The following policy has been established by Larrek Investigations to govern the provision of services with Ontario Regulation 191/11, “Integrated Accessibility Standards” (“Regulation”) under the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act, 2005.
These standards are developed to break down barriers and increase accessibility for persons with disabilities in the areas of information and communications and employment.
Larrek Investigations is governed by this policy as well as the Accessibility Standards for Customer Service Policy and the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act, 2005 in meeting the accessibility needs of persons with disabilities.
Commitment
Larrek Investigations 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 persons 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.
This policy will be implemented in accordance with the time frames established by the Regulation.
Accessibility Plan
Larrek Investigations will develop, maintain and document an Accessibility Plan outlining the company’s strategy to prevent and remove barriers from its workplace and to improve opportunities for persons with disabilities.
The Accessibility Plan will be reviewed and updated at least once every five (5) years, and will be posted on the company’s website. Upon request, Larrek Investigations will provide a copy of the Accessibility Plan in an accessible format. For example: reading written information aloud to the person directly, electronic formats (email, MS Word, HTML), large print documents, accessible audio formats, etc.
Training Employees
Larrek Investigations will ensure that training is provided on the requirements of the accessibility standards referred to in the Regulation and continue to provide training on the Human Rights Code as it pertains to persons with disabilities, to:
- all its employees and volunteers;
- all persons who participate in developing Larrek Investigations’ policies; and,
- all other persons who provide goods, services or facilities on behalf of the company
The training will be appropriate to the duties of the employees. Employees will be trained when changes are made to the accessibility policy. New employees will be trained within two (2) weeks of commencing employment at Larrek Investigations. Larrek Investigations will keep a record of the training it provides.
INFORMATION AND COMMUNICATIONS STANDARDS
Feedback
Larrek Investigations will continue to ensure that its process for receiving and responding to internal and external feedback is accessible to persons with disabilities by providing, or arranging for the provision of, accessible formats and communications supports, upon request.
Accessible Formats and Communication Supports
Upon request, Larrek Investigations will provide, or will arrange for the provision of accessible formats and communication supports for persons with disabilities in a timely manner that takes into account the person’s accessibility needs due to disability. Larrek Investigations will consult with the person making the request in determining the suitability of an accessible format or communication support.
Larrek Investigations will also notify the public about the availability of accessible formats and communication supports. Upon request, we will arrange for an alternative accessible communication format for receiving and responding to customer/employee feedback.
Accessible Websites and Web Content
Larrek Investigations will ensure that our Internet websites, including web content, conform to the World Wide Web Consortium Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) 2.0, initially at Level A and then increasing to Level AA in accordance with the legislated deadlines, except where this is impracticable.
EMPLOYMENT STANDARDS
Recruitment
Larrek Investigations will notify its employees and the public about the availability of accommodation for applicants with disabilities in its recruitment process.
Recruitment, Assessment or Selection Process
Larrek Investigations will notify job applicants, when they are individually selected to participate further in an assessment or selection process, that accommodations are available upon request in relation to the materials or processes to be used. If a selected applicant requests an accommodation, Larrek Investigations will consult with the applicant and provide, or arrange for the provision of, a suitable accommodation in a manner that takes into account the applicant’s accessibility needs due to disability.
Notice to Successful Applicants
When making offers of employment, Larrek Investigations will notify all successful applicants of its policies for accommodating employees with disabilities.
Informing Employees of Supports
Larrek Investigations will continue to inform its employees of its policies (and any updates to those policies) used to support employees with disabilities, including policies on the provision of job accommodations that take into account an employee’s accessibility needs due to disability. This information will be provided to new employees as soon as practicable after commencing employment.
Accessible Formats and Communication Supports for Employees
Upon the request of an employee with a disability, Larrek Investigations will consult with the employee to provide, or arrange for the provision of, accessible formats and communication supports for information that is needed to perform his/her job, and information that is generally available to other employees. In determining the suitability of an accessible format or communication support, Larrek Investigations will consult with the employee making the request.
Workplace Emergency Response Information
Larrek Investigations will provide individualized workplace emergency response information to employees who have a disability, if the disability is such that the individualized information is necessary, and if Larrek Investigations is aware of the need for accommodation due to the employee’s disability.
Larrek Investigations will provide this information as soon as practicable after becoming aware of the need for accommodation. Where the employee requires assistance, Larrek Investigations will, with the consent of the employee, provide the workplace emergency response information to the person designated by Larrek Investigations to provide assistance to the employee.
Larrek Investigations will review the individualized workplace emergency response information when the employee moves to a different location in the organization or when the employee’s overall accommodations needs or plans are reviewed.
Documented Individual Accommodation Plans
Larrek Investigations will maintain a written process for the development of documented individual accommodation plans for employees with disabilities. If requested, information regarding accessible formats and communications supports provided will also be included in individual accommodation plans.
In addition, the plans will include individualized workplace emergency response information (where required), and will identify any other accommodation that is to be provided.
Return to Work Process
Larrek Investigations maintains a documented “return to work” process for its employees who have been absent from work due to a disability and who require disability-related accommodations in order to return to work. The return to work process outlines the steps Larrek Investigations will take to facilitate the return to work and will include documented individual accommodation plans as part of the process.
This return to work process will not replace or override any other return to work process created by or under any other statute
Performance Management, Career Development and Advancement & Redeployment
Larrek Investigations will take into account the accessibility needs of employees with disabilities, as well as individual accommodation plans, when conducting performance management, providing career development and advancement to employees, or when redeploying employees.
Questions about this policy
This policy has been developed to break down barriers and increase accessibility for persons with disabilities in the areas of information and communications and employment. If anyone has a question about the policy, or if the purpose of the policy is not understood, please contact:
- Phone: 1-888-576-3010
- Contact: Carrie Domm
- Email: cdomm@larrek.com
- By mail: Larrek Investigations, 62 Regina Street N, Waterloo, Ontario, N2J 3A5
- Verbally to any Larrek Investigations Manager
Note that all the above requirements will be implemented in accordance with the legislated deadlines. Refer to Ontario Regulation 191-11 Integrated Accessibility Standards for more information.