Our Accessibility Action Plan

Revised August 2013

Statement of Commitment

BICR is committed to treating all people in a way that allows them to maintain their dignity and independence.

BICR believes in integration and equal opportunity. BICR is 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 Disability Act. (AODA)

Accessible Information

BICR is committed to providing the customer, employees and participants with publicly available information in an accessible format upon request, which will exceed minimum standards.

BICR fosters an environment which provides all employees full access and annual training to our emergency response plan.

Any employees who request additional information and or a specialized plan will be provide with the necessary tools, resources and assistance required.

Training

BICR will provide training and refresher training (when applicable/necessary) to employees, volunteers, board of directors members and students on Ontario's accessibility laws and on the Human Rights Code as it relates to people with disabilities.

Training will be provided in a way(s) that are most applicable to the duties of employees, volunteers and students.

BICR will take the following steps to ensure employees are provided with the training needed to meet Ontario's accessible laws by January 2015:

  • All current employees will be provided training and resources before end of year 2012
  • All new hire employees, students, board of directors members and volunteers will be provided materials /resources and information relating to AODA.

Effective 2013 - Customer Service Training

  • A variety of formats in accordance with the AODA will be provided as it relates to training and if required/necessary to meet the needs of the individual requesting and/or the audience.

New Information - Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA)

  • If mandatory training is required as it relates to AODA, BICR will review and use the best resources/tools and methods to provide all employees, students, board of directors members and volunteers the information through a variety of training methods.

Information and Communication

BICR is committed to meeting the communication needs of people with disabilities. BICR will consult with people with disabilities to determine their information and communication needs.

BICR will take the following steps to make all new websites and content on those sites conform with WCAG 2.0, Level A by January 1, 2014.

  • In 2012, BICR submitted a funding proposal to Human Resources and Skills Development Canada to request monies to fund this project. To date, a decision has not been received. If approval for funds is not received by September 1, 2013, BICR will complete the project using other resources.
  • Review agency's current website and utilize a web programmer to make changes to the site in order to conform to the standards by December 31, 2013.
  • Moving forward, any changes to the web site and/or content updates, as well as any new web sites created, will conform to the standards through consultation and development with professional web developers.

BICR will take the following steps to make/ensure existing feedback processes are accessible to people with disabilities upon request by January 1, 2015

  • BICR is in the process of ensuring that the website and all written material contains the following statement:

    Accessible Formats and Communication Supports- Special accessibility accommodations and material in alternate formats can be arranged by contacting Brain Injury Community Re-Entry (Niagara) Inc., at 905-685-7818 extension 663 or www.bicr.org. We are also interested in your comments and feedback about accessibility at BICR. Please send us your comments.

BICR will take the following steps to make sure all publicly available information is made accessible upon request by January 1, 2016.

  • BICR is in the process of ensuring that the website and all written material contains the following statement:

    Accessible Formats and Communication Supports- Special accessibility accommodations and material in alternate formats can be arranged by contacting Brain Injury Community Re-Entry (Niagara) Inc., at 905-685-7818 extension 663 or www.bicr.org. We are also interested in your comments and feedback about accessibility at BICR. Please send us your comments.

BICR will take the following steps to make all websites and content conform with WCAG 2.0, Level AA by January 1, 2021:

  • This additional requirement will be investigated and steps taken to ensure full conformity by January 1, 2021.

Employment

BICR is committed to fair and accessible employment practices. BICR will take the following steps to notify the public and staff that, when requested BICR will accommodate people with disabilities during the recruitment and assessment process and when people are hired.

  • Effective January 31, 2013 - BICR's recruitment and selection policies will have language embracing accommodation availability for recruitment, assessment and training- if requested.
  • Effective April1, 2013 - BICR will communicate new policy language to all employees currently working at BICR.
  • Effective September 30, 2013 - BICR will introduce language- training in new hire orientation
  • Effective December 31, 2013 - All internal/external postings will have language to identify accommodation opportunities.
  • Effective December 31, 2013 - All internal /external posting will be uploaded and made available on our website.

BICR will take the following steps to develop and put in place a process for developing individual accommodation plans and return to work policies for employees who have been absent due to a disability.

  • Return to early and safe work policy- developed and implemented in 2010
  • Mandatory annual health and safety training for all employees
  • Compliance with legislation under Ontario Human Rights
  • Compliance with Workplace Safety and Insurance Act
  • BICR policies 2.10 (Workplace Violence Prevention), 2.11 (Discrimination, Harassment and Sexual Harassment) & 4.8 (Early and Safe Return to Work Program) mandatory refresher training for all employees
  • Disability Specialist - point of contact for all RTW and attendance requirements

BICR will take the following steps to ensure the accessibility needs of employees with disabilities are taken into account if BICR is using performance management, career development and redeployment processes.

  • Continue to reinforce a culture with an open door philosophy
  • Continue to communicate using alternative format upon request
  • Continue to embrace growth/development in the areas of communication/information and technology to enhance full enrichment for all employees

BICR will take the following steps to prevent and remove other accessibility barriers identified:

  • Keeping up to date on all legislation pertaining to the well-being of all employees, customers and participants. When applicable and appropriate implement training and changes relating to the following legislations:
    • Ontario Human Rights
    • Employment Standards Act
    • Workplace Safety Insurance Act
    • Occupational Health and Safety Act
    • Accessibility Ontarian's Disability Act

More Information

For more information on our accessibility plan, email the Human Resources Manager or call 905-687-6788 ext. 639.