Accessibility

Grand River Employment and Training Inc. ("GRETI") is committed to the objectives of the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act, 2005 ("AODA") and the Ontario Human Rights Code.

GRETI has made a commitment to be accessible for everyone who uses our services and accepts the responsibility for ensuring a safe, dignified, and welcoming environment for everyone. Providing an accessible and barrier-free environment is a shared effort, and as an organization, GRETI is committed to working with the necessary parties to make accessibility for all a reality.

GRETI will continue to provide its goods and services to persons with disabilities consistent with the core principles of independence, dignity, integration and equality of opportunity.

GRETI has formulated this accessibility policy to comply with the requirements under the AODA and Integrated Accessibility Standards ("IAS"). This policy describes the various policies and procedures developed by GRETI to achieve or continue to achieve accessibility through meeting its requirements referred to under the IAS.

GRETI is committed to excellence in servicing all customers including people with disabilities. Please refer to our Customer Service Policy for details about how GRETI will deal with the following:

• Communication and Feedback
• Assistive Devices
• Support Animals
• Support Persons
• Notice of Temporary Disruption

GRETI has developed and will maintain a Multi-Year Accessibility Plan ("Accessibility Plan") that sets out GRETI's strategy for preventing and removing accessibility barriers from its workplace. The Accessibility Plan will be reviewed and updated at least once every five years.

Please refer to the Accessibility Plan for details about how GRETI will address its obligations under AODA, including with respect to the following:

Information and Communication Standard:

• Accessible Emergency Information
• Feedback from Customers and Employees
• Accessible Formats and Communication Supports
• Emergency Procedures/Plan or Public Safety Information
• Accessible Websites & Web Content
• Kiosks

Employment Standard:

• Recruitment, assessment and selection
• Accessible formats and communication supports for employees
• Workplace emergency response information
• Documented Individual accommodation plans
• Return to work process
• Performance Management
• Career Development and Advancement
• Redeployment

Where applicable, GRETI will strive to comply with its obligations under the Design of Public Spaces Standards as applicable to a tenant of a real property.

The Transportation Standard does not pertain to GRETI at this time. Should this change in the future, GRETI will ensure it meets the requirements of these standards.

The Accessibility Plan is posted on GRETI's website. Upon request, GRETI will provide a copy of the plan in an accessible format. Please contact us using the contact information noted below.

GRETI will advise employees and the public about the availability of accommodation for applicants with disabilities.

GRETI will notify job applicants, when they are individually selected to participate further in an assessment or selection process that accommodations are available upon request in relation to the materials or processes to be used. If a selected job applicant requests accommodation relating to their participation in the hiring process, GRETI will consult with the individual and provide or arrange for the provision of suitable accommodation that takes into account the applicant's disability-related needs.

When making offers of employment, GRETI will notify successful applicants of our policies for accommodating employees with disabilities.

GRETI will ensure that the accessibility needs of employees with disabilities as well as individual accommodation plans are taken into account if GRETI is using performance management, career development, and redeployment processes.

GRETI will provide training to all of its employees and volunteers. Anyone who participates in developing the organization's policies and all other persons who provide goods, services or facilities on behalf of GRETI, will also be trained on AODA and on the Ontario Human Rights Code as it relates to people with disabilities. Training will also be included as part of orientation for all new hires. The training provided will take into consideration and be appropriate to the duties of those receiving the training.

Records of the training provided will be maintained and will include: (i) the dates on which training was provided and (ii) the details of individuals to whom training was provided.

GRETI has developed a written policy detailing the process of accommodation related to disabilities and return to work after a period of absence due to a disability. This policy also includes the process for the development of individual accommodation plans for employees with disabilities. If requested, information regarding accessible formats and communication supports provided will also be included in individual accommodation plans. Additionally, the plans will include individualized workplace emergency response information (where required and in accordance with the Workplace Emergency Response Information Standard). Plans will also identify any other accommodation that is to be provided.

