Commitment to Accessibility Policy

HR-34
Commitment to Accessibility Policy
DepartmentHuman Resources
Creation DateJanuary 1, 2014
Approval DateJanuary 1, 2014
Effective DateJanuary 1, 2014

Organizational Scope

This policy shall apply to all members of the Michener Community, which includes all employees, students, volunteers and others who provide goods, services or facilities on behalf of the organization.

Purpose

The Michener Institute is committed to promoting an accessible environment for employees, students, and members of the community. The accessibility policy will demonstrate this commitment, ensure all applicable requirements under the Integrated Accessibility Standards Regulation (IASR) are fulfilled, and outline the Michener Institute’s leadership in creating and maintaining an accessible and inclusive organization.

The Michener Institute will use a Multi-year Accessibility Plan to outline its strategy in meeting the applicable requirements in the IASR to remove and prevent barriers for persons with disabilities. In accordance with the IASR, and as a means of ensuring transparency in the process, the Michener Institute will post the Multi-year Accessibility Plan on its website.

Definitions

The term “person(s) with disability” shall refer to an individual(s) who has a disability as defined under the Ontario Human Rights Code.

Policy

The Michener Institute provides training on accessibility standard requirements and the Ontario Human Rights Code, as it pertains to persons with disabilities, to all employees, volunteers, and all other persons who provide goods, services or facilities on behalf of the organization. The training will occur in accordance with the timeframes set out in the ISAR and contain information appropriate to the duties of the employee, volunteer, or other person.

EMPLOYMENT

The Michener Institute is committed to employment practices that are inclusive. As part of this commitment, the Michener Institute will ensure all applicants are aware of the availability of accommodation for persons with disabilities during the recruitment, assessment or selection process. If a request for accommodation is made, the Human Resources Department will consult with the applicant to arrange for suitable accommodation in a manner that takes into account the applicant’s accessibility needs due to their disability. The Michener Institute will also inform employees of its policies used to support employees with disabilities, including but not limited to, the accommodation policy which takes into account an employee’s accessibility needs due to disability.

The Michener Institute will provide, upon request, an individual workplace emergency response plan to an employee who has a disability provided the employee’s disability requires such a plan. The Michener Institute will review the information contained in an employee’s workplace emergency response plan when the employee moves to a different location, when general emergency response policies are reviewed, or when the employee’s overall accommodation needs or plans are reviewed.

INFORMATION AND COMMUNICATION

The Michener Institute will meet the communication needs of persons with disabilities and will provide information and communication materials in accessible formats or with communication supports, upon request, in accordance with the time frames set out in the ISAR. Any publically available emergency procedures, plans or safety information will be available in an accessible format or with appropriate communication supports, as soon as practicable, upon request

EDUCATIONAL AND TRAINING RESOURCES AND MATERIALS

The Michener Institute will provide educators with accessibility awareness training related to accessible program or course delivery and instructions. The Human Resources Department will keep a record of the training provided, including the dates on which the training was provided and the names of the employees completing the training. The Michener Institute will provide educational or training resources or materials in an accessible format upon request and will arrange for the provision of a comparable resource in an accessible format or conversion ready electronic format if the resources or materials cannot be procured or obtained by other means. Student records and information on program requirement, availability and descriptions will be provided in an accessible format upon request and take into account the accessibility needs of the person with a disability.

Associated Documentation

Accessibility Standards for Customer Service Policy
Accommodation Policy