Multi-Year Accessibility Plan
Introduction and statement of commitment (“AODA”)
Abrams Towing is committed to treating all people in way that allows them to maintain their dignity and independence. We believe in integration and equal opportunity. We are committed to meeting the needs of people with disabilities in a timely manner, and will do so by preventing and removing barriers to accessibility and meeting accessibility requirements under the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (“AODA”).
This 2021-2025 Accessibility Plan outlines the policies and actions that Abrams will put in place to improve opportunities for people with disabilities.
In accordance with the requirements set out in AODA’s Integrated Accessibility Standards Regulations (the “IASRs”), Abrams will:
- Establish, review and update this plan in consultation with persons with disabilities;
- Post this plan on the company website;
- Report, as required, the progress of the implementation of this plan;
- Provide this plan in an accessible format, upon request; and
- Review and update this plan at least once every five (5) years.
Accessibility standards for customer service
Commitment:
Abrams is committed to excellence in serving all customers, including persons with disabilities, and it will carry out its functions in a manner which delivers an accessible customer service experience.
Abrams is committed to providing its goods and services in a way that respects the dignity and independence of persons with disabilities. This commitment will be integrated wherever possible and will ensure that persons with disabilities will benefit from the same high quality service, and timeliness as all other customers.
Action taken:
The following measures have been implemented by Abrams:
- Ensuring all persons who, on behalf of Abrams deal with the public are trained to communicate and provide the best possible customer service to all customers, including persons with disabilities.
- Ensuring all staff are trained and familiar with various assistive devices that may be used by customers with disabilities who are accessing Abrams Services.
- Ensuring completion of accessibility training is tracked and recorded.
- Ensuring customers and other third parties who are accompanied by service animals or support persons are accommodated.
- Providing customers with prompt notification of any disruption to our services or Notices will be posted in accessible formats in public entrances where customers access Abrams’ services with information regarding the reason for the disruption, its anticipated duration and a description of alternative facilities and services, if available. Depending on the nature of the disruption, Abrams will also use other accessible communication channels, such as messages on the website and recorded messages customers can listen to when they call any of the Abrams locations.
- Welcoming customer feedback to improve the accessibility of products and services through multiple communications channels.
Workplace emergency response information
Commitment:
Where Abrams is aware that an employee has disability and that there is a need for accommodation, individualized workplace emergency response information be provided to the employee as soon as practicable if such information is necessary given the nature of the employee’s disability.
The following measures have been implemented by Abrams:
- Individualized workplace emergency response information procedures have been developed for employees with disabilities, as required.
- Workplace Emergency Response Information forms have been prepared for employees who have disclosed a disability and who are being accommodated according to their disabilities.
- Where required, Abrams provides assistance to specific employees with a disability, with the employee with the disabilities prior consent, to help them evacuate the workplace in case of an emergency or These plans for providing assistance have been set out in individualized emergency plan for employees.
- These individualized emergency plans have been communicated to the employees’ respective managers and Safety personnel, on an ‘as needed’ basis.
- These individualized emergency plans have been reviewed on an ‘as needed’ basis.
- On an ongoing and regular basis, and as per the applicable terms of the IASRs, Abrams will review and assess general workplace emergency response procedures and individualized emergency plans to ensure accessibility issues are addressed.
Training
Commitment:
Abrams will provide training to employees on Ontario’s accessibility laws and on the Ontario Human Rights Code as it relates to people with disabilities. Training will be provided in away that best suits the duties of the employees.
Abrams will take the following steps to ensure employees are provided with the training needed to meet Ontario’s accessibility laws by 2025:
- Determine and ensure that appropriate training on the requirements of the IASRs and on the Ontario Human Rights Code as it pertains to persons with disabilities, is provided to all staff.
- Incorporate the training into the employee orientation process for new employees and take steps to ensure that the training is provided to existing staff as soon as practicable.
- Keep and maintain a record of the training provided, including the dates that the training was provided and the number of individuals to whom it was provided.
- Ensure that training is provided, on an ongoing basis, as it relates to any policies that have been revised pursuant to AODA.
STATUS: Completed and ongoing as required Information and communication standards Commitment:
Abrams is committed to making our information and communications accessible to people with disabilities. Abrams has and will continue to incorporate new accessibility requirements under the information and communication standards to ensure that its information and communication systems are accessible and are provided in accessible formats that meet the needs of people with disabilities.
