AODA Policies

The Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act, 2005 (AODA), is legislation that mandates how businesses and organizations provide accessible services to community members with disabilities. The goal of the AODA is for Ontario to be fully accessible by 2025. In compliance with the AODA, FCR is required to develop and implement a statement of commitment, accessibility policies, and an accessibility plan.

Communication

FCR will communicate with people with disabilities in ways that take into account their disability. FCR will provide, on request, information in an accessible format or with communication supports to people with disabilities.

Assistive Devices

Persons with disabilities may use their own assistive devices as required when accessing services provide by FCR. In cases where the assistive device presents a safety concern or where accessibility might be an issue, other reasonable measures will be used to ensure the access to services.

Service Animals

Policies that prohibit pets on the premises do not apply to service animals. A customer with a disability who is accompanied by a service animal will be allowed access to the premises unless otherwise excluded by law.

If it is not clear the animal is being used by the customer for reasons relating to their disability, FCR may request verification from the customer which can include a:

  • Letter from a regulated health professional confirming the person requires the animal for 
 reasons related to the disability;
  • Valid identification card signed by the AttorneyGeneral of Canada; or
  • Certificate of training from are cognized guide dog or service animal training school.

The customer who is accompanied by a guide dog or service animal is responsible for always maintaining care and control of the animal.

If a health and safety concern presents itself, FCR will make all reasonable efforts to meet the needs of all individuals.

Support Persons

If a customer with a disability is accompanied by a support person, FCR will ensure that both persons can enter the premises together and that the customer is not prevented from having access to the support person.

Notice of Disruption in Service

Service disruptions may occur due to reasons that may or may not be within the control or knowledge of FCR. In the event of any temporary disruptions to facilities or services that customers with disabilities rely on to access FCR services, reasonable efforts will be made to provide advance notice. In some circumstances, such as in the situation of unplanned temporary disruptions, advance notice may not be possible.

If FCR is made known of a disruption, a notification will be posted in conspicuous places, clients will be contacted with appointments or any other method that is reasonable under the circumstances. The notification will be posted with the following information:

  • The service that is disrupted or unavailable;
  • Reason for the disruption;
  • Anticipated duration; and
  • A description of alternative services or options.

Employment

Training will be provided to all employees and anyone who provides services on behalf of FCR. As reflection in Ontario Regulation 191/11, training will cover the following:

  • A review of the purpose of the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act, 2005;
  • A review of the requirements of the Accessibility Standards for CustomerService, Ontario 
 Regulation 191/11;
  • Instructions on how to interact and communicate with people with various types of 
 disabilities;
  • Instructions on how to interact with people with disabilities who:
    • Use assistive devices;
    • Require the assistance of a service animal; or
    • Require the use of a support person;
  • Instructions on how to use equipment or devices that are available at our premises or that 
 we provide which may help people with disabilities;
  • Instructions on what to do if a person with a disability if having difficulty accessing our 
 services; and
  • FCR policies, procedures, and practices pertaining to providing accessible customer service 
 to customers with disabilities.

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

Training will be provided during orientation to new employees. FCR will keep a record of training dates and employees who attended the training. Revised training will be recorded in the event of changes to legislation, procedures, or practices.

FCR 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.

Our performance management, career development and redeployment processes will take into account the accessibility needs of all employees.

Design of Public Spaces

FCR will meet accessibility laws when building or making major changes to public spaces and will ensure that staff knows how to use assistive devices available on our premises such as elevators, automatic doors, etc.

Elevator

In accordance with the Ontario Building Code, FCR offersthe use of an elevator to employees or clientswho may have mobility issues.Specific staff are trained to work with individuals requiring the elevator.

Washroom

FCR offers an accessible washroom that is designed in accordance with the requirements under the Ontario BuildingCode, Section 3.8.

Website

FCR will meet internationally recognized Web ContentAccessibility Guidelines (WCAG) 2.0 Level AA website requirements in accordance with Ontario’s accessibility laws.

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.

Multi-Year Accessibility Plan

This Multi-Year Accessibility Plan is developed in accordance with the requirements of the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA), and they outline our commitment to achieve accessibility goals. This plan is available on the firm website, and can be provided in an accessible format, on request.FCR will update them at least once every five years to ensure up to date compliance.

