AODA

Accessible Customer Service Policy (AODA, 2005)

Our Commitment

Willliams & Partners strives at all times to ensure that our policies, practices and procedures are consistent with the principles outlined in the Accessibility Standards for Customer Service under the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act, 2005, by providing our goods and services in a manner that respects the dignity and independence of people with disabilities. We are committed to giving people with disabilities the same opportunity to access our goods and services and allowing them to benefit from the same services, in the same place and in a similar way as other clients/customers.

Willliams & Partners is committed to complying with both the Ontario Human Rights Code and the AODA.

Willliams & Partners is committed to excellence in serving all customers including people with disabilities.

Our accessible customer service policy is consistent with the principles of independence, dignity, integration and equality of opportunity for people with disabilities.

Training

We are committed to providing training to all our staff, students, volunteers, and third parties who deal with the public, on behalf of Willliams & Partners as well as those involved in the development of customer service policies, practices and procedures

Training will include:

purpose of the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act, 2005 and the requirements of the customer service standard
Williams & Partners policies related to the customer service standard
how to interact and communicate with people with various types of disabilities
how to interact with people with disabilities who use an assistive device or require the assistance of a service animal or a support person
what to do if a person with a disability is having difficulty in accessing Williams & Partners services or facilities

The staff accessibility training will be provided as soon as reasonably possible upon hire as well as on an on-going basis as changes are made to Willliams & Partners Accessibility policy.

Communication

We will communicate with people with disabilities in ways that take into account their disability. Staff who communicate with customers will be trained on how to interact and communicate with people with various types of disabilities. We will work with the person with a disability to determine what method of communication works for them.

Assistive Devices

People with disabilities may use their personal assistive devices when accessing our services or facilities. We will ensure that our staff are trained and familiar with various assistive devices that may be used by customers with disabilities while accessing our services or facilities.

Service Animals

We welcome people with disabilities and their service animals. Service animals are allowed on the parts of our premises that are open to the public. In the event that a service animal is prohibited by another law, we will provide other resources or supports to enable the person with disabilities to access our services. We will also ensure that all staff, students, volunteers and others dealing with the public are properly trained in how to interact with people with disabilities who are accompanied by a service animal.

Support Persons

A person with a disability who is accompanied by a support person will be allowed to have that person accompany them on our premises.

Notice of Temporary Disruption

Temporary disruptions in our services and facilities may occur from time to time due to reasons that may or may not be within our control. We will make reasonable efforts to provide customers with proper notice in the event of a planned or unexpected disruption in the facilities or services accessed by people with disabilities. This notice will include information about the reason for the disruption, its anticipated duration, and a description of alternative facilities or services, if available. Notices will be posted in visible places in the reception area and by any other method that may be reasonable under the circumstances as soon as reasonably possible.

Feedback Process

Willliams & Partners welcomes feedback on how we provide accessible customer service. Customer feedback will help us identify barriers and respond to concerns. Individuals may provide their feedback in person, by telephone, by fax, in writing, or by delivering an email to:

Willliams & Partners
675 Cochrane Drive
East Tower, Suite 505
Markham, ON L3R 0B8
Ph: 416-969-8166
Fax: 416-969-8167
Email: hr@wpllp.ca

We are committed to reviewing and responding to all questions or complaints within 5 business days. All feedback and questions should be directed to HR.

Emergency Situations

All Willliams & Partners staff will be familiar with emergency procedures and how to assist customers or staff that may require help during an emergency, including persons with disabilities.

Notice of availability of documents

A copy of this policy will be available upon request (i.e. large print, e mail, and hard copy). We will consult with the person making the request to determine the suitability of the format or communication support. We will provide the accessible format in a timely manner.

Modifications to this or other policies

Willliams & Partners will not make changes to this policy unless the impact of the changes on people with disabilities has been considered. Any policies of Willliams & Partners that do not respect and promote the principles of dignity, independence, integration and equal opportunity for people with disabilities will be modified or removed.

Integrated Accessibility Standards Policy

Our Commitment

Willliams & Partners is committed to ensuring equal access and participation for people with disabilities. We are committed to treating people with disabilities in a way that allows them to maintain their dignity and independence. We believe in integration, and we are committed to meeting the needs of people with disabilities in a timely manner. We will do so by removing and preventing barriers to accessibility and by meeting our accessibility requirements under the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act and Ontario’s accessibility laws.

Training

We are committed to providing training to all our staff, students and volunteers on Ontario’s accessibility laws and aspects of the Ontario Human Rights Code that relate to persons with disabilities.

We will train our employees students and volunteers on accessibility as it relates to their specific roles.

Information and communications

We will communicate with people with disabilities in ways that take into account their disability. When asked, we will provide information about our organization and its services in accessible formats.

We will also meet internationally-recognized Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) 2.0 Level AA website requirements in accordance with Ontario’s accessibility laws.

Employment

We will notify employees, potential hires and the public that accommodations can be made during recruitment and hiring.

We will notify staff that supports are available for those with disabilities. We will put in place a process to develop individual accommodation plans for employees.

Where needed, we will also provide customized emergency information to help an employee with a disability during an emergency.

