ACCESSIBILITY
Intent
This policy is intended to meet the requirements of Accessibility Standards for Customer
Service, Ontario Regulation 429/07 (AODA) under the Accessibility for Ontarians with
Disabilities Act, 2005, and applies to the provision of goods and services to the public or other
third parties, not to the goods themselves.
All goods and services provided by Mendocino Clothing Company shall follow the principles of
dignity, independence, integration and equal opportunity.
Scope
a) This policy applies to the provision of goods and services at premises owned and
operated by Mendocino Clothing Company.
b) The section of this policy that addresses the use of guide dogs, service animals and
service dogs only applies to the provision of goods and services that take place at
premises owned and operated by Mendocino Clothing Company.
Disability
When we think of disabilities, we tend to think of people who use wheelchairs and who have
physical disabilities that are visible and obvious. But disabilities can also be invisible. We
cannot always tell who has a disability. The AODA uses the same definition of “disability” as
the Ontario Human Rights Code.
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;
a condition of mental impairment or a developmental disability;
a learning disability, or dysfunction in one or more of the 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, 1997.
AODA – Accessibility Standards for Customer Service Disruption Form
In the event of planned or unplanned service disruptions, complete the following form to record actions taken by Mendocino Clothing Company.
1. Goods or Services that are disrupted or unavailable:
2. Reason for the disruption:
3. Anticipated duration of the disruption:
AODA – Integrated Accessibility Standards Regulation (IASR)
Employment Policy January 1, 2016
Intent
This policy is intended to meet the requirements of the Integrated Accessibility Standards,
Ontario Regulation 191/11 for the Employment Standard set forth under the Accessibility for
Ontarians with Disabilities Act, 2005. This policy applies to the provision of accessible
employment services for persons with disabilities.
All employment services provided by Mendocino Clothing Company shall follow the principles of
dignity, independence, integration and equal opportunity.
Definitions
Accessible Formats – Include but are not limited to large print, recorded audio and
electronic formats, braille and other formats usable by persons with disabilities.
Communication Supports – Include but are not limited to captioning, alternative and
augmentative communication supports, plain language, sign language and other
supports that facilitate effective communications.
Performance Management – Activities related to assessing and improving employee
performance, productivity and effectiveness with the goal of facilitating employee
success.
Redeployment – The reassignment of employees to other departments or jobs within the
organization as an alternative to layoff, when a particular job or department has been
eliminated by the organization.
General Principles
In accordance with the Integrated Accessibility Standards, Ontario Regulation 191/11, this policy
addresses the following:
General Requirements
Recruitment, Assessment and Selection
Accessible Formats and Communication Supports for Employees
Workplace Emergency Response Information
Documented Individual Accommodation Plans
Performance Management and Career Development and Advancement
Return to Work
Redeployment
Review
General Requirements
General requirements that apply across all of the four (4) standards, Information and
Communications, Employment, Transportation and Design of Public Spaces, are outlined as
follows.
Establishment of Accessibility Policies and Plans January 1, 2016
Mendocino Clothing Company is committed to providing a barrier-free environment for all
stakeholders including our clients/customers, employees, job applicants, suppliers, and any
visitors who may enter our premises, access our information, or use our services. As an
organization, we respect and uphold the requirements set forth under the Accessibility for
Ontarians with Disabilities Act (2005), and its associated standards and regulations.
Mendocino Clothing Company understands that we have a responsibility for ensuring a safe,
dignified, and welcoming environment for everyone. We are committed to ensuring our
organization's compliance by incorporating accessibility legislation into our policies, procedures,
equipment requirements, training, and best practices. We will review these policies and practices
annually, as organizational changes occur, or in anticipation of compliance deadlines. In
addition, we will strive to meet the needs of individuals with disabilities in a timely and effective
manner.
Providing an accessible and barrier-free environment is a shared effort, and as an
organization, Mendocino Clothing Company is committed to working with the necessary parties
to make accessibility for all a reality.
