This Accessibility Policy and Multi-Year Accessibility Plan governs employees, volunteers, and those who provide goods, services, or facilities on behalf of VegeCert and the method of provision of such goods and services.
Statement of Commitment
VegeCert is committed to ensuring equal access and participation for people with disabilities and to providing goods and services in a way that allows them to maintain their dignity and independence.
We are committed to meeting the accessibility 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 (the “Act”) and Ontario’s accessibility laws and complying with the Ontario Human Rights Code (the “Code”).
Please see attached Appendix for the definition of disability as defined under the Human Rights Code.
Training
VegeCert will provide training to all employees, volunteers, persons developing VegeCert policies, and those who provide goods, services, or facilities on behalf of VegeCert on both accessibility standards in the Act and the Code as it relates to people with disabilities. Training will occur on an ongoing basis and whenever changes are made to relevant accessible policies, practices and procedures.
Training of our employees and volunteers on accessibility will relate to their specific roles.
Training includes:
VegeCert will train every person as soon as practicable after being hired and provide training in respect of any changes to the policies.
Assistive Devices
People with disabilities may use their personal assistive devices when accessing VegeCert’s goods, services or facilities. In cases where the assistive device presents a significant and unavoidable health or safety concern or may not be permitted for other reasons, other measures will be used to ensure the person with a disability can access our premises.
Our staff and volunteers are trained to be accepting of and aware of various assistive devices which may be used, and will be accommodating in the set-up of these devices and the required interface with equipment at the VegeCert premises.
Communication and Accessibility
VegeCert is committed to meeting the communication needs of people with disabilities by taking into account their disability in any communication. We will work with people with disabilities to determine what method of communication works best for them.
VegeCert is taking steps to ensure that all publicly available information is made accessible upon request by posting a notice on our website.VegeCert COR is taking steps to ensure that all publicly available information is made accessible upon request by posting a notice on our website.
Service Animals
VegeCert welcomes people with disabilities and their service animals. Service animals are allowed on the parts of our premises that open to the public.
Support Persons
A person with a disability who is accompanied by a support person will be allowed to have that support person accompany them on our premises. In certain instances, VegeCert may, after consulting with the person with a disability to understand their needs, require a person with a disability to be accompanied by a support person for the health or safety of the person with a disability and others on the premises. This requirement will only be made if there is no other reasonable way to protect the health or safety of the person with a disability or others on the premises.
Notice of Temporary Disruption
VegeCert will promptly notify persons with disabilities in the event of a planned or unexpected disruption to services or facilities. The notice will be posted and include information about the reason for the disruption, its anticipated duration, and a description of alternative facilities or services, if available. The notice will be made publicly available by posting such notice in the reception area at the VegeCert office and at other locations in the building, if relevant, depending on the nature of the disruption.
Feedback Process
VegeCert welcomes feedback from members of the public on how we provide accessible customer service. Feedback may be provided in the following ways:
VegeCert will ensure our feedback process is accessible to people with disabilities by providing or arranging for accessible formats and communication supports, on request. Feedback, including complaints, will be directed to the Director of Operations. Customers can expect to hear back within seven (7) business days.
Employment
VegeCert is committed to fair and accessible employment practices. We will take the following steps to notify the public and staff that, when requested, we will accommodate people with disabilities during the recruitment and assessment processes and when people are hired:
We will consult with employees when arranging for the provision of suitable accommodation in a manner that takes into account the accessibility needs due to disability. We will consult with the person making the request in determining the suitability of an accessible format or communication supports specifically for:
Emergency Information
As needed, VegeCert will provide customized emergency information to help an employee with a disability during an emergency. With the employee’s consent, we will provide emergency information to a designated person who is providing assistance to that employee during an emergency. This may include providing emergency information to building management in accordance with their policies and procedures for assisting persons with disabilities during an emergency.
Review and Updates to the Accessibility Plan
VegeCert will review and make updates to its policies and accessibility plan every 3 years.
For More Information
For more information on this accessibility plan, or to request accessible formats and communication support of this document for persons with disabilities, please contact the Director of Operations by phone at 1-416-635-9550 or by email at info@vegecert.com.
