Accessibility Policy and Program (Canada)

Policy Statement
Alimentiv endeavours to ensure that its policies, practices, and procedures for the provision of programs, goods and services are consistent with the principles outlined in the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act, 2005 (AODA), specifically:

• Reflects the principles of dignity and independence of persons with disabilities;
• Provisions of services to persons with disabilities and others will be integrated unless an alternative measure is necessary, whether temporary or on a permanent basis, to enable persons with disabilities to obtain, use or benefit from our programs, goods, and services; and
• Persons with disabilities will be given an opportunity equal to that given to others to obtain, use or benefit from our programs, goods, and services.

Definitions
Accommodate: To modify the delivery of services, programs, and goods to make them accessible to persons with disabilities.

Disability: Defined under the Ontario Human Rights Act and the AODA whether present, past, or perceived, as:

• Any degree of physical disability, infirmity, malformation, or disfigurement that is caused by bodily injury, birth defect or illness and includes diabetes, epilepsy, brain injury, paralysis, amputation, lack of physical coordination, blindness or visual impediment, deafness or hearing impediment, muteness or speech impediment, or physical reliance on an assistive device, service animals, alternate communications and/or support persons;
• A condition of mental impairment or a developmental disability;
• A learning disability, or a dysfunction in one or more of the processes involved in understanding or using symbols or the spoken language;
• An injury or disability (temporary or permanent) for which benefits were claimed or received under the insurance plan established under the Workers Safety and Insurance Act (1997) or its equivalent.

Assistive Devices: Include but are not limited to, wheelchairs, walkers, canes, crutches, scooters, Braille display boards, assistive listening devices, FM loop systems.

Use of Assistive Devices
Alimentiv will permit individuals to use their assistive devices to obtain, use or benefit from its program, goods, and services.

The organization offers assistive measures such as mail, telephone and electronic mail service and documents in large print to enable persons with disabilities to access its services. If individuals are unable to access information and services using the standard methods provided, alternative service delivery methods may be made available to accommodate individual needs upon request.
 
Information and Communication
When communicating with a person with a disability, Alimentiv will communicate in a manner that takes into account the person’s disability. Alimentiv is committed to using comparable communications strategies for both its customers and employees so they may access the information needed to obtain our services or to perform their jobs.  In addition, we will work with persons with disabilities to determine the method of communication that works best for them.

Alimentiv’s website currently meets the WCAG2.0 Level AA standards. Alimentiv will ensure that all future updates to the website continue to meet these standards.

Service Animals
Alimentiv recognizes that some individuals with disabilities may require the use of dogs or other service animals in order to access services. Persons with disabilities that are accompanied by a guide dog or other service animal will be permitted to enter the premises and to keep the animal with them, unless the animal is otherwise excluded by law from the premises or from a specific work area.  When we cannot easily identify that an animal is a service animal, our staff may ask for documentation from a regulated health professional that confirms the person needs the service animal for reasons relating to their disability.

Support Persons
In recognition that some individuals with disabilities rely on support persons for assistance while accessing services, a person with a disability who is accompanied by a support person will be allowed to have that person accompany them while on Alimentiv’s premises.

Given the nature of the services provided, support persons accompanying or assisting individuals with disabilities may be required to sign a non-disclosure and/or confidentiality agreement.

Supporting Employment
Alimentiv will inform new and existing employees of the organization’s commitment to providing job accommodations in a way that takes into account each employee’s accessibility needs. Should an employee make a request for accommodation, we will consult with the person in determining the suitability of an accessible format or communication supports specifically for:

1. Information that is needed in order to perform the employee’s job; and
2. Information that is generally available to employees in the workplace.

Recruitment and Selection
All job postings, both internal and external will include the following statement “Accommodations for job applicants with disabilities are available upon request”. During the interview phase of recruitment all applicants contacted to schedule an interview will be asked if they require any accommodation during the interview process. 

Ongoing Performance Management

When required, annual performance reviews and other performance related communications will be delivered in a way that best meets the employee’s needs, such as creating written communication in large text, reading the information aloud, converting documents to a plain text format or converting written documents to an audio format.

Individual Accommodation Plans
Employees with disabilities (both permanent and temporary) are asked to work with their direct supervisor and HR to develop an appropriate accommodation plan. If it is required, Alimentiv will seek out and accept information from external medical and paramedical practitioners specializing in workplace accommodation to assist with the plan. The plan will be reviewed annually by the employee, the employee’s supervisor, and Human Resources.

In accordance with Alimentiv’s Privacy Policy any personal information provided by the employee will be used only for the purpose it was requested. Alimentiv will not share the information with a third party or use the information for a different purpose without express written consent from the employee.

Emergency Response Plans

Alimentiv will work with persons with disabilities to develop an individual Emergency Response Plan that considers the employee’s unique needs, to ensure that the employee is able to safely evacuate the building or otherwise be aware of and respond to an emergency.

When required, Alimentiv will provide customized emergency information to an employee with a disability during an emergency. With the employee’s consent, we will provide workplace emergency information to a designated person who is helping that employee during an emergency.  

The individualized workplace emergency response plan will be reviewed:

1. When the employee moves to a different location in the organization;
2. When the employee’s overall accommodation needs or plans are reviewed

Training
Alimentiv will provide training to its staff about the provision of services to persons with disabilities. The training will include a review of this policy, the AODA, and the Ontario Human Rights code as it pertains to disability.

Employees will be provided with an overview of the AODA and the applicable standards . This training will include:

1. The purpose of the AODA and associated regulations;
2. Our policies related to accessibility;
3. How to interact and communicate with people with various types of disabilities;
4. How to interact with people with disabilities who use an assistive device or require the assistance of a service animal or a support person;
5. How to use the equipment or devices available on-site or otherwise that may help with providing goods, services or facilities to people with disabilities.

All staff, volunteers, and students, will be trained on the AODA and Ontario Human Rights Code at onboarding and when changes are made to policies, practices, and procedures. Alimentiv will keep a record of the training that will include the name of the participant(s)and the date the training was delivered.

Policy/Process Review
Alimentiv has committed to reviewing this policy and any accompanying processes on an annual basis. In the event there are changes to any AODA-related policies or processes HR will advise all employees of the relevant changes and undertake the completion of any related training for responsible employees.

Comments, Complaints and Copies of This Policy
Alimentiv welcomes feedback on how we provide accessible customer service and support our staff with disabilities. Customer and staff feedback will help us identify gaps and respond to concerns. Feedback may be provided in the following ways:

By Mail:

Alimentiv
100 Dundas Street, Suite 200 London ON N6A 5B6

By Phone:  226-270-7868

By Human Resources Email: peopleops@alimentiv.com

Comments and feedback will be received and addressed by Alimentiv within ten (10) business days.

Alimentiv recognizes that persons with disabilities may use methods other than standard print to access information. If requested Alimentiv will provide a copy of this policy and/or the information related to this policy to a person with a disability in a format that takes into account the person’s disability or as agreed upon by the person with a disability.

This document is publicly available on Alimentiv’s company’s website.  Accessible formats are available upon request.