Sincerely,
Jan Kaplan
President/CEO
Mendocino Clothing Company Ltd.
Mendocino Clothing Company will establish, implement, maintain and document a multi-year
accessibility plan outlining its strategy to prevent and remove barriers and meet its requirements
under the IASR. Accessibility plans will be made available in an accessible format, upon request,
and will be posted on our website.
Mendocino Clothing Company will review and update its accessibility plan once every five (5)
years and will establish, review and update our accessibility plans in consultation with persons
with disabilities or an advisory committee. Annual status reports will be prepared that will report
on the progress of the steps taken to implement Mendocino Clothing Company's accessibility
plan. This status report will be posted on our website. If requested, the report shall be created in
an accessible format.
Training Requirements
Mendocino Clothing Company will provide training for its employees and volunteers regarding
the IASR and the Ontario Human Rights Code as they pertain to individuals with disabilities.
Training will also be provided to individuals who are responsible for developing Mendocino
Clothing Company's policies, and all other persons who provide goods, services or facilities on
behalf of Mendocino Clothing Company.
Training will be provided as soon as is reasonably practicable, but no later than March 31,2016.
Training will be provided on an ongoing basis to new employees and as changes to Mendocino
Clothing Company's accessibility policies occur.
Records
Mendocino Clothing Company will maintain records on the training provided, when it was
provided and the number of employees that were trained.
Recruitment, Assessment and Selection
Mendocino Clothing Company will notify employees and the public about the availability of
accommodation for job applicants who have disabilities. Applicants will be informed that these
accommodations are available, upon request, for the interview process and for other candidate
selection methods. Where an accommodation is requested, Mendocino Clothing Company will
consult with the applicant and provide or arrange for suitable accommodation.
Successful applicants will be made aware of Mendocino Clothing Company's policies and
supports for accommodating people with disabilities.
Accessible Formats and Communication Supports for Employees
Mendocino Clothing Company will ensure that employees are aware of our policies for
employees with disabilities and any changes to these policies as they occur.
If an employee with a disability requests it, Mendocino Clothing Company will provide or arrange
for the provision of accessible formats and communication supports for the following:
Information needed in order to perform his/her job; and
Information that is generally available to all employees in the workplace.
Mendocino Clothing Company will consult with the employee making the request to determine
the best way to provide the accessible format or communication support.
Workplace Emergency Response Information
Where required, Mendocino Clothing Company will create individual workplace emergency
response information for employees with disabilities. This information will take into account the
unique challenges created by the individual's disability and the physical nature of the workplace,
and will be created in consultation with the employee.
This information will be reviewed when:
The employee moves to a different physical location in the organization;
The employee's overall accommodation needs or plans are reviewed; and/or
Mendocino Clothing Company reviews general emergency response policies.
Documented Individual Accommodation Plans
Mendocino Clothing Company must also develop and have in place written processes for
documenting individual accommodation plans for employees with disabilities. The process for
the development of these accommodation plans should include specific elements, including:
The ways in which the employee can participate in the development of the plan;
The means by which the employee is assessed on an individual basis;
The ways that an employee can request an evaluation by an outside medical expert, or
other experts (at the employer's expense) to determine if accommodation can be
achieved, or how it can be achieved;
The steps taken to protect the privacy of the employee's personal information;
The frequency with which the individual accommodation plan should be reviewed or
updated and how it should be done; and
The means of providing the accommodation plan in an accessible format, based on the
employee's accessibility needs.
Performance Management and Career Development and Advancement
Mendocino Clothing Company will consider the accessibility needs of employees with disabilities
when implementing performance management processes, or when offering career development
or advancement opportunities.
Individual accommodation plans will be consulted, as required.
Return to Work
Mendocino Clothing Company will develop and implement return to work processes for
employees who are absent from work due to a disability and require disability-related
accommodation(s) in order to return to work.
