ACCESSIBILITY POLICY
Kitchen Stuff Plus is committed to providing people with disabilities the opportunity to access and benefit from the same goods, services, business partnerships, and employment as other customers, vendors, applicants, and employees. People with disabilities will have accessibility in the same manner and place, and in a similar way to others. We are committed to providing goods and services, and employing staff, in a way that respects the dignity and independence of people with disabilities.
PURPOSE
This policy and its procedures address the accessibility requirements of all applicable regulations under the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act. It is organized by the following areas of accessibility standard: customer service, information and communication, and employment practices.
This policy applies to all Kitchen Stuff Plus employees.
It is the responsibility of the management team to ensure that all employees are trained on accessibility standards and follow the guidelines set out in this policy.
DEFINITIONS
“Disability”, as per the Ontario Human Right Code, means:
- 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 forgoing, includes diabetes mellitus, epilepsy, a brain injury, any degree of paralysis, amputation, lack of physical coordination, blindness or visual impediment, deafness or hearing impediment, muteness or speech impediment, or physical reliance on a guide dog or other animal or a wheelchair or other remedial appliance or device;
- A condition of mental impairment or a developmental disability;
- A learning disability or a dysfunction in one or more of processes involved in understanding or using symbols or spoken language;
- A mental disorder;
- An injury or disability for which benefits were claimed or received under the insurance plan established under the workplace Safety and Insurance Act.
“Employees” means every person who deals with members of the public or other third parties on behalf of our company.
“Persons with Disabilities” are individuals who have a disability as defined under the Ontario Human Rights Code.
“Service Animals” are animals individually trained to do work or perform tasks for the benefit of a person with a disability.
“Support Persons” are any persons, whether a paid professional, volunteer, family member, or friend, who accompany a person with a disability in order to help with communications, personal care, medical needs, or with access to goods and services.
ACCESSIBILITY STANDARDS
Customer Service:
Kitchen Stuff Plus is committed to meeting the following requirements outlined in the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act, which states that we must:
•Treat all customers with respect.
•Distinguish the specific needs of each person.
•Remove physical and other barriers where possible.
•Allow customers to maintain their independence and dignity.
•Ensure customers with disabilities receive the same level of service and access as any other customer.
•Allow service animals into our stores.
•Allow use of assistive devices, such as wheelchairs, oxygen tanks, canes, etc.
•Offer assistance if the customer is having difficulty.
•Use alternate methods of communication (i.e. pen and paper) if the person is deaf or mute.
•Be open to feedback.
Use of Service Animals and Support Persons:
We are committed to welcoming people with disabilities who are accompanied by a service animal in the areas of our premises that are open to the public.
We will also ensure that all staff and volunteers are properly trained in how to interact with people with disabilities who are accompanied by a service animal.
We are committed to welcoming people with disabilities who are accompanied by a support person. Any person with disability who is accompanied by a support person will be allowed to enter our store premises with their support person. At no time will a person with a disability who is accompanied by a support person be prevented from having access to their support person while on premises.
Training for Employees:
Kitchen Stuff Plus will provide training on the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act to all employees, and all those who are involved in the development and approval of customer service polices, practices, and procedures.
Training completion will be tracked, and records will be maintained for audit purposes.
Training will include the following:
•The purpose of the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act and the requirements of 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 goods and services.
•Applicable staff will be trained 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.
Information and Communication:
We will communicate with people with disabilities in ways that take into account their disability.
We will train our staff who communicate with customers on how to interact and communicate with people with various types of disabilities.
We will adjust our method of communication upon request in order to accommodate the needs of people with disabilities who require a more accessible format or communication support.
We are committed to meeting and striving to exceed digital accessibility requirements and are taking steps to maintain compliance with Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) 2.0 AA standards.
Our accessibility policy and procedures will be publicly available on our website, along with our Multi-Year Accessibility Plan.
Employment Practices:
We will communicate to those participating in our recruitment and selection process that we will provide accommodation. We will communicate this throughout this process.
We will ensure that accessibility is considered in all facets of employment, including, but not limited to: career development and advancement, performance management, job modification, and return to work procedures.
We will work with employees to ensure that, when required, we have documented individualized accommodation and emergency response plans.
Feedback Process:
The goal for Kitchen Stuff Plus is to meet and surpass expectations surrounding accessibility.
Feedback regarding goods and services to people with disabilities can be made by emailing our Head Office at contactus@kitchenstuffplus.com. All feedback will be directed to the appropriate person and returned in accordance with our current service standards. Upon receipt, the designated person will investigate the matter with the appropriate personal.
Making Changes to Policy:
We are committed to developing polices 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 that does not respect and promote the dignity and independence of people with disabilities will be modified or removed.