Accessibility Plan
Statement of Commitment
Ross & McBride LLP supports the full inclusion of persons with disabilities as set out in the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms, Ontario Human Rights Code, and the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act. Ross & McBride LLP recognizes the diverse needs of all of our employees, volunteers, partners and clients and will respond by striving to provide services and facilities that are accessible to all.
Ross & McBride LLP is committed to eliminating barriers and improving accessibility for persons with disabilities in a manner that respects dignity, independence, integration and equal opportunity.
Accessible Customer Service Policy
Ross & McBride LLP is committed to excellence in serving all clients including people with disabilities and we carry out our functions and responsibilities in the following areas:
1.1. Communication:
We will communicate with persons with disabilities in ways that take into account their disability. This means staff will communicate in means that enables persons with disabilities to communicate effectively for the purpose of using and receiving Ross & McBride LLP’s services.
Ross & McBride LLP will train staff who communicate with clients on how to interact and communicate with people with various types of disabilities
1.2. Assistive Devices:
Ross & McBride LLP is committed to serving people with disabilities who use assistive devices to obtain, use or benefits from our services. We will ensure that our staff is trained and familiar with various assistive devices that may be used by clients with disabilities while accessing our goods or services.
It is the responsibility of the person with the disability to ensure that his or her active device is operated in a safe and controlled manner.
1.3. Use of Service Animals and Support Persons:
Persons with disabilities may bring their service animal on the parts of the premise that are open to the public or other third parties. We will ensure that all staff is trained in how to interact with persons with disabilities who are accompanied by a service animal.
Any person with a disability who is accompanied by a support person will be allowed to enter Ross & McBride LLP premise with his or her support person. At no time will a person with a disability who is accompanied with a support person be prevented from having access to his or her support person while on our premise.
Ross & McBride LLP will provide customers with notice in the event of a plan or unexpected disruption in the ability or services usually used 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.
The notice will be placed in our reception and on our website.
Ross & McBride LLP will provide training to all employees, volunteers and others who deal with the public or third parties on their behalf, and all those who are involved in the development and approvals of customer service policies, practices and procedures.
This training will be provided within four (4) weeks after staff commences their duties.
Training will include the following:
- The purpose 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 various types disabilities;
- How to interact with people with disabilities who use an assistive device or required the assistance of a service animal or a support person;
- What to do if a person with a disability is having difficulty in assessing Ross & McBride LLP’s services; and
- Ross & McBride LLP’s policies, practices, and procedures relating to the customer service standard.
Applicable staff will be training on policies, practices, and procedures that affect the way goods and services are provided to people with disabilities. Staff will also be trained on an ongoing basis when changes are made to these polices, practices and procedures.
The ultimate goal of Ross & McBride LLP is to meet and surpass service delivery expectations while serving customers with disabilities. Comments on our services regarding how well those expectations are being met are welcome and appreciated.
Feedback regarding the way Ross & McBride LLP provides goods and services to people with disabilities can be made by in person, by telephone, in writing, or by delivering an electronic text by email or on diskette. All feedback will be directed to Dawn Power at dpower@rossmcbride.com, Direct Tel: 905-572-5840.
Customers can expect to hear back within 15 business days of their feedback being received. A feedback response will be endeavored to be in a form that is accessible to the service recipient.
Where it is not possible to provide a full response to the feedback within 15 days, an interim acknowledgment will be sent to the client or customer. The acknowledgment will indicate when the matter will be addressed and when the client will be notified of any decision made in response to the feedback.
We are committed to developing customer service policies that respect and promote the dignity and independence of people with disabilities. Therefore, no changes will be made to this policy before considering the impact on people with disabilities. Any policy of Ross & McBride LLP that does not respect and promote the dignity and independence of people with disabilities will be modified or removed.
This policy exists to achieve service excellence to clients with disabilities. If anyone has any questions about the policy, or the purpose of the policy is not understood, an explanation should be provided by, or referred to, Dawn Powers, Acting Officer Manager of Ross & McBride LLP.
Accessibility Policies and Plans under the Integrate Accessibility Standards
1.1 Accessible Emergency Information
Ross & McBride is committed to providing its employees and clients with publicly available emergency information in an accessible way upon request. We provide employees with disabilities with individualized emergency response information when necessary based on their known accommodation needs.
1.2 Training
In addition to the training we provide to our employees under the Accessibility Standards for Customer Service, the OHSA and the Ontario Human Rights Code, Ross & McBride LLP provides training to our employees, on the requirements of the Integrated Accessibility Standards (Ontario Regulation 191/11).
Training records are made and maintained in accordance with the requirements of the Integrated Accessibility Standards.
1.3 Information and Communications
Ross & McBride LLP is committed to meeting the communication needs of people with disabilities. When requested, we will consult with people with disabilities to determine their information and communication needs.
Ross & McBride LLP will ensure that existing feedback processes are accessible to people with disabilities, upon request.
Ross & McBride LLP ensures that all of its publicly available information is made accessible upon request. Where a request for an accessible format or for communication supports is received, Ross & McBride LLP will:
- consult with individual making the request to determine their accessibility needs and what would be a suitable format or support;
- provide the requested information in a timely manner; and
- provide the information at regular cost (if any).
- Ross & McBride LLP’s existing website and all content on our website that has been posted since January 1, 2012, conforms with the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) 2.0, Level AA.
1.4 Employment
Ross & McBride LLP is committed to fair and accessible employment practices.
Ross & McBride LLP confirms in its job postings that accommodations are available for people with disabilities during the recruitment process. If an applicant is selected to participate in an assessment process, Ross & McBride LLP notifies the applicant that accommodations are available upon request should the applicant have accessibility needs due to a disability. Ross & McBride LLP will consult with the applicant to determine whether a suitable individualized accommodation is available.
Ross & McBride LLP notifies successful applicants of its policies for accommodating employees with disabilities. Ross & McBride LLP notifies its employees and new hires of its policies to support people with disabilities and provides appropriate training as set out above.
Where an employee requests, Ross & McBride LLP will provide or arrange for the provision of accessible formats or communications supports for: (a) information needed to perform the employee’s job; and (b) information generally available to other employees. Ross & McBride LLP will consult with the employee making the request.
Ross & McBride LLP has implemented a Disability Accommodation Policy and a Return to Work Policy that incorporate the obligations of the Integrated Accessibility Standards, including the development and use of Individual Accommodation Plans.
When undertaking any performance management, career development and redeployment processes, Ross & McBride LLP will ensure that the accessibility and accommodation needs of its employees with disabilities are taken into account. This will include a review of any individual accommodation plans that are in place for individual employees.
1.5 Design of Public Spaces
Ross & McBride LLP will meet the Accessibility Standards for the Design of Public Spaces when building or making major modifications to public spaces such as our waiting area. Ross & McBride LLP will endeavour to prevent service disruptions to the accessible parts of its public spaces. To reduce the risk of service disruptions, Ross & McBride LLP will periodically inspect the accessible portions of its public spaces. When any deficiencies are noted that might impact on accessibility, Ross & McBride LLP will take steps to correct the deficiency within a reasonable time frame.
In the event of a service disruption, we will notify the public of the service disruption and alternatives available.
Accessible Information
For more information on this Accessibility Plan, or for a copy of this plan in an accessible format, please contact the firm by any of the following means:
By telephone: 289-806-0105
By e-mail: dpower@rossmcbride.com
By regular mail:
Ross & McBride LLP
1 King Street West, 10th Floor
Hamilton, ON L8P 1A4
Attention: Office Manager