Accessibility Policy

November 2024

Intent

This policy is developed 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 Western Fire Protection Inc. shall follow the principles of dignity, independence, integration and equal opportunity.

General Requirements

General requirements that apply across all of the five (5) standards (information and communication, employment, transportation, design of public spaces, and customer service) are outlined as follows.

Establishment of Accessibility Policies and Plans

Western Fire Protection Inc. will develop, implement and maintain policies governing how it will achieve accessibility through these requirements.

Western Fire Protection Inc. will include a statement of its commitment to meeting the accessibility needs of persons with disabilities in a timely manner in its policies. These documents will be made publicly available in an accessible format, upon request.

Western Fire Protection Inc. 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.

Western Fire Protection Inc. 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 Western Fire Protection Inc.’ accessibility plan. If requested, the report shall be created in an accessible format.

Procuring or Acquiring Goods and Services, or Facilities

Western Fire Protection Inc. will incorporate accessibility criteria and features when procuring or acquiring goods, services or facilities. The only exception is in cases where it is impracticable to do so.

Training Requirements

Western Fire Protection Inc. will provide training for its associates 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 Western Fire Protection Inc.’ policies, and all other persons who provide goods, services or facilities on behalf of Western Fire Protection Inc..

Training will be provided as soon as it is reasonably possible, but no later than 4 weeks from start of employment. Training will be provided on an ongoing basis to new associates and as changes to Western Fire Protection Inc.’ accessibility policies occur.

Recruitment, Assessment and Selection

Western Fire Protection Inc. will notify associates 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, Western Fire Protection Inc. will consult with the applicant and provide or arrange for suitable accommodation.

Successful applicants will be made aware of Western Fire Protection Inc.’ policies and supports for accommodating people with disabilities.

Public Notification

All visitors to RPS will be notified of the availability of accessible formats and communication supports through our sign-in process. For employment purposes, we will also notify candidates on job postings.

Feedback Process

RPS will ensure that the feedback processes are accessible to persons with disabilities by providing or arranging for accessible formats and communications supports, upon request, at no cost.

Clients/customers, or associates who wish to provide feedback on the goods, services, or facilities provided can through email, in writing, or verbally relate their feedback to their host. Feedback can also be made to:

Kellie Anderson, Director Human Resources
kanderson@rpscomposites.com

Anyone who provides formal feedback will receive acknowledgement of their feedback, along with any resulting actions based on concerns or complaints that were submitted, within a timely manner.

Accessible Formats and Communication Supports

Unless deemed unconvertible, Western Fire Protection Inc. 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.

Western Fire Protection Inc. 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.

Western Fire Protection Inc. will ensure that associates are aware of our policies for individuals with disabilities and any changes to these policies as they occur.

If an associate with a disability requests it, Western Fire Protection Inc. 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 associates in the workplace.

Western Fire Protection Inc. will consult with the associate making the request to determine the best way to provide the accessible format or communication support.

Accessible Websites and Web Content

Western Fire Protection Inc. will ensure that our website, and where applicable web content, conforms to the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) as outlined in the IASR, and will refer to the legislation for specific compliance deadlines and requirements.

Workplace Emergency Response Information

Where required, Western Fire Protection Inc. will create individual workplace emergency response information for associates 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 associate.

This information will be reviewed when:

• The associate moves to a different physical location in the organization;
• The associate's overall accommodation needs or plans are reviewed; and/or
• Western Fire Protection Inc. reviews general emergency response policies.

Documented Individual Accommodation Plans

Western Fire Protection Inc. must also develop and have in place written document for individual accommodation plans for associates with disabilities. The process for the development of these accommodation plans should include specific elements, including:

• The ways in which the associate can participate in the development of the plan;
• The means by which the associate is assessed on an individual basis;
• The ways that an employer 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 ways that an associate can request the participation of a representative from their bargaining agent or other representative from the workplace (if the associate is not represented by a bargaining agent) for the creation of the accommodation plan;
• The steps taken to protect the privacy of the associate 's personal information;
• The frequency with which the individual accommodation plan should be reviewed or updated and how it should be done;
• The way in which the reasons for the denial of an individual accommodation plan will be provided to the associate; and
• The means of providing the accommodation plan in an accessible format, based on the associate's accessibility needs.

The individual accommodation will also:

• Include information regarding accessible formats and communication supports upon request;
• Where needed, include individualized workplace emergency response information; and
• Outline all other accommodation provided.

Performance Management and Career Development and Advancement

Western Fire Protection Inc. will consider the accessibility needs of associates 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

Western Fire Protection Inc. will develop and implement return to work processes for associates 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 Western Fire Protection Inc. will take to facilitate the associate's return to work and shall use documented individual accommodation plans (as described in section 28 of the regulation).

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, Western Fire Protection Inc. will ensure that the individual who made the request is provided with an explanation and a summary of the information.

Western Fire Protection Inc. 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 Western Fire Protection Inc.’ current practices and legislative requirements.