Braam'sBraam'sBraam’s Custom Cabinets (Braam’s) Multi-Year Accessibility Plan (MYAP) for 2014–2021 outlines how we will continue to remove and prevent accessibility barriers to our customers and employees. This plan builds on our previous commitments to making Braam’s an accessible employer.
Canada’s and Ontario’s demographics are changing. The population is aging and the proportion of Canadians and Ontarians that have a disability is increasing. Studies have shown that within 20 years, the number of Canadian and Ontario residents that have a disability could reach as high as 20 percent (1 in 5).
As the needs of our customers and employees are always changing, Braam’s fully supports the inclusion of persons with disabilities in all its operations. In accordance with the requirements of the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act, 2005 (“AODA”) and the Ontario Human Rights Code, Braam’s strives to conduct its business in a way that is accessible, inclusive and responsive to the needs of persons with disabilities.
The purpose of this document is to describe Braam’s policies governing how we will achieve accessibility through compliance with AODA and the Integrated Accessibility Standard Regulation (“IASR”). This policy also identifies what Braam’s will do in order to achieve accessibility as a company.
Although we still have work to do to make Braam’s more accessible and inclusive, we are committed to meeting the accessibility needs of persons with disabilities in an effective and timely manner. We will do this by preventing and removing barriers for persons with disabilities. Braam’s goal is to foster an inclusive organizational culture that is guided by the principles and requirements of the AODA, the IASR and the Ontario Human Rights Code.
As owners, we are proud of our achievements to date and our ongoing commitment to show leadership as an accessible and respectful employer and service provider.
Peter Braam and Rob Braam
Owners
Braam’s Custom Cabinets
This policy is posted on Braam’s Custom Cabinets (Braam’s) website in an accessible format. Upon request, Braam’s will provide a copy of this document in an alternative accessible format. Braam’s is committed to ensuring equal access and participation for people with disabilities. We are committed to treating people with disabilities in a way that allows them to maintain their dignity and independence. We believe in integration and we are committed to meeting the needs of people with disabilities in a timely manner. We will do so by removing and preventing barriers to accessibility and meeting our accessibility requirements under the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act and Ontario’s accessibility laws.
Training
We are committed to training staff in Ontario’s accessibility laws and aspects of the Ontario Human Rights Code that relate to persons with disabilities. We will train our employees on accessibility as it relates to their specific roles.
Procurement
We will incorporate accessibility criteria and features when procuring or acquiring goods, services or facilities. If it is not possible and practical to do so, we will provide an explanation upon request.
Information and Communications
We will communicate with people with disabilities in ways that take into account their disability. When asked, we will provide information about our organization and its services, including public safety information, in accessible formats or with communication supports.
We will also meet internationally-recognized Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) 2.0 Level AA website requirements in accordance with Ontario’s accessibility laws.
Employment
We will notify employees, potential hires and the public that accommodations can be made during recruitment and hiring. We will notify staff that supports are available for those with disabilities. We will put in place a process to develop individual accommodation plans for employees.
Where needed, we will also provide customized emergency information to help an employee with a disability during an emergency.
Our performance management, career development and redeployment processes will take into account the accessibility needs of all employees
For clients and customers, an accessible Braam’s means:
1. Persons with disabilities receive quality goods and services in a timely manner.
2. Information and communications are available in accessible formats to all clients, customers, contractors and Braam’s employees
3. Persons with disabilities are able to participate fully and meaningfully
4. Braam’s employees are able to continually identify barriers to accessibility and actively
seek solutions to prevent or remove them. There is greater accessibility into, out of, and around Braam’s facilities and public areas.
For Braam’s employees and for recruiting and hiring, an accessible Braam’s means:
1. Advertising on websites or through job postings, encouraging applications from people with disabilities and informing applicants that they may ask for
accommodations for the interview or assessment
2. When a job offer is made, Braam’s will notify the successful candidate of their accommodation policies
3. The development and documentation of individualized emergency response
information for persons with disabilities and making employment practices and workplaces more accessible for new and existing employees with
disabilities.
Braam’s has developed, under the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA), a Multi-Year Accessibility Plan. Braam’s Multi-Year Accessibility Plan (MYAP) builds on our previous accomplishments and reaffirms the company’s commitment to accessibility. The MYAP will be reviewed and updated at least once every five years. The MYAP is posted on Braam’s website in an accessible format. Upon request, Braam’s will provide a copy of the MYAP in an alternative accessible format.
The 2013–2021 Braam’s MYAP was developed through research on best practices as well as guidance from industry expertise. It is organized around the following standards and general requirements of the AODA.
The five standards are:
1. Procurement
2. Training
Customer Service Standard
Achieved:
Future Commitments:
Develop a training plan to ensure that all employees receive ongoing training as well as ensure our policies and training materials are made part of our orientation package by December 31, 2016.
Review our process for taking in customer feedback to ensure that we are receiving and properly responding to customers’ concerns regarding the accessibility of our services. December 31, 2018.
All employees will contribute to the review of the customer feedback policies to ensure Braam’s is providing the best and most appropriate responses to each of our customers, in a way that allows them to maintain their dignity and independence, regardless of their disability. A formal review of the process will occur annually beginning January 1, 2021.
Information and Communications
Braam’s will communicate with people with disabilities in ways that take into account their disability. When asked, we will provide information about our organization and its services, including public safety information, in accessible formats or with communication supports.
Achieved:
Future Commitments:
Employment
The Employment Standard under the Integrated Accessibility Standard Regulation sets out accessibility requirements that Braam’s must follow to support the recruitment and accommodation of employees. This includes preparing individualized emergency response information for persons with disabilities and making employment practices and workplaces more accessible for new and existing employees with disabilities.
Achievements:
Future Commitments:
As part of its future commitment to the full participation of employees with disabilities in our workplace, Braam’s commits to:
Braam’s is committed to providing training in the requirements of Ontario’s accessibility laws and the Ontario Human Rights Code as it applies to people with disabilities. We will train our employees on accessibility as it relates to their specific roles.
Braam’s promotes principles and practices of respectful workplaces through training and resources that help create the awareness and skills to foster an environment where everyone can succeed. Our goal at Braam’s is to continue to build accessibility awareness through online courses and in-class training for employees and managers, such as training to respond to the needs of employees with an illness, injury, and/or disability.
Achievements:
All current employees have been trained on:
Future Commitments:
Braam’s will expand our training to include additional skills such as:
The Design of Public Spaces Standard under the Integrated Accessibility Standard Regulation requires that Braam’s ensure that newly-constructed or significantly renovated public spaces are accessible. Also, it is required that Braam’s comply with the Ontario Building Code’s requirements for accessibility in the current built environment.
Braam’s goal is to achieve greater accessibility into, out of and around Braam’s facilities and public spaces. This includes incorporating accessibility retrofits where possible during renovations.
Achievements:
Future Commitments:
For More Information, please email us at [email protected] or call us directly at 519-631-8138