AODA Integrated Accessibility Standards Policy

Purpose

This policy is intended to meet the requirements of the Integrated Accessibility Standards, Ontario Regulation 191/11 for the Employment Standard set forth under the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act, 2005. This policy applies to the provision of accessible employment services for people with disabilities. All employment services provided by Insurance Bureau of Canada (“IBC”) shall follow the principles of dignity, independence, integration and equal opportunity.

Multi-Year Accessibility Plan

IBC has developed and will maintain and document a Multi-Year Accessibility Plan outlining its strategy to prevent and remove barriers from its workplace and to improve opportunities for persons with disabilities.

The Multi-Year Accessibility Plan will be reviewed and updated every five years, and is posted on IBC's internal and external websites. Upon request, IBC will provide a copy of the Multi-Year Accessibility Plan in an accessible format.

Scope

This policy applies to all IBC staff, contract employees, students and consultants.

Policy

IBC is committed to providing persons with disabilities the same opportunity to access our resources and services, in a manner consistent with the principles of dignity, independence, integration, and equal opportunity.

Furthermore, IBC shall use every effort to ensure that we meet the needs of persons with disabilities, in a timely manner, through the implementation of this policy in accordance with the spirit and intent of all applicable legislation including the AODA, the Ontario Human Rights Code, and Ontario’s accessibility laws.

IBC is committed to training all staff and volunteers in accessible customer service, other Ontario’s accessibility standards and aspects of the Ontario Human Rights Code that relate to persons with disabilities. We will ensure that all personnel, and all those who are involved in the development of the IBC’s policies, practices and procedures, are trained.
The training will be provided as soon as practical after hiring or engagement, on commencement of new or additional duties that require training, and on an ongoing basis when changes are made to the applicable policy, practices or procedures.
People with disabilities may use their personal assistive devices when accessing our services or facilities.
Assistive devices enable people to do everyday tasks such as moving, communicating, reading or lifting by eliminating barriers. A few examples of devices that could be used are wheelchairs, walkers, listening devices, and portable oxygen tanks, laptops with screen-reading software and communication programs, canes, hand-held devices and hearing aids. Personnel will be trained and familiar with various assistive devices that may be used by people with disabilities while accessing our services
IBC will make reasonable efforts to communicate with people with disabilities in ways that take into account their disability. IBC is committed to training its staff on how to interact and communicate with people with different types of disabilities.
People with disabilities who are accompanied by a service animal are welcome on the parts of our premises that are open to the public and other third parties, unless the service animal is otherwise excluded by law. If a service animal is excluded, we will explain to the consumer why exclusion is necessary, and explore alternative measures of accommodation. If it is not readily apparent that the animal is a service animal, we may ask the person with a disability for a letter from a physician or nurse confirming that the person requires the animal for reasons relating to his or her disability.
People with disabilities that require a support person are allowed to enter our premises, and at no time will a person with a disability who is accompanied by a support person be prevented from having access to his or her support person while on our premises.
We will ensure that personnel are trained to be able to appropriately interact with people with disabilities that are accompanied by service animals or support persons.
We will notify consumers if there is a planned or unexpected disruption in the facilities or services usually used by people with disabilities. This notice will be posted on our website. The notice will include the following information:
- the service that is unavailable;
- the reason for the disruption;
- the anticipated duration of the disruption; and
- alternative services, if available.
IBC notifies the public that documents related to accessible customer service, are available upon request by sending an email to hrinfo@ibc.ca. IBC will provide these documents in an accessible format or with communication support, on request. 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 and, at no additional cost.
All IBC policies and procedures will be developed or updated to respect and promote the dignity and independence of persons with disabilities.
We welcome feedback from the public regarding this policy and its implementation. Feedback regarding the way IBC provides services to people with disabilities can be made:
- By telephone at 416-445-5912
- Electronically to hrinfo@ibc.ca
All feedback will be directed to IBC’s Manager of Human Resources, and those providing feedback can expect to receive a response within ten business days.