Accessibility Policy

Purpose: The purpose of this document is to outline Nemcor Inc.’s accessibility policies to meet its obligations under the AODA.

Statement of Commitment

Nemcor Inc. is committed to providing a respectful and accessible environment to ensure equal access and participation for people with disabilities. We are committed to doing so in a way that allows people with disabilities to maintain their dignity and independence.

We are committed to meeting the accessibility needs of people with disabilities in a timely manner and aim to ensure that the principles of independence, dignity, integration, and equality of opportunity are at the core of our accessibility practices.

We are committed to identifying, preventing and removing barriers to inclusion and meeting accessibility requirements under the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA), and Ontario’s accessibility laws.

Key Definitions

“accessible formats” may include, but are not limited to, large print, recorded audio and electronic formats, braille and other formats usable by persons with disabilities

“communication supports” may include, but are not limited to, captioning, alternative and augmentative communication supports, plain language, sign language and other supports that facilitate effective communications

“disability” means,

1. any degree of physical disability, infirmity, malformation or disfigurement that is caused by bodily injury, birth defect or illness and, without limiting the generality of the foregoing, includes diabetes mellitus, epilepsy, a brain injury, any degree of paralysis, amputation, lack of physical co-ordination, blindness or visual impediment, deafness or hearing impediment, muteness or speech impediment, or physical reliance on a guide dog or other animal or on a wheelchair or other remedial appliance or device,
2. a condition of mental impairment or a developmental disability,
3. a learning disability, or a dysfunction in one or more of the processes involved in understanding or using symbols or spoken language,
4. a mental disorder, or
5. an injury or disability for which benefits were claimed or received under the insurance plan established under the Workplace Safety and Insurance Act, 1997

“guide dog” means a dog trained as a guide for a blind person and having the qualifications prescribed by the regulations of the Blind Persons’ Rights Act.

“support animal” an animal is a service animal for a person with a disability if,

1. the animal can be readily identified as one that is being used by the person for reasons relating to the person’s disability, as a result of visual indicators such as the vest or harness worn by the animal; or
2. the person provides documentation from an approved regulated health professional confirming that the person requires the animal for reasons relating to the disability.

“support person” means, in relation to a person with a disability, another person who accompanies him or her in order to help with communication, mobility, personal care or medical needs or with access to goods, services or facilities.

General

Multi-Year Accessibility Plan

Nemcor Inc. will establish, implement, maintain and document a multi-year accessibility plan outlining our strategy for preventing and removing barriers to accessibility. This plan will be available on our website and will be provided in an accessible format upon request. This plan will be reviewed and updated at least once every five years.

Training

Nemcor Inc. is committed to providing timely training to employees, volunteers, those who participate in developing our organization's policies, and those who provide goods on our behalf.

Training will be appropriate to the duties of the individual. It will occur as soon as practicable when individuals join the organization, change functions within the organization (as needed), and when our accessibility policies change. We will keep appropriate records of the dates that training occurs, and the number of participants in attendance.

Training will include:

• The Ontario Human Rights Code as it relates to people with disabilities.
• The purpose and requirements of the Integrated Accessibility Standards Regulation (IASR) under the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA).
• The provision of our goods to people with disabilities.
• All other internal accessibility policies.

Information and Communication Standards

Feedback

Nemcor Inc. will ensure that processes for receiving and responding to feedback are accessible to people with disabilities by providing accessible formats or communication supports upon request.

Accessible Formats and Communication Supports

When an accessible format or communication support is requested, Nemcor Inc. will consult with the requester to determine a suitable format and deliver that format in a reasonable amount of time and at no additional cost.

Emergency Procedure, Plans or Public Safety Information

Public documents relating to emergency procedures, plans, and public safety information will be provided in an accessible format, or with appropriate communication supports upon request and as soon as practicable.

Accessible Websites and Web Content

Nemcor Inc. strives to ensure our website and web content conform to WCAG 2.0 Level AA standards.

Employment Standards

Recruitment

Nemcor Inc. will notify job applicants about the availability of accommodation throughout the recruitment process.

If an applicant requests an accommodation, we will consult with the applicant to provide a suitable accommodation that takes into account the applicant’s accessibility needs due to disability. Successful applicants will be made aware of our policies for accommodating employees with disabilities.

Informing Employees of Supports

Nemcor Inc. will notify employees of our policies to support employees with disabilities. This information will be provided to employees as soon as practicable after they begin employment, and employees will be updated as these policies are updated.