The return to work process will outline the steps Mendocino Clothing Company will take to
facilitate the employee's return to work and shall use documented individual accommodation
plans (as described in section 28 of the regulation).
Redeployment
The accessibility needs of employees with disabilities will be taken into account in the event of
redeployment.
Individual accommodation plans will be consulted, as required.
Review
This policy will be reviewed regularly to ensure that it is reflective of Mendocino Clothing
Company's current practices as well as legislative requirements.
AODA – Integrated Accessibility Standards Regulation (IASR)
Information and Communications Policy January 1, 2016
Intent
This policy is intended to meet the requirements of the Integrated Accessibility Standards,
Ontario Regulation 191/11 for the Information and Communications Standard set forth under the
Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act, 2005. This policy applies to the provision of
information and communications services and materials for people with disabilities.
All information and communications materials and services provided by Mendocino Clothing
Company shall follow the principles of dignity, independence, integration and equal opportunity.
Definitions
Accessible Formats – Include but are not limited to large print, recorded audio and
electronic formats, braille and other formats usable by persons with disabilities.
Communication Supports – Include but are not limited to captioning, alternative and
augmentative communication supports, plain language, sign language and other
supports that facilitate effective communications.
Conversion Ready– An electronic or digital format that facilitates conversion into an
acceptable format.
General Principles
In accordance with the Integrated Accessibility Standards, Ontario Regulation 191/11, this policy
addresses the following:
General Requirements
Feedback Process
Accessible Formats and Communication Supports
Emergency Procedures, Plans or Public Safety Information
Accessible Websites and Web Content
Exceptions
Review
General Requirements
General requirements that apply across all of the four (4) standards, Information and
Communications, Employment, Transportation and Design of Public Spaces, are outlined as
follows.
Establishment of Accessibility Policies and Plans January 1, 2106
Mendocino Clothing Company is committed to providing a barrier-free environment for
all stakeholders including our clients/customers, employees, job applicants, suppliers,
and any visitors who may enter our premises, access our information, or use our
services. As an organization, we respect and uphold the requirements set forth under
the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (2005), and its associated standards
and regulations.
Mendocino Clothing Company understands that we have a responsibility for ensuring a
safe, dignified, and welcoming environment for everyone. We are committed to ensuring
our organization's compliance by incorporating accessibility legislation into our policies,
procedures, equipment requirements, training, and best practices. We will review these
policies and practices annually, as organizational changes occur, or in anticipation of
compliance deadlines. In addition, we will strive to meet the needs of individuals with
disabilities in a timely and effective manner.
Providing an accessible and barrier-free environment is a shared effort, and as an
organization, Mendocino Clothing Company is committed to working with the necessary
parties to make accessibility for all a reality.
Sincerely,
Jan Kaplan
President/CEO
Mendocino Clothing Company Ltd.
Mendocino Clothing Company will establish, implement, maintain and document a multi-year
accessibility plan outlining its strategy to prevent and remove barriers and meet its requirements
under the IASR. Accessibility plans will be made available in an accessible format, upon request,
and will be posted on our website.
Mendocino Clothing Company will review and update its accessibility plan once every five (5)
years and will establish, review and update our accessibility plans in consultation with persons
with disabilities or an advisory committee. Annual status reports will be prepared that will report
on the progress of the steps taken to implement Mendocino Clothing Company's accessibility
plan. This status report will be posted on our website. If requested, the report shall be created in
an accessible format.
Training Requirements
Mendocino Clothing Company will provide training for its employees and volunteers regarding
the IASR and the Ontario Human Rights Code as they pertain to individuals with disabilities.
Training will also be provided to individuals who are responsible for developing Mendocino
Clothing Company's policies, and all other persons who provide goods, services or facilities on
behalf of Mendocino Clothing Company.
Training will be provided as soon as is reasonably practicable, but no later than March 31, 2016.
