Accessibility Policy and Multi-Year Accessibility Plan
In compliance with Ontario Regulation 191/11 under the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act, 2005 (“AODA”)
Revision: November 29, 2022
Introduction
The Integrated Accessibility Standards Regulations (“IASR”) under the AODA require that Art History 101 Canada LP (“Art History 101”) establish, implement, maintain and document its accessibility policies and multi-year accessibility plan (the “Accessibility Plan”), which outlines Art History 101’ strategy for preventing and removing barriers for persons with disabilities and to meet our requirements under the IASR and the AODA.
The Accessibility Policy and Multi-Year Accessibility Plan will be publicly available, including in an accessible format upon request. The Accessibility Plan will be reviewed and updated, if applicable, at least once every five years.
Application
The Accessibility Policy and Multi-Year Accessibility Plan applies to all employees and customers of Art History 101 in Ontario, and, where indicated, to any independent contractors providing services on behalf of Art History 101 in Ontario. This policy reflects the company’s obligations as an employer with fewer than 50 employees in Ontario. Should that change, this document will be updated accordingly.
Our Commitment
In fulfilling our mission, Art History 101 strives to treat all individuals in a manner that allows them to maintain their dignity and independence. Art History 101 promotes integration and equal opportunity and is committed to meeting the needs of people with disabilities in a timely manner. We will seek to achieve this by preventing and removing barriers to accessibility and by meeting accessibility requirements under the AODA. This Accessibility Policy and Multi-Year Accessibility Plan sets out Art History 101’ policy on how we will achieve accessibility generally, as well as in employment, and information and communications.
Under the IASR, the following accessibility strategies set out the requirements that are applicable to Art History 101:
Training;
Information and Communication;
Employment; and
Design of Public Spaces Standards.
Accessibility Standards for Customer Service
In accordance with its customer service standard requirements under the IASR, Art History 101 is committed to providing exceptional customer service to all of its customers and clients. For more information, please refer to Art History 101’Accessible Customer Service Policy.
Accessible Emergency Information
Art History 101 is committed to providing the customers and clients with publicly available emergency information in an accessible way upon request.
Art History 101 will also provide employees with disabilities with individualized emergency response information when necessary.
Integrated Accessibility Standards Regulations (IASR)
The following sets out how Art History 101 is committed to complying with the IASR.
Training
Art History 101 is committed to providing training on the requirements of the accessibility standards referred to in the IASR and on the Human Rights Code, as it pertains to persons with disabilities.
In accordance with the IASR, Art History 101 will:
determine and ensure that appropriate training on the requirements of the IASR and on the Human Rights Code as it pertains to persons with disabilities, is provided to all employees and volunteers, all other persons providing goods and services on behalf of Art History 101 in Ontario, and persons participating in the development and approval of Art History 101’ policies;
ensure training is appropriate to the duties of the persons referenced above;
ensure that the training is provided to persons referenced above 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; and
ensure that training is provided on any changes to Art History 101’ policies on an ongoing basis.
Required Legislative Compliance: January 1, 2016
Information and Communication
Art History 101 is committed to making company information and communications accessible to persons with disabilities. Art History 101 will incorporate new accessibility requirements under the information and communication standards to ensure that its information and communications systems and platforms are accessible and are provided, upon request, in accessible formats that meet the needs of persons with disabilities.
Feedback, Accessible Formats and Communication Supports
In accordance with the IASR, Art History 101 will:
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; more broadly, 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; and notify the public about the availability of accessible formats and communication supports.
Legislative Compliance Deadline:
January 1, 2016 – feedback
January 1, 2017 – accessible formats and communication supports.
Accessible Websites and Web Content
While Art History 101 does not currently have any Ontario-based web sites, in accordance with the IASR, Art History 101 will work toward making any future Ontario-based websites and web content conform with the World Wide Consortium Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG 2.0) Level AA in the future.