Accessible Formats and Communication Supports for Employees

Employees with disabilities may request information that is needed to do their job and information that is generally available to employees in an accessible format or with communication support. The employee will be consulted to determine the suitability of the accessible format or communication support.

Workplace Emergency Response Information

Nemcor Inc. will provide Individualized Workplace Emergency Response Information to employees who have a disability when accommodation is required, and when we have been made aware of the need for accommodation.

If needed, and with the employee’s consent, we will provide the workplace emergency response information to the designated person who will assist the employee. This information will be provided as soon as practicable once we are aware of the need for accommodation.

This information will be reviewed when the employee moves to a different location, when the employee’s accommodation needs change, and when we review our internal emergency response plans.

Documented Individual Accommodation Plans

Nemcor Inc. will maintain a written process for the development of documented individual accommodation plans for employees with disabilities. Documented individual accommodation plans will be available to employees with disabilities as Nemcor Inc. is made aware of the need for accommodation.

Return to Work Process

Nemcor Inc. will maintain a documented return to work process for employees who have been absent from work due to a disability and who require disability-related accommodations to return to work.

Performance Management, Career Development and Advancement, and Redeployment

Nemcor Inc. will take into account the accessibility needs of employees with disabilities, as well as individual accommodation plans during our performance management, career development and advancement, and redeployment processes.

Design of Public Spaces Standards

Nemcor Inc. will meet accessibility laws when public spaces are newly constructed or redeveloped. Ongoing maintenance to the accessible parts of our public spaces will be performed as needed.

Customer Service Standards

Nemcor Inc. will make every reasonable effort to uphold the following principles:

• We will respect the dignity and independence of people with disabilities.
• We will provide our goods to people with disabilities in a way that is integrated with the way we provide our goods to other individuals unless an alternative measure is necessary to enable that person to obtain, use, and benefit from our goods.
• We will ensure that people with disabilities have an equal opportunity to obtain, use, and benefit from our goods.
• We will take into account a person’s disability when communicating with them.

People with disabilities will be permitted to use assistive devices while on the premises.

Service Animals and Support People

The Nemcor Inc. premises are not open to the public, however, invited visitors are welcome on the premises accompanied by a Nemcor Inc. employee or other Nemcor Inc. representative.

A person with disabilities may be accompanied by a guide dog or other service animal on the Nemcor Inc. premises. If a service animal is excluded by law from entering the premises, or part thereof, Nemcor Inc. will provide other support to enable the person with disabilities access.

A person with disabilities may be accompanied by a support person and will have access to the support person while on the premises.

In some cases, we may require a person with a disability to be accompanied by a support person while on the premises, but only after consulting with the person with a disability and considering available evidence to determine that this is necessary and is the only reasonable way to protect the health and safety of the person with a disability or others.

Notice of Temporary Disruptions

Nemcor Inc. will give advance notice of temporary disruptions to facilities or services that may limit a person with disabilities whenever possible. In some situations, for example in the case of unplanned temporary disruptions, advance notice may not be possible.

The notice of disruption will include the reason for the disruption, its anticipated duration, and a description of alternative facilities or services if available.

Notice will be given in the following ways:

1. A notice of the service disruption will be posted in the area where the service disruption is located.
2. Notice of the service disruption will be communicated directly to the visitor if known that they are visiting.

Customer Service Training

Customer service training will be provided to employees, volunteers, those who participate in developing our organization's policies, and those who provide goods on our behalf.

Training will include the purpose of the AODA, as well as instruction about the following:

1. How to interact and communicate with persons with various types of disability.
2. How to interact with persons with disabilities who use an assistive device or require the assistance of a guide dog or other service animal or the assistance of a support person.
3. How to use equipment or devices available on the premises or otherwise provided by Nemcor Inc. that may help with the provision of goods or facilities to a person with a disability.
4. What to do if a person with a particular type of disability is having difficulty accessing Nemcor Inc.’s goods or facilities.

Those listed above will receive training as soon as practicable, and on an ongoing basis as these policies change. Nemcor Inc. will maintain a record of the training provided which includes the date of the training and the number of individuals in attendance.

Feedback Process

Feedback is welcome on the accessibility of Nemcor Inc.’s products to people with disabilities, and the feedback process itself.

Feedback may be provided in the following ways:

• By phone
• By e-mail

Feedback will be directed to the appropriate person or department for review. In the case of complaints about the accessibility of our products, feedback will be discussed at the leadership level to identify a reasonable solution.