Training will be provided on an ongoing basis to new employees and as changes to Mendocino
Clothing Company's accessibility policies occur.
Records
Mendocino Clothing Company will maintain records on the training provided, when it was
provided and the number of employees that were trained.
Feedback Process
Mendocino Clothing Company will ensure that all feedback processes (both internal and
external) are made accessible to clients/customers or employees, upon request.
In accordance with the Accessibility Standards for Customer Service, Ontario Regulation 429/07,
Mendocino Clothing Company will make the availability of accessible feedback formats publicly
known.
Accessible Formats and Communication Supports
Unless deemed unconvertible Mendocino Clothing Company will provide or arrange for the
provision of accessible formats and communication supports for persons with disabilities, upon
request. Accessible formats and communication supports will be provided in a timely manner
and at no additional cost to the individual.
Mendocino Clothing Company will take into account the person's accessibility needs when
customizing individual requests and shall consult with the individual making the request to
ensure suitability.
Mendocino Clothing Company will make the availability of accessible formats and
communication supports publicly known.
Emergency Procedures, Plans or Public Safety Information
Mendocino Clothing Company will ensure that all publicly available safety and emergency
information (e.g. evacuation procedures, floor plans etc.) is provided in an accessible format or
with appropriate communication supports, upon request.
Accessible Websites and Web Content
Mendocino Clothing Company will ensure that our website and all web content published after
January 1, 2012, conform to the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) 2.0 in
accordance with the schedule set out in the IASR.
Records
Mendocino Clothing Company will maintain a record of all training provided. Training will include
the dates on which training was provided and the number of people that were trained.
Exceptions
The Information and Communications Standard does not apply to:
Products and product labels;
Unconvertible information or communications; or
Information that the organization does not control either directly or indirectly through a
contractual relationship.
Unconvertible Information or Communications
If it is determined, in consultation with the requesting party, that information or communications
are unconvertible, Mendocino Clothing Company will ensure that the individual who made the
request is provided with an explanation and a summary of the information.
Mendocino Clothing Company will classify information or communications as unconvertible
where:
It is not technically practicable to convert; or
The technology required to make the conversion is not readily available.
Review
This policy will be reviewed regularly to ensure that it is reflective of Mendocino Clothing Company's
current practices and legislative requirements.
AODA – Multi-Year Accessibility Plan for the Integrated Accessibility Standards Regulation (IASR)
Intent
*Small (1-49 employees) private and not-for-profit organizations are not required to prepare multi-year accessibility plans*
This 2012 to 2021 accessibility plan outlines the policies and actions that Mendocino Clothing Company will put in place to improve opportunities for people with disabilities in accordance with the requirements communicated under the Integrated Accessibility Standards, Ontario Regulation 191/11.
Statement of Commitment
*Only required by legislation for public sector, private, and not-for-profit organizations with 50+ employees*
Mendocino Clothing Company believes in equal opportunity and is committed to providing a barrier-free environment that allows all people to maintain their independence and dignity. As an organization, we respect and uphold the requirements set forth under the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (2005) and its associated Regulations and strive to meet the needs of individuals with disabilities in a timely and effective manner. click for details.
Customer Service Feedback Form
Thank you for visiting Mendocino We value all of our customers and strive to meet everyone’s needs.
Please tell us the date and location of your visit:
Date: Location: _
1. Were you satisfied with the customer service we provided you?
1. Yes
2. No
3. Somewhat
Comments
2. Was our customer service provided to you in an accessible manner?
1. Yes
2. No
3. Somewhat
Comments
3. Did you experience any problems accessing our goods and services?
1. Yes
2. No
3. Somewhat
Comments
Contact Information (optional)
Name: ________________________ Phone Number: __________
Email:____________________________
Additional feedback may be submitted to 416-847-0590 Ext#28 or in writing to
Mendocino, 496 Gilbert, Toronto, Ont., M6E 4X5 January 1, 2016