Statement of Commitment

Freelandt Caldwell ReillyLLP is committed to providing services to people with disabilities in a way that allows them to maintain their dignity and independence. Providing all clients with accessibility is a major continuing objective. Freelandt Caldwell Reilly LLP will make every effort to putting the client first and let the principles of independence, dignity, integration, and equality of opportunity guide us. All supervisors and workers must be dedicated to the continuing objective of providing accessibility in customer service.

Feedback

If requested, FCR will be able to receive and respond to feedback on the service provided to clients and employees with disabilities. The feedback can be in writing, by telephone, email, or online correspondence. This information must be inaccessible formats if required.

Actions Taken to Remove and Prevent Barriers

Customer Service

Freelandt Caldwell Reilly LLP is committed to providing accessible customer service to people with disabilities. This means that we will provide goods, services, and facilities to people with disabilities with the same high quality and timeliness as others.

  • FCR will communicate with people with disabilities in ways that take into account their 
 disability;
  • Clients and visitors who are accompanied by a registered service animal or support person 
 are accommodated and permitted to access areas of our premises open to the pubic. If 
 clients and visitors are accompanied by a support person, the support person will be 
 accommodated.
  • Persons with disabilities may use their own assistive devices as required when accessing 
 services provided by FCR.

Employment

Freelandt Caldwell ReillyLLP is committed to fair and accessible practices.

  • When a worker becomes injured or ill, we will communicate with the worker and work with 
 them to arrange a return to productive and meaningful work based upon their functional 
 abilities.
  • Freelandt Caldwell Reilly LLP welcomes and encourages applications from people with 
 disabilities. Accommodations are available on request for candidates taking part in all 
 aspects of the selection process.
  • FCR provides individualized workplace emergency response information to partnersand 
 employees who have a disability, as required.

Information and Communication

Freelandt Caldwell Reilly LLP is committed to making our information and communications accessible to people with disabilities.

  • FCR will provide, on request, information in an accessible format or with communication 
 support to people with disabilities.
  • FCR will notify employees, potential hires, and the public that accommodations can be 
 made during recruitment and hiring.
  • In the event of any temporary disruptions to facilities or services that customers with 
 disabilities rely on to access, FCR will notify clients of the service that is being disrupted, 
 the reason for the disruption, the anticipated duration, and the description of alternative 
 services or options.
  • FCR receives and responds to feedback on the service provided to clients and employees 
 with disabilities in writing, by telephone, email, online correspondence, or in an accessible 
 format if required.

Training

Freelandt Caldwell Reilly LLP is committed to providing training in the requirements ofOntario’s accessibility laws and the Ontario Human Rights Code as it applies to people with disabilities.

  • FCR will keep a record of training dates and employees who attended the training.Revised 
 training will be recorded in the event of changes to legislation, procedures, or practices.
  • FCR will continue to educate management and employees to maintain a high ethical 
 standard and ensure the integrity and respect of all clients and employees.
  • AODA training is provided to all new hires and anyone who provides services on behalf of FCR. Training covers:
    • The purpose of the AODA
    • The requirements of the Accessibility Standards for Customer Service, Ontario Regulation 191/11
    • How to interact and communicate with people with various types of disabilities
    • Instructions on how to use equipment or devices that are available at our premises that 
 may help people with disabilities
    • What to do if a person with a disability is having difficulty accessing our services; and
    • FCR policies, procedures, and practices pertaining to providing accessible customer 
 service to customers with disabilities.

Design of Public Spaces

Freelandt Caldwell Reilly LLP will meet accessibility laws when building or making major changes to public spaces.

  • FCR will ensure that staff knows how to use assistive devices available on our premises such 
 as elevators, automatic doors, etc.
  • In accordance with the Ontario Building Code, FCR offers the use of an elevator to 
 employees or clients who may have mobility issues. Specific staff are trained to work with 
 individuals requiring the elevator.
  • FCR offers an accessible washroom that is designed in accordance with the requirements 
 under the Ontario Building Code, Section 3.8.
  • FCR offers standing desks and ergonomic workstations (Chairs and Keyboard trays), to ensure efficiency and comfort in our workspaces.

Additional

  • FCR will review our AODA policies and plan annually to ensure compliance with changing 
 legislation and new working conditions.
  • FCR will continue to seek for ways that make already established policies more efficient as 
 new technology or information is released.
  • We will modify or remove any existing policies that do not respect or promote the dignity 
 and independence of people with disabilities.
  • FCR will meet internationally recognized Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) 2.0 
 Level AA website requirements in accordance with Ontario’s accessibility laws.