AODA MULTI-YEAR ACCESSIBILITY PLAN (2019-2024)

UCSH is committed to providing clients with publicly available emergency information, plans or public safety information in an accessible way upon request. This information will also be available to the public. UCSH has provided and will continue to provide employees with disabilities with individualized emergency response information when necessary, and as soon as practically possible. If an employee who receives individualized workplace emergency response information requires assistance, with the employee’s consent the workplace emergency response information will be given to the designated employee. UCSH has created a process for documenting issues of accessibility and recording and providing accommodation for individualized accessible emergency response information. UCSH will continue to review the individualized workplace emergency response plans when necessary, i.e. the location of the employee changes and/or if there is a change in disability.

UCSH has developed, implemented and maintained a multi-year plan that outlines strategies and actions to identify, prevent and remove barriers for people with disabilities. This will include:

• Policy Review takes place within the organization and its subsidiaries annually.

Accessibility and inclusion of people with disabilities is a core value for UCSH and for that reason, UCSH provides training to employees on Accessibility Standards and on the Human Rights Code as it relates to people with disabilities. Training is provided in a way that best suits the duties and needs of employees and and every person who deals with the public on behalf of UCSH, including third parties i.e. employees, agents, and management. In addition, employees may require training on one or more of the standards—information and communications, employment or transportation, as it relates to the duties and responsibilities of their position.

UCSH has taken the following steps to ensure employees are provided with the training needed to meet current standards and legislation:

• Provide educational or training resources in an accessible format that takes into account the accessibility needs of a person with a disability;

• Ensure new employees complete training within 30 days of employment or placement; and

• Keep and maintain a database of the training participant’s names and dates of completion.

• Goods or services are provided in a manner that respects the dignity and independence of persons with disabilities;

• The provision of goods or services to persons with disabilities, and others, is integrated unless an alternate measure is necessary, whether temporarily or on a permanent basis, to enable a person with a disability to obtain, use or benefit from the goods or services;

• Persons with disabilities are given an opportunity equal to that given to others to obtain, use and benefit from the goods or services;

• Persons with disabilities may use assistive devices and/or support persons in the access of goods and services;

• Persons with disabilities and their service animals are accommodated in all aspects of service provision unless the animal is otherwise excluded by law; and

• Upper Canada Specialty Hardware Ltd .employees, when communicating with a person with a disability, will do so in a manner that takes into account the person’s disability.

The following measures have been implemented by UCSH and its subsidiaries:

• The Accessible Customer Service Policy was published in our website;

• Notice will be provided on the website, over the phone, or in writing where applicable, and in accordance with the Business Recovery Plan when a Service Disruption occurs and will be done as quickly as possible if the disruption is unexpected;

• In-person training will be provided to address areas with regard to how to better interact with, and/or accommodate persons with disabilities. Employees will gain understanding of their responsibilities in creating an inclusive and accessible environment, accepting and respectful of the differences between people;

• Completion of training of all employees is tracked and recorded;

• Comments relating to our programs and services with regard to customer service are welcomed and appreciated. A process has been established to encourage feedback regarding the way UCSH provides goods and services to people with disabilities. This feedback can be made: verbally, by e-mail, by feedback card or in writing. All feedback are directed to the Operations Manager;

• A process is in place to ensure that all feedback collected from clients, staff or the general public is reviewed and analyzed to identify potential gaps in customer services, and to ensure appropriate actions are taken;

• Any person with a disability who is accompanied by a support person or by a service animal will be allowed to enter UCSH premises with their support person and service animal. At no time will a person with a disability who is accompanied by a support person or service animal be prevented from having access to his or her support person and/or service animal while on our premises; and

• Report compliance on the Accessibility Compliance Reporting tool.

UCSH has undertaken the following plans to ensure compliance with this standard:

• A feedback process has been established that is accessible, alternate formats are also available such as telephone, mail and in-person. These processes have been communicated to the public and are available on our website; and

• Our website has been designed to be user friendly for people with a range of needs. People are encouraged to contact UCSH via email or phone if they require additional information.

In accordance with the IASR, Upper Canada Specialty Hardware Ltd .has reviewed and will convert existing emergency & public safety information into a format that makes it available in accessible formats on request and in a timely manner.

UCSH has ensured all new websites and content on those sites conform to World Wide Web Consortium Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) 2.0, Level A by January 1, 2014 and conforms to WCAG 2.0, Level AA. 5

UCSH has taken the following step to ensure compliance with this standard:

• Continue to assess accessibility of existing website organization and content;

• Consult with persons requesting alternative formats; and

• Internet websites and web content conforms to WCAG 2.0 Level AA.

UCSH has taken the following steps to ensure compliance with this standard:

• Specify that accommodation is available for applicants with disabilities in recruitment with regards to interviews and assessments;

• Inform employees of policies supporting employees with disabilities. Provide this information to new employees as soon as practicable after hiring;

• Provide updated information on accommodations policies to employees when changes occur; and

• Consult with employee to determine suitability of format or support.

• Participation of the employee requiring the individual accommodation plan;

• Ability to request outside medical evaluation to determine if accommodation can be be achieved and how;

• High level of privacy;

• Reason for denial if applicable;

• The means of providing Individual Accommodation Plans in a format that takes into account the needs of the employee; and

• And if required, include individualized workplaces emergency response information.

UCSH has developed and maintained a return to work process for our employees who have been absent from work due to a disability and require disability related accommodations in order to return to work. The process includes: steps UCSH takes to facilitate the return to work process & uses the documented individual accommodation plans.

UCSH has reviewed and updated the policies and procedures to include the following elements:

• Accessibility needs of employees with disabilities, as well as individual accommodation plans are taken into account when using performance management processes;

• Accessibility needs of employees with disabilities, as well as individual accommodation plans are taken into account when providing career development and advancement opportunities; and

• Accessibility needs of employees with disabilities, as well as individual accommodation plans are taken into account when redeploying employees with disabilities.

Contact Details

Operations Manager 905-940-8358 7100 Warden Avenue, Unit #1, Markham, Ontario, L3R 8B5 generalmail@ucsh.com
www.ucsh.com

Standard and accessible formats of this document are available free upon request