We will put procedures in place to prevent service disruptions to our accessible parts of our public spaces.

Changes to existing policies

We will modify or remove an existing policy that does not respect and promote the dignity and independence of people with disabilities.

Feedback Process

Willliams & Partners
675 Cochrane Drive
East Tower, Suite 505
Markham, ON L3R 0B8
Ph: 416-969-8166
Fax: 416-969-8167
Email: hr@wpllp.ca

We are committed to reviewing and responding to all questions or complaints within 5 business days. All feedback and questions should be directed to HR.

Williams & Partners Accessibility Plan

Statement of commitment

Williams & Partners is committed to improving accessibility and inclusion throughout the Firm by identifying, removing and preventing barriers for people with disabilities. We are committed to treating all individuals in a way that allows them to maintain their dignity and independence.

Williams & Partners is committed to working towards the Government of Ontario’s goal of an accessible Ontario by 2025. Ensuring our services and facilities are inclusive and aligns with the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA).

Introduction

In 2005, Ontario passed the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act. Under this legislation, employers are required to identify, remove and prevent barriers for people living with disabilities and, on an ongoing basis, implement and maintain accessibility standards.

In accordance with these regulations, Williams & Partners strives to meet the needs of its employees and customers with disabilities and is working diligently to remove and prevent barriers to accessibility.

The 2021 – 2025 Multi-year Accessibility Plan (MYAP) will help Williams & Partners comply with Ontario’s accessibility laws and meet our own accessibility policy commitments.

Plan Schedule

This document outlines the projects, programs and initiatives that collectively represent Williams & Partners multi-year Accessibility Plan, the strategy for preventing and removing barriers and meeting requirements under AODA. It should be noted that some components of this plan are currently in place while others will be implemented within timelines dictated by the Act, and by 2025.

Information and Communication Standards

Williams & Partners is committed to providing, upon request, business information and communications in accessible formats. Williams & Partners will consult with the requestor to determine the most suitable format and provide the information in a timely manner as is practicable, taking into account the requestor’s accessibility needs.

Web Content

Williams & Partners shall ensure that all of its websites and web content conform with WCAG 2.0 Level AA guidelines.

Accessibility Formats and Communication Supports

Accessible formats and communication supports will be determined and provided in consultation with the requestor. These formats may include but are not limited to large print. Communication supports may include plain language and other alternative and augmentative communication supports that facilitate effective communication.

Employment Standards

Williams & Partners is committed to conducting fair and accessible employment practices throughout the employment life cycle from recruitment, onboarding, development, retention and separation. Upon request, Williams & Partners will strive to provide suitable accommodation as required by the situation and requestor. Williams & Partners will also take every precaution to protect employee privacy, disclosing only what information is required on a ‘need to know’ basis.

Williams & Partners efforts to meet these employment standards consist of:

Building awareness through including an inclusivity statement on all job postings that contains a provision for accommodations
Posting the company’s accessible plan on websites and in reception area to communicate that the use of assistive devices, service animals, and support persons is welcome in the workplace
Communicating changes to existing policies and procedures involving accessibility
In a timely manner, responding to and providing individualized accommodations that meet the specific needs of the requestor
Incorporating accommodation into return to work plan and developing individual accommodation plans for existing, temporary and new disabilities. These plans will be re-evaluated as circumstances change to ensure they continue to meet the needs of the employee.

Design of Public Spaces Standards

As Williams & Partners leases office space and has not constructed or redeveloped property, this standard of the Act is not applicable.

Customer Service Standards

Williams & Partners. is committed to providing accessible customer service to people with disabilities. This means that we will provide goods and services to people with disabilities with the same high quality and timeliness as others.

Williams & Partners efforts to meet this standard include:

Developing organizational policies that respect human dignity and independence, especially for persons with disabilities
Providing services in a manner that takes into account the person’s disability or special requirement
Communicating accessibility policies to employees and customers as well as posting this information or providing this information in a method that is reasonable in the circumstances
Welcoming support persons and service animals in the workplace
Developing steps to manage temporary disruptions including instructions posting public notices which will include reason, duration and alternate options available
Establishing and communication feedback process to address complaints and suggestions related to the manner in which goods, services or facilities are provided to persons with disabilities as well as other company accessibility practices

Training

Williams & Partners is committed to providing training in the requirements of Ontario’s accessibility laws and the Ontario Human Rights Code as it applies to people with disabilities.

Williams & Partners efforts to meet training standards consist of:

Building awareness and educating employees on accessibility requirements by providing AODA training to employees within 30 days of hire, training completion will be monitored and tracked

Annual Reviews and Compliance Reporting

Williams & Partners will conduct annual AODA policy and plan reviews to ensure compliance with accessibility standards as outlined in the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act and integrated Accessibility Standards Regulations. Policies and plans will be updated as required. AODA compliance reports will be submitted following timelines outlined by the legislation.

For More Information

For more information on this accessibility plan, please contact Human Resources at:

Williams & Partners
675 Cochrane Drive
East Tower, Suite 505
Markham, Ontario
L3R 0B8
Phone: 416-969-8166
Email: hr@wpllp.ca