Last Updated 02/09/2024
PURPOSE
Erie Architectural Products (“Erie AP”, “us”, “we”, or “our”) is committed to meeting its current and ongoing obligations under the Ontario Human Rights Code and Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act, 2005 (AODA).
The Company strives to provide our products and services in a manner that is accessible to all our customers and respects the dignity and independence of individuals with disabilities. We are committed to providing a workplace and products that are accessible to all individuals, including those with disabilities by providing the benefit of the same services, in the same place and in a comparable way to all customers.
SCOPE
Applies to all members employed by Erie Architectural Products Inc. including contract employees.
DOCUMENT CONTENTS
- Definition
- Assistive Devices
- Service Animals
- Notice of Temporary Disruption
- Telephone Services
- Training Requirements
- Feedback Process
- Notice of Availability of Documents
- Policy Modification
- Communication
- Training
- Evaluation
- References
DEFINITION
Disability
Any degree of physical disability, infirmity, malformation, or disfigurement that is caused by bodily injury, birth defect, or illness.
Accessibility
The degree to which products, services, facilities, and information are easily usable by individuals with disabilities.
AODA (Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act)
Legislation enacted in Ontario, Canada, with the goal of achieving accessibility for people with disabilities by developing, implementing, and enforcing accessibility standards.
Barrier
Any obstacle that prevents individuals from fully participating in all aspects of society, including physical, architectural, communication, or attitudinal barriers.
Customer Service Standard
Definition: AODA standard that outlines requirements for organizations to provide accessible customer service, including communication, assistive devices, service animals, and support persons.
Designated Public Sector Organization
An organization specified by AODA regulations that must comply with accessibility standards and report on its accessibility efforts.
Employment Standard
AODA standard that establishes requirements for employers to address accessibility in recruitment, accommodation, and employment practices.
Information and Communication Standard
AODA standard outlines measures organizations must take to make information and communication accessible, including formats, communication supports, and accessible websites.
Service Animal
Any animal individually trained to work or perform tasks for the benefit of a person with a disability including guide dogs, signal dogs, and other animals.
Support Person
A person who accompanies an individual with a disability to help with communication, mobility, or other tasks, as required.
Undue Hardship
A limit on the extent to which organizations must provide accommodations or remove barriers, considering factors such as cost and health and safety requirements.
Accessible Format
Information that can be easily read, interpreted, and understood by individuals with various disabilities, often provided in alternative formats such as large print, braille, or electronic text.
ASSISTIVE DEVICES
EAP is committed to serving people with disabilities who use assistive devices to obtain, use or benefit from our goods and services. In cases where the assistive device presents a significant unavoidable health or safety concern or may not be permitted for other reasons, other measures will be put in place to ensure individuals with a disability can access our goods, services, or facilities.
The Company will ensure that members are aware of how to use the following assistive devices available on our premises for customers: door entrance device:
SERVICE ANIMALS
Any person with a disability who is accompanied by a support person will be allowed to enter EAP’s premises with his/her support person. At no time will a person with a disability who is accompanied by a support person be prevented from having access to his/her support person while on our premises.
NOTICE OF TEMPORARY DISTRUPTION
EAP will provide customers with notice in the event of a planned or unexpected disruption in the facility or services usually used by individuals with disabilities. These notices will 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 visible at the main entrance to our premises.
TELEPHONE SERVICES
EAP is committed to providing a fully accessible telephone service to our customers. On-site staff are available to communicate with customers over the telephone in a clear and concise manner that can be easily understood.
BILLING
EAP will provide accessible invoices to all customers. Invoices will be provided in the following format upon request: hard copy, large print, or email.
Any customer inquiries regarding the content of the invoice may be managed in person, by telephone or email.
TRAINING REQUIREMENTS
Training will include:
- The purposes of the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act, 2005 and the requirements of the customer service standard
- How to interact and communicate with people with several 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
- How to use the main entrance assistive device
- What to do if a person with a disability is having difficulty in accessing Erie Architectural Products Inc.’s goods and services
- EAP’S policies, practices and procedures relating to the customer service standard.
FEEDBACK PROCESS
EAP welcomes feedback on how we provide accessible customer services. Customer feedback helps identify barriers and respond to concerns. All feedback will be directed to Human Resources, who will respond to all inquiries within one (1) to two (2) business days.
Customers will be notified of how to provide feedback in the following ways:
- Email at [email protected]
- Feedback Form
- Contact Human Resources (519) 727-0372 Ext.237
NOTICE OF AVAILABILITY OF DOCUMENTS
EAP will notify the public that documents related to accessible customer service, are available upon request by posting a notice in the following location:
POLICY MODIFICATION
EAP is committed to developing customer service policies that respect and promote the dignity and independence of people with disabilities. No changes will be made to this policy before considering the impact on people with disabilities. Any policy of EAP that does not respect and promote the dignity and independence of individuals with disabilities will be modified or removed.
COMMUNICATION
To be communicated to all employees.
TRAINING
All new hires will receive training on the AODA policy during the orientation process.
EVALUATION
Review on a yearly basis or as needed.
REFERENCES
Human Rights Code (Ontario)
Ontarians with Disabilities Act, 2005 (AODA)
Customer Feedback Form
AODA Disruption in Service Notification
AODA Record of Customer Feedback
CONTACT US
If you have any questions about this Accessibility Policy, please Contact Us online or at the following addresses:
Canadian Office
477 Jutras Dr. South
Lakeshore, Ontario, N8N 5C4
Canada
1.800.878.1861
US Office
39525 West 13 Mile Rd., Ste. 200
Novi, MI, 48377
United States of America
1.800.878.1861