1. Feedback, accessible formats and communication supports
All of Abrams processes for receiving and responding to feedback shall ensure that the processes are accessible to persons with disabilities by providing or arranging for the provision of accessible formats and communication supports, upon request.
Customer feedback processes allow for multiple types of communication such as email, telephone, or regular mail.
Abrams will take the following steps:
- to ensure existing feedback processes are accessible to people with disabilities upon request by January 1, 2025;
STATUS: Completed
- to make sure all publicly available information is made accessible upon request by January 1, 2025: STATUS: Completed
- Ensure that existing and new processes for receiving and responding to feedback are accessible to persons with disabilities by providing or arranging for the provision of accessible formats and communication supports, upon request and in a timely manner.
- As a general principle where accessible formats and communication supports for persons with disabilities are requested:
- Provide or arrange for the provision of such accessible formats and communication supports.
- Consult with the person making the request to determine the suitability of the accessible format or communication support.
- Provide or arrange for the provision of accessible formats and communication supports in a timely manner that takes into account the person’s accessibility needs due to disability, and at a cost no more than the regular cost charged to other persons.
- Notify the public about the availability of accessible formats and communication supports.
STATUS: Completed and ongoing
2. Accessible websites and web content
Action taken:
Abrams has taken the following steps to make all new websites and content on those sites conform with WCAG 2.0, Level A:
- Abrams websites are assessed and evaluated for accessibility to ensure conformance with WCAG 2.0 Level A.
- AODA compliance will be included as one of the criteria in selecting technology vendors for new website development initiatives.
Abrams will take the following steps to make all websites and content conform with WCAG 2.0, Level AA by January 1, 2024:
- Ensure development of all new websites meet and comply with WCAG 0 Level
- Re-write all new content not subject to exceptions to comply with WCAG 0 Level AA.
- Conduct accessibility reviews of all web sites prior to launch.
- Expand corporate awareness of requirements for compliance with Information and Communication Standards of AODA.
STATUS: Completed
Continue to update as required
Employment
Commitment:
Abrams is committed to fair and accessible employment practices across all stages of the employment cycle. Abrams will take the necessary steps to meet the requirements of the IASRs by January 1, 2025 relating to recruitment, individual accommodation plans and return to work process performance management and career development.
Abrams will notify its employees and the public about the availability of accommodation for applicants with disabilities in its recruitment processes
Recruitment:
- Abrams will notify all successful candidates about the availability for accommodation throughout the full cycle recruitment process.
- All internal and external job postings have been updated to include the terms “Accommodations are available to applicants with disabilities, upon request”.
- Email sent out to candidates during the interview confirmation process regarding their in-person interview will state that accommodations are available upon request, in relation to the materials or processes to be used.
- If a candidate requests an accommodation, Abrams will consult with the candidate to understand and take into account their needs, so that Abrams can provide reasonable accommodations that are effective.
STATUS: Completed and ongoing as required
Offers of Employment:
- Successful job applicants are made aware of the availability of accommodations in their offer letter.
- New and existing employees are also made aware of our AODA policies and any other policy regarding accommodation in the Abrams Handbook and are required to signoff on this policy.
- All new staff are trained upon hire
- Human resources will inform employees of accessibility procedures and availability of accommodations.
STATUS: Completed and ongoing as required
Accessible Formats and Communication Supports
Upon request, Abrams provides or arranges for the provision of accessible formats and/or communication supports to employees with disabilities for information needed to perform the employee’s job and information generally available to employees in Abrams workplace. Abrams consults with the requesting employee to determine suitability of the format or support.
Design of Public spaces
Commitment:
- The Design of Public Spaces Standard under the Integrated Accessibility Standard Regulation requires Ontario Creates to ensure that newly-constructed or significantly renovated public spaces such as waiting areas and service counters are accessible to people with disabilities.
- Abrams is committed to following the standard if/when Abrams partakes in construction after Jan 1, 2017, when the standard became a requirement
- For our impound lots, Abrams will consider height reception counter and low rise shelving for printed materials when any new construction is Abrams consider accessibility in design features (e.g. signage, colour, materials selection, etc.).
- Any off-street parking that is newly constructed or redeveloped will meet the requirements of the Standards, including access aisles and a minimum number of spaces for use of persons with disabilities.
- We will ensure that accessibility is considered in leases, lease renewals and relevant renovation projects.
Feedback
For more information on this Accessibility Plan, please contact:
Human Resources
93 Toro Road
North York, ON
M3J 2A4
hr@abams.ca
