Automation’s goods or services, reasonable efforts will be made to provide advance notice. In some circumstances such as in the situation of unplanned temporary disruptions, advance notice may not be possible.
Notifications will include:
In the event that a notification needs to be posted the following information will be included unless it is not readily available or known:
- Goods or services that are disrupted or unavailable;
- Reason for the disruption;
- Anticipated duration; and
- A description of alternative services or options.
Notification Options
When disruptions occur, Innovative Group of Companies will provide notice by:
- posting notices in conspicuous places including at the point of disruption, at the main entrance and the nearest accessible entrance to the service disruption and/or on the Innovative Automation website;
- contacting customers with appointments;
- verbally notifying customers when they are making a reservation or appointment; or
- by any other method that may be reasonable under the circumstances.
F. Customer Feedback
Innovative Group of Companies shall provide customers with the opportunity to provide feedback on the service provided to customers with disabilities. Information about the feedback process will be readily available to all customers and notice of the process will be made available. Feedback forms along with alternate methods of providing feedback such as verbally (in person or by telephone) or written (hand written, delivered, website or email), will be available upon request.
Submitting Feedback
Customers can submit feedback to:
Innovative Automation – President
705-733-0555
625 Welham Road, Barrie, Ontario, L4N 0B7
info@innovativeautomation.com
Customers who provide formal feedback will receive acknowledgement of their feedback, along with any resulting actions based on concerns or complaints that were submitted.
G. Training
Training will be provided to:
- Every person who is an employee of, or a volunteer with, the provider.
- Every person who participates in developing the provider’s policies.
- Every other person who provides goods, services or facilities on behalf of the provider.
Training Provisions
Regardless of the format, training will cover the following:
- A review of the purpose of the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act, 2005.
- A review of the requirements of the Customer Service Standards.
- Instructions on how to interact and communicate with people with various types of disabilities.
- Instructions on how to interact with people with disabilities who:
- use assistive devices;
- require the assistance of a guide dog, service dog or other service animal; or
- require the use of a support person (including the handling of admission fees).
- Instructions on how to use equipment or devices that are available at our premises or that we provide that may help people with disabilities.
- Instructions on what to do if a person with a disability is having difficulty accessing your services.
- Innovative Automation’s policies, procedures and practices pertaining to providing accessible customer service to customers with disabilities.
Training Schedule
Innovative Group of Companies will provide training as soon as practicable. Training will be provided to new employees, volunteers, agents and/or contractors before they start working at Innovative. Revised training will be provided in the event of changes to legislation, procedures, policies, and/or practices.
Record of Training
Innovative Group of Companies will keep a record of training that includes the dates training was provided and the number of employees who attended the training.
H. Notice of Availability and Format of Documents
Innovative Group of Companies shall notify customers that the documents related to the Customer Service Standards are available upon request and in a format that takes into account the customer’s disability. Notification will be given by posting the information in a conspicuous place owned and operated by Innovative Group of Companies, the Innovative Group of Companies website and/or any other reasonable method.