Employment
Recruitment
Art History 101 is committed to fair and accessible employment recruiting practices that attract and retain employees with disabilities. This includes providing accessibility across all stages of the employment cycle. In accordance with the IASR, Art History 101 will do the following:
Recruitment General
Art History 101 will notify employees and the public of the availability of accommodation for applicants with disabilities in the recruitment process. This will include:
review and, as necessary, modification of existing recruitment policies, procedures and processes; specifying that accommodation is available for applicants with disabilities, on Art History 101’ website and on job postings; and
Recruitment, assessment and selection
Art History 101 will notify job applicants, when they are individually selected to participate in an assessment or selection process and inform them that accommodations are available upon request in relation to the materials or processes to be used in the assessment/selection process. This will include: a review and, as necessary, modification of existing recruitment policies, procedures and processes; inclusion of availability of accommodation notice as part of the script in the scheduling of an interview and/or assessment; and if a selected applicant requests an accommodation, a consultation with the applicant and arrangement for provision of suitable accommodations in a manner that takes into account the applicant’s accessibility needs due to the disability; and
Notice to Successful Applicants
When making offers of employment, Art History 101 will notify the successful applicant of its policies for accommodating employees with disabilities. This will include:
a review and, as necessary, modification of existing recruitment policies, procedures and processes; and inclusion of notification of Art History 101’ policies on accommodating employees with disabilities in offer of employment letters.
Legislative Compliance Deadline: January 1, 2017
Informing Employees of Supports and General Provision of Accessible Formats and Communications Supports
In accordance with the IASR, Art History 101 will inform all employees of policies that support employees with disabilities, including, but not limited to, policies on the provision of job accommodations that take into account an employee’s accessibility needs due to a disability. This will include:
informing current employees and new hires of Art History 101’ policies supporting employees with disabilities, including, but not limited to, policies on the provision of job accommodations that take into account an employee’s needs due to disability; providing information as soon as practicable after the new employee begins employment, specifically in the orientation process;keeping employees up to date on changes to existing policies on job accommodations with respect to disabilities; where an employee with a disability so requests it, Art History 101 will provide or arrange for provision of suitable accessible formats and communications supports for: information that is needed in order to perform the employee’s job; information that is generally available to employees in the workplace; and in meeting the obligations to provide the information that is set out above, Art History 101 will consult with the requesting employee in determining the suitability of an accessible format or communication support.
Legislative Compliance Deadline: January 1, 2017
Documented Individual Accommodation Plans/Return to Work Process
Art History 101 will incorporate new accessibility requirements under the IASR to ensure that barriers in accommodation and return to work processes are eliminated and corporate policies surrounding accommodation and return to work are followed, where applicable.
Art History 101’ existing policies and practices include steps that Art History 101 will take to accommodate employees with disabilities and to facilitate employees’ return to work after absence due to disability.
Art History 101 will review and assess existing policies to ensure that they include steps that Art History 101 will take to accommodate employees with disabilities and to facilitate employees’ return to work after absence due to disability. Art History 101 will also ensure that they include a process for the development of documented individual accommodation plans for employees with disabilities, if such plans are required.
In accordance with the provisions of the IASR, Art History 101 will ensure that the process for the development of documented individual accommodation plans includes the following elements: information regarding the manner in which the employee requesting accommodation can participate in the development of the plan; information regarding the means by which the employee is assessed on an individual basis; information regarding the manner in which Art History 101 can request an evaluation by an outside medical or other expert, at Art History 101’ expense, to assist Art History 101 in determining if and how accommodation can be achieved; steps to protect the privacy of the employee’s personal information; information regarding the frequency with which individual accommodation plans will be reviewed and updated and the manner in which this will be done; the reasons for a denial if an individual accommodation plan is denied; information regarding the means of providing the individual accommodation plan in a format that takes into account the employee’s accessibility needs;
the following will be included if individual accommodation plans are established:
any information regarding accessible formats and communication supports that have been provided for or arranged, in order to provide the employee with:
information that is needed in order to perform the employee’s job; information that is generally available to employees in the workplace; and identify any other accommodation that is to be provided to the employee. Art History 101 will ensure that the return to work process as set out in its existing policies outlines:
the steps Art History 101 will take to facilitate the employee’s return to work after a disability-related absence; the development of a written individualized return to work plan for such employees; and the use of individual accommodation plans, as discussed above, in the return to work process.
Legislative Compliance Deadline: January 1, 2017
Performance Management, Career Development and Redeployment
Art History 101 will take into account the accessibility needs of employees with disabilities, as well as individual accommodation plans: when using its performance management process in respect of employees with disabilities; when providing career development and advancement to employees with disabilities; and when redeploying employees with disabilities.
In accordance with the IASR, the Art History 101 will:
review, assess and, as necessary, modify existing policies, procedures and practices to ensure compliance with the IASR; take the accessibility needs of employees with disabilities and, as applicable, their individualized accommodation plans, into account when: assessing performance; managing career development and advancement; and redeployment is required. review, assess and, as necessary, include in performance management workshops, accessibility criteria; take into account the accessibility needs of employees with disabilities when providing career development and advancement to its employees with disabilities, including notification of the ability to provide accommodations on internal job postings; and take into account the accessibility needs of employees with disabilities when redeploying employees, including review and, as necessary, modification of employee transfer checklist.