Questions about this Policy

This policy exists to achieve service excellence to customers with disabilities. If anyone has a question about the policy or if the purpose of the policy is not understood, please contact us in person or by e-mail:

In Person: Kristen Smith, 16 Sunrise Court, PO Box 69, Ohsweken, ON N0A 1M0

Phone: (519) 445-2222, Ext 3113

By E-mail: kristen@gretisn.org

Accessible formats of this document are available upon request, please contact us using the contact information noted above.

Grand River Employment and Training Inc. ("GRETI") is committed to the objectives of the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act, 2005 ("AODA") and the Ontario Human Rights Code.

GRETI will continue to provide its goods and services to persons with disabilities consistent with the core principles of independence, dignity, integration and equality of opportunity.

GRETI is committed to excellence in servicing all customers including people with disabilities. GRETI has formulated this customer service policy to comply with the requirements under the AODA and its Regulations.

The policy exists to achieve service excellence to customers with disabilities. If anyone has a question about the policy or if the purpose of the policy is not understood, please contact:

Contact: Kristen Smith, HR Manager
Phone: (519) 445-2222, Ext. 3113
By email: kristen@gretisn.org

This multi-year accessibility plan ("Accessibility Plan") outlines the policies and actions that Grand River Employment and Training Inc. (referred to as "GRETI") has put in place and will maintain to prevent and remove barriers for people with disabilities, in compliance with the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act ("AODA"). The Accessibility Plan will be reviewed and updated at least once every 5 years.

GRETI is committed to the objectives of the AODA and the Ontario Human Rights Code. GRETI will continue to provide its goods and services to persons with disabilities consistent with the core principles of independence, dignity, integration and equality of opportunity.

For more detailed information on our accessibility policies, plans, and training programs, please contact the Human Resources department.

GRETI strives at all times to provide goods and services in a way that respects the dignity and independence of persons with disabilities. GRETI is also committed to giving people with disabilities the same opportunity to access our goods and services and allowing them to benefit from the same services, in the same place and in a similar way as other customers.

GRETI will continue to take the following steps to ensure it continues to meet AODA requirements:

• Provide training on accessible customer service to all new employees, volunteers, and all persons who participate in developing GRETI's policies and others who provide goods, services or facilities on behalf of GRETI.
• Review and update policies and standards regularly to ensure high quality, accessible customer service.
• Review all customer feedback and take appropriate action.
• Continue to implement service disruption protocol by posting signs to advise the public where alternate service may be obtained, while repairs to existing services are completed.

Please refer to our Customer Service Policy for more details on the above.

GRETI will continue to provide training to all employees, volunteers, and other staff members and required individuals on the requirements of the accessibility standards under the AODA and on the Human Rights Code of Ontario as it relates to people with disabilities. Training will be provided in a way that best suits the duties of employees, volunteers and other staff members.

GRETI will continue to take the following steps to ensure all required persons are provided with the training needed to continue to meet AODA requirements:

• Provide ongoing training to all employees, volunteers, and other staff members and required individuals by means of online, in-person, and self-directed materials.
• Record all training to ensure that all employees, volunteers, other staff and required individuals have received training.
• Continue to ensure our policies and training materials are made part of our orientation / on-boarding package.

GRETI is committed to providing our customers and clients with publicly available emergency information in an accessible way, upon request.

GRETI will continue to take the following steps to ensure its customers, clients and employees are provided with accessible emergency information as per the AODA requirements:

• Provide publicly available emergency procedures/plan or public safety information in an accessible format (e.g., evacuation procedures, floor plans, health and safety information).
• Provide individualized emergency response information to employees with disabilities when necessary.
• Prepare for the specific needs employees with disabilities may have in emergency situations.

When applicable, GRETI shall strive to include accessibility features where it can, in the self-service kiosks available on its premises. It will continue to include in the self-service kiosks technical features (such as colour contrast on the display screen, extra time for people to complete tasks, audio instructions, voice-activated equipment) as well as structural features (such as height and stability of the kiosk, headset jacks with volume control, specialized keypads or keyboards) to ensure compliance with the AODA requirements, where applicable.

GRETI is committed to meeting the communication needs of people with disabilities. We will consult with people with disabilities to determine their information and communication needs.