All feedback will be acknowledged unless it is not possible or reasonable to do so, for example, if the person who submitted the feedback wishes to remain anonymous. All responses will be sent in a timely manner. Accessible formats and communication supports are available upon request.

Format of Documents

All documents required by the Accessibility Standards for Customer Service will be provided in accessible formats or with communication supports upon request. Nemcor Inc. will consult with the requester to determine a suitable format and deliver that format in a reasonable amount of time and at no additional cost.

Accessibility Reports

Nemcor Inc. will file an accessibility report every three years.

 

Multi-Year Accessibility Plan

Purpose: The purpose of this document is to outline Nemcor Inc.’s ongoing commitment to accessibility, and to meet the requirement of Part I, Section 4: Accessibility Plans of the IASR.

Statement of Commitment

Nemcor Inc. is committed to providing a respectful and accessible environment to ensure equal access and participation for people with disabilities. We are committed to doing so in a way that allows people with disabilities to maintain their dignity and independence.

We are committed to meeting the accessibility needs of people with disabilities in a timely manner and aim to ensure that the principles of independence, dignity, integration, and equality of opportunity are at the core of our accessibility practices.

We are committed to identifying, preventing, and removing barriers to inclusion and meeting accessibility requirements under the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA), and Ontario’s accessibility laws.

This accessibility plan outlines the steps we are taking to meet those requirements and to improve opportunities for people with disabilities. Our plan shows how we will play our role in making Ontario an accessible province for all Ontarians. The plan is reviewed and updated at least once every 5 years.

General

Nemcor Inc. is committed to providing timely training on the requirements of Ontario’s accessibility laws, the Ontario Human Rights Code as it applies to people with disabilities, and our accessibility policies. Our training policy is outlined in our Accessibility Policy available on our website.

Ongoing training will be provided to all Nemcor Inc. employees, volunteers, those who participate in developing our organization's policies, and those who provide goods on our behalf.

Our training strategy will be reviewed from time to time, to ensure that we continue to prevent and remove barriers for customers, employees, and other individuals with disabilities.

Current initiatives include updating our Accessibility Policy and updating our accessibility training strategy.

Information and Communication Standards

Nemcor Inc. is committed to making our information and communications accessible to people with disabilities. Please see our Accessibility Policy for more information about this commitment.

Ongoing improvements will be made to our website to make it more accessible to people with disabilities. We will continue to strive to meet WCAG 2.0 Level AA and, in some cases, Level AAA standards.

Current initiatives include working with third-party vendors to discuss accessibility improvements for the Nemcor Inc. website.

Employment Standards

Nemcor Inc. is committed to fair and accessible employment practices. Please see our Accessibility Policy for more information about this commitment.

Ongoing improvements will be made to our recruitment and employment practices to ensure individuals are aware of the accommodations and other supports, including return to work plans, that are available to them.

Current initiatives include updating our internal accommodation process to better support applicants and employees with disabilities.

Design of Public Spaces Standards

Nemcor Inc. will meet accessibility laws when public spaces are newly constructed or redeveloped. We will take appropriate measures to prevent service disruptions to any accessible parts of our public spaces. In the event of a service disruption in a public space, we will notify the public of the service disruption and alternatives available.

There are no current plans to construct or redevelop public spaces on the Nemcor Inc. premises. Ongoing maintenance to the accessible parts of our public spaces will be performed as needed.

Customer Service Standards

Nemcor Inc. is committed to providing accessible customer service to people with disabilities. This means that we will provide our goods to people with disabilities with the same high quality and timeliness as others. Please see our Accessibility Policy for more information about this commitment.

Ongoing improvements will be made to ensure our customer service practices are consistent with the following principles:

1. We will respect the dignity and independence of people with disabilities.
2. We will provide our goods to people with disabilities in a way that is integrated with the way we provide our goods to other individuals unless an alternative measure is necessary to enable that person to obtain, use, and benefit from our goods.
3. We will ensure that people with disabilities have an equal opportunity to obtain, use, and benefit from our goods.
4. We will take into account a person’s disability when communicating with them.

Current initiatives include adding additional feedback channels to make our feedback process more accessible to people with disabilities.

For more information about this accessibility plan, please contact:

Andrea Kelly, 519-212-3523; akelly@nemcorinc.com

Standard and accessible formats of this document are free and available upon request.