Legislative Compliance Deadline: January 1, 2017
Design of Public Spaces
While Art History 101 has no current plans to engage in new construction or significant redevelopment of its facilities at present, Art History 101 will meet the Accessibility Standards for all built obligations should any such construction take place in the future.
Art History 101 will put procedures in place to prevent service disruption to its accessible parts of public spaces. In the event of a service disruption, Art History 101 will notify the public of the service disruption and alternatives available.
Legislative Compliance Deadline: January 1, 2018
Information and Feedback
For more information on this accessibility plan or to provide feedback, please contact the Global People Practices at:
Phone: Make a Difference Hotline (215-437-9371)
Email: [email protected]
All feedback, including complaints, will be handled as quickly as possible. We will consider your comments carefully, and you can expect to hear from us within a reasonable period of time. Please understand that some inquiries may take longer to address.
Art History 101 will be providing or arranging for accessible formats and communication supports, on request.
Accessible Customer Service Policy
Purpose
At Art History 101 Clothing Co. (“Art History 101”), we are committed to providing exceptional customer service to all of our clients. Making services accessible to persons with disabilities is an important part of this commitment to superior customer service.
We strive to provide our services in a way that respects the dignity and independence of people with disabilities. We are also committed to giving people with disabilities the same opportunity to access our services and allowing them to benefit from the same services in the same place and in a similar way as other clients.
This policy establishes our commitment to accessible customer service under the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act, 2005 and the customer service standard requirements under Ontario Regulation 191/11, The Integrated Accessibility Standards Regulations.
Application
Art History 101’s Accessible Customer Service Policy (“the Policy”) applies to all of our employees and managers, and to any third parties (e.g., contractors) who we may arrange to provide our goods and services on our behalf. This policy applies to the extent that members of the public interact with our representatives directly and are able to directly access our services, products, and premises.
Communication
When communicating with people with disabilities, we will do so in ways that take into account their disability. Accordingly, we will train any staff who communicate with clients on how to interact and communicate with people with various types of disabilities.
Assistive devices
People with disabilities are welcome to use their own personal assistive devices (e.g., white cane, wheelchair, hearing and visual aids) in order to access or use our facilities and obtain our services, to the extent that those facilities and services are made available and accessible to the general public. We will train our staff to become familiar with various assistive devices that may be used by clients with disabilities while accessing our services. We will also ensure that staff know how to use assistive devices that are available for clients on our premises.
Service animals and support persons
People with disabilities who are accompanied by a service animal are welcome on all parts of our premises that are open to the public and other third parties. Clients may keep the animal with him/her unless excluded by law, in which case, we will consider alternative measures to access to our services. Our staff and others dealing with the public on our behalf will be trained on how to interact with people with disabilities who are accompanied by a service animal.
Any person with a disability who is accompanied by a support person will be allowed to enter our facilities with his or her support person. At no time will a person with a disability who is accompanied by a support person be prevented from having access to his or her support person while on our premises.
Notice of temporary disruption
In the event of a planned or unexpected disruption in facilities or services usually used by people with disabilities, Art History 101 will post a notice about the reason for the disruption, its anticipated duration, and a description of alternative facilities or services, if available. The notice will be placed at or near the affected facility or service and/or through other means (e.g., website) where necessary.
Training for staff
We will provide training to all Art History 101 employees, all persons who are involved in the development and approval of Art History 101 policies, and all other persons who provide goods, services or facilities on behalf of Art History 101. This training will be provided shortly after staff commence their duties and/or upon changes to this Policy, practices and procedures.
Training will include the following:
The purposes of the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act, 2005 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
- How to use various assistive devices available on our premises, if any
- What to do if a person with a disability is having difficulty in accessing our facilities and services
Art History 101 policies, practices and procedures relating to the customer service standard.
Feedback process
We welcome any feedback on our goods, services, and facilities from people with disabilities. Please send your comments to the following:
Art History 101 Clothing Co.
Global People Practices (“GPP”)
7045 Frankford Avenue
Philadelphia, PA 19135
Make a Difference Hotline (215-437-9371). Alternatively, as another option you can also email GPP at: [email protected]
All feedback, including complaints, will be handled as quickly as possible. We will consider your comments carefully, and you can expect to hear from us within a reasonable period of time. Please understand that some inquiries may take longer to address.
Note: copies of documents required under the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act, 2005 are available upon request. Please notify us in advance if you require such documents in an alternative or accessible format.