GRETI will maintain its website in compliance with the World Wide Web Consortium Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) 2.0, Level AA. We will work with our web development group as well as utilizing online accessibility validator tools to identify and address any accessibility problems.

GRETI will continue to take the following steps to ensure it continues to meet AODA requirements:

• Work with our web development group to ensure WCAG 2.0 Level AA is met as required.
• Conduct an assessment of GRETI's website and conduct testing for accessibility.

GRETI will take the following steps to ensure any feedback processes are accessible to people with disabilities:

• Encourage feedback about our accessibility, including customer service, website, and employment practices.
• Feedback can be submitted by any of the channels provided under "For More Information".
• GRETI will ensure all publicly available information is made accessible upon request.
• Post on our website that we can provide accessible information upon request.
• If a person with a disability asks for it, we will work with them to figure out how to meet their needs within a reasonable timeframe.

GRETI will continue to take the following steps to ensure its policies and information are accessible to people with disabilities upon request:

• Upon request, provide or arrange for information in accessible formats and/or provide communication supports for people with disabilities.
• Ensure that the information is provided in a timely manner, at no extra cost, and that the person making the request is consulted in order to determine the most appropriate format or support.
• Train all staff in the availability of communications in accessible formats and to whom requests should be forwarded.
• Ensure that specific people (Human Resources, Marketing, Information Technology) are aware of the importance of responding to information requests.

GRETI is committed to fair and accessible employment practices that attract and retain talented employees with disabilities.

GRETI will continue to take the following steps to ensure it continues to meet the employment standards and in accordance with its policies:

• Notify employees and public about availability of accommodation(s) for applicants in the recruitment process.
• Notify applicants who have been invited to participate in a recruitment, assessment or selection process that accommodation(s) are available.
• Notify successful applicants of policies for accommodating employees with disabilities.
• Inform all employees of all policies used to support employees with disabilities (existing employees, new hires and when there is a change to the policy).
• Provide, in an accessible format, information needed to perform the job and information which is generally available to employees in the workplace.
• Train hiring managers and monitor their success in telling prospective employees that accommodations are available throughout the interview process.

GRETI will provide individualized workplace emergency response information to employees with disabilities where the disability is such that individualized information is necessary and GRETI is aware of the need for accommodation.

Where an employee who receives individualized workplace emergency response information requires assistance, GRETI will designate a person to provide assistance and, with the employee's consent, GRETI will provide the workplace emergency response information to such person.

GRETI will review an employee's individualized workplace emergency response information, at minimum, whenever:

• The employee moves to a different location within GRETI;
• The employee's overall accommodation needs or plans are reviewed; or
• GRETI reviews its general emergency response policies.

GRETI has implemented and will maintain the processes for developing individual accommodation plans and return-to-work policies for employees that have been absent due to a disability. In this regard, GRETI will continue to:

• Work to identify those employees that require an individual accommodation plan and involve them in the development of said plan which outlines the accommodations we will provide.
• Provide plans in accessible formats or using communication supports, as required.
• Keep all individualized accommodation plan information private.
• Work in consultation with the employee with disability to ensure that the appropriate communication supports and accessible formats are utilized.

The accommodation and return to work policy implemented documents the steps GRETI will take to facilitate the return to work of employees who are away from work due to disability.

We will continue to ensure the accessibility needs of employees with disabilities as well as individual accommodation plans are taken into account if GRETI is using performance management, career development, and redeployment processes:

1. Performance plans can be provided in large print or can be read aloud to an employee with low vision.
2. Review an employee's individualized accommodation plan to understand their needs and determine whether the plan needs to be adjusted to improve his or her performance on the job.
3. Adjust the accommodation plan, with the employee's participation, to meet any new role or responsibilities in the event of a promotion or re-deployment.

GRETI will file the next accessibility report as per the stipulated timeline.

In person or by mail: HR Manager, 16 Sunrise Court, PO Box 69, Ohsweken, ON N0A 1M0

By telephone: (519) 445-2222, Ext 3113

By email: kristen@gretisn.org

Accessible formats of this document are available free upon request from the above contacts.