Updated June 15th, 2021
ACCESSIBILITY FOR PERSONS WITH DISABILITIES
WHAT IS IT?
In compliance with the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act, 2005, the purpose of this policy is to outline responsibilities of staff personnel (employees, volunteers and other third parties) on behalf of MJardin Canada in providing goods, services and opportunities to people with disabilities.
DOES THIS POLICY APPLY TO EVERYONE?
Yes. This policy applies to all employees, whether full time, part time, seasonal or contract, who deal with clients, members of the public or other third parties on behalf of MJardin.
WHAT ARE THE CORE PRINCIPLES OF THIS POLICY?
By training our employees, we endeavor to ensure that the Policy and related practices and procedures are consistent with the following four (4) core principles:
Dignity - Persons with a disability must be treated as valued persons as deserving of service as any other person.
Equal Opportunity - Persons with a disability must have an opportunity equal to that given to others to obtain, use and benefit from our services.
Integration - Wherever possible, persons with a disability should benefit from our services in the same place and in the same or similar manner as any other customer. In circumstances where integration does not serve the needs of the person with a disability, services will, to the extent possible, be provided in another way that takes into account the person’s individual needs.
Independence – Services must be provided in a way that respects the independence of persons with a disability.
HOW IS THE POLICY IMPLEMENTED?
We are committed to excellence in serving all persons including people with disabilities, and we are dedicated to providing accessible services in the following categories to assist all current and future employees & customers to access services at MJardin:
ASSISTIVE DEVICES
Assistive devices are used to assist people with disabilities in performing a particular task or tasks or to aid in activities of daily living.
Persons with a disability are permitted, where possible, to use their own assistive device when on our premises for the purposes of obtaining, using or benefiting from our services. If there is a physical, technological or other type of barrier that prevents the use of an assistive device on our premises we will endeavour to remove that barrier.
We will ensure that our employees are trained and familiar with various assistive devices that may be used by persons with disabilities while working or accessing our services.
COMMUNICATION
We will communicate with people with disabilities in ways that take into account their disability. We will train employees who communicate with customers and partner agencies on how to interact and communicate with people with various types of disabilities.
SERVICE ANIMALS
We welcome people with disabilities and their service animals.
An animal is a service animal for a person with a disability if:
a) it is readily apparent that the animal is used by the person for reasons relating to his or her disability; and
b) the person provides a letter from a physician or nurse confirming that the person requires the animal for reasons relating to the disability.
Persons with a disability may enter premises owned and/or operated by MJardin if:
a) they are accompanied by a service animal, and shall keep the service animal with them; and
b) the service animal is not otherwise excluded by law (for example, in areas of food preparation and plant grow areas).
If a service animal must be excluded, we will explain to the individual why this is the case and explore alternative ways to meet the individual’s needs.
MJardin provides its employees with training on how to interact with persons with a disability accompanied by a service animal.
SUPPORT PERSONS
A person who accompanies a person with a disability to assist with communication, mobility, personal care or medical needs or with access to goods or services is called a support person.
A person with a disability may enter premises owned and/or operated by MJardin with a support person and have access to the support person while on the premises.
MJardin provides its employees with training on how to interact with persons with a disability who are accompanied by a support person.
NOTICE OF TEMPORARY DISRUPTION
In the event of a planned or unexpected disruption to services and/or the service locations for people with disabilities, MJardin will notify all persons 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 placed at the location where the disruption is occurring.
TRAINING FOR EMPLOYEES
MJardin provides training to all employees who provide services on MJardin’s behalf. Where applicable, Contracted parties who provide services to the public and other third parties on MJardin’s behalf are required to provide confirmation of their training regarding the Act as well.
MJardin provides training to new employees as soon as practicable after their start date, and employees will also be trained when changes are made to this accessible customer service plan.
FEEDBACK PROCESS
MJardin welcomes and appreciates feedback regarding this policy and its implementation.
Persons who wish to provide feedback on the way MJardin provides services to people with disabilities may do so in the following ways:
In person at any of our facilities
In person at 1 Toronto Street, Toronto, Ontario, Suite 801
By telephone at (416) 309-2077 x104. Ask for the Director, Human Resources
In writing to: Director, Human Resources, MJardin, 1 Toronto Street, Suite 801 Toronto, Ontario M5C 2V6
Electronically by sending an email to: info@mjardin.com
All feedback will be directed to the Human Resources Director or the SVP, Corporate Operations. Those who provide feedback may expect to receive a response, provided that the feedback has not been given anonymously and that contact information has been provided.