Circular Economy Month, powered by Recycling Congress of Ontario (“Circular Innovation Council”), is committed to meeting its current and ongoing obligations under the Ontario Human Rights Code respecting non-discrimination.
Circular Innovation Council is committed to creating and maintaining an accessible environment for all employees, members and visitors and to meeting the objectives and requirements outlined in the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act, 2005 (the “AODA”).
The AODA and its regulations establish standards to address barriers that people with disabilities face in the areas of information and communications, customer service, and employment. Circular Innovation Council understands that obligations under the AODA and its accessibility standards do not substitute or limit its obligations under the Ontario Human Rights Code or obligations to people with disabilities under any other law. Circular Innovation Council is committed to complying with both the Ontario Human Rights Code and the AODA.
Information and Communication Standard
Circular Innovation Council is committed to making Circular Innovation Council information and feedback processes accessible to people with disabilities. In order to achieve this:
- information will be made available in accessible formats, on request. Alternative formats will be provided in a timely manner;
- Circular Innovation Council will consult with the person making the request to determine the suitability of an accessible format or communication support;
- Circular Innovation Council has flexibility to determine the most appropriate accessible format or communication support, given the needs of the person making the request and the Circular Innovation Council’s ability to deliver; and
- if the information cannot be converted, the Accessibility Co-ordinator will explain why the Circular Innovation Council is unable to do so and provide a summary of the content.
Training
Circular Innovation Council provides training on the Accessible Customer Service Standard and the AODA requirements to all employees and volunteers, including those who work with the public or other third parties or who are involved in the development of customer service policies. Training will be provided as part of the new hire orientation process and in a way that best suits the duties of the Circular Innovation Council and will be refreshed where there are changes to the policies. Training will take place as soon as is practicable.
Employment Standard
Circular Innovation Council is committed to making Circular Innovation Council information and feedback processes accessible to people with disabilities. In order to achieve this:
Circular Innovation Council is committed to fair and accessible employment practices. We will take reasonable steps to implement the following:
- Circular Innovation Council will notify the public and staff that, when requested, it will accommodate individuals with disabilities during the recruitment and assessment processes and when they are hired;
- Circular Innovation Council will develop and put in place a process for developing individual accommodation plans for employees with disabilities; and
- Circular Innovation Council will ensure the accessibility needs of employees with disabilities are taken into account if using performance management, career development and advancement, or redeployment processes.
Circular Innovation Council will also take reasonable steps to prevent and remove other accessibility barriers that are identified.
Accessible Customer Service Standard
Circular Innovation Council is committed to excellence in serving all customers including people with disabilities. Our accessible customer service policies are consistent with the principles of independence, dignity, integration and equality of opportunity for people with disabilities.
Assistive devices
People with disabilities may use their personal assistive devices when accessing our goods, services or facilities. An assistive device is any device used to replace, compensate for, or improve the functional abilities of people with disabilities. Assistive devices include a broad range of items such as mobility and visual/hearing aids, orthotics/prosthetics, speech devices, medical supplies, environmental controls, and respiratory devices.
We will ensure that our staff are trained and familiar with various assistive devices we have on site or that we provide that may be used by customers with disabilities while accessing our goods, services or facilities.
Communication
We will communicate with people with disabilities in ways that take into account their disability. We will work with the person with a disability to determine what method of communication works for them.
Service animals
We welcome people with disabilities and their service animals. Service animals are allowed on the parts of our premises that are open to the public. A service animal is an animal, including a guide dog, for a person with a disability, if it is readily apparent that the animal is used by the person for reasons relating to his or her disability from; or if the person provides a letter a physician or nurse confirming that the person requires the animal for reasons relating to the disability.
When we cannot easily identify that an animal is a service animal, our staff may ask a person to provide documentation (template, letter or form) from a regulated health professional that confirms the person needs the service animal for reasons relating to their disability.
A service animal can be easily identified through visual indicators, such as when it wears a harness or a vest, or when it helps the person perform certain tasks.
Support persons
In relation to a person with a disability, another person who accompanies a person with a disability in order to help with communication, mobility, personal care or medical needs, or with access to goods or services. A person with a disability who is accompanied by a support person will be allowed to have that person accompany them on our premises if the public or third parties have access to the premises.
Notice of temporary disruption
In the event of a planned or unexpected disruption to services or facilities for customers with disabilities Circular Innovation Council will notify customers promptly. This clearly posted notice will include information about the reason for the disruption, its anticipated length of time, and a description of alternative facilities or services, if available.
The notice will be posted in a conspicuous place on the premises, on Circular Innovation Council’s website, or by another reasonable method.
Training
Circular Innovation Council will provide accessible customer service training to every person who deal with members of the public or other third parties on behalf of Circular Innovation Council, including employees and volunteers, and anyone involved in developing our policies.
Training will include:
- purpose of the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act, 2005 and the requirements of the customer service standard
- Circular Innovation Council’s policies related to the customer service standard
- how to interact and communicate with people with various types of disabilities
- how to interact with people with disabilities who use an assistive device or require the assistance of a service animal or a support person
- what to do if a person with a disability is having difficulty in accessing Circular Innovation Council’s goods, services or facilities
Feedback process
Circular Innovation Council welcomes feedback on how we provide accessible customer service. Customer feedback will help us identify barriers and respond to concerns.
Customers will be notified of how to provide feedback by the posting of this policy on Circular Innovation Council’s website and upon request when made in writing, by telephone, or by email.
Customers who wish to provide feedback on the way Circular Innovation Council provides goods, services or facilities to people with disabilities can provide feedback in the following way(s):
- (a) in writing delivered to Circular Innovation Council at PO Box 6 Toronto, ON, M5C 2H8
- (b) by telephone at 888.501.9637
- (c) by email to info@circularinnovation.ca
Circular Innovation Council will make sure our feedback process is accessible to people with disabilities by providing or arranging for accessible formats and communication supports, on request.
Notice of availability of documents
Circular Innovation Council will notify the public that documents related to accessible customer service, are available upon request by posting this policy on Circular Innovation Council’s website and upon request when made in writing, by telephone, or by email.
Circular Innovation Council will provide this document 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.
Modifications to this or other policies
Any policies of Circular Innovation Council that do not respect and promote the principles of dignity, independence, integration and equal opportunity for people with disabilities will be modified or removed.