Accessibility Policy

Created: February 12, 2020
Revised: January 25, 2024

Policy

Fernlea Flowersrecognizes that the Government of Ontario supports the full inclusion of persons with disabilities as set out in the Ontario Human Rights Code (the Code) and the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act, 2005 (AODA). It is the goal of the Ontario government to make Ontario accessible by 2025.

Under the AODA and its Regulations, the following accessibility standards set requirements that are applicable to Fernlea Flowers:

  • Customer Service;
  • Information and Communications;
  • Employment; and
  • Built Environment for Public Spaces.

Fernlea Flowers is committed to providing its services in a way that respects the dignity and independence of persons with disabilities. This commitment will be integrated wherever possible and will ensure that persons with disabilities will benefit from the same access to services, in the same place and in a similar way as other customers.

Fernlea Flowers is committed to excellence in serving all of our clients, including people with disabilities. When providing information to, or communicating with, a person with a disability, we will provide the information and communication in a manner that takes into account the person’s disability.

Fernlea Flowers is committed to ongoing improvements to accessibility on its premises and facilities as required by law, as well as to the services offered to customers, employees, volunteers and members of the general public.

Fernlea Flowers is committed to promoting values that support relationships between people with disabilities and the organization. Fernlea Flowers will consult with an individual experiencing difficulty with accessibility to understand his or her specific accessibility needs, and then make all reasonable efforts to meet those individual needs in a timely manner.

Fernlea Flowersis committed to the establishment, implementation, maintenance and documentation of a multi-year accessibility plan that outlines the organization’s overall strategy to prevent and remove barriers and to address the current and future requirements of the AODA and the Integrated Accessibility Standards Regulation (IASR). In accordance with the requirements set out in the IASR, Fernlea Flowers will:

  • Establish, review and update this plan in consultation with persons with disabilities;
  • Post this plan on its website (www.fernlea.com)
  • Provide this plan in an accessible format, upon request; and
  • Review and update this plan at least once every five years.

Fernlea Flowersis committed to the training of all employees, volunteers, persons who deal with customers and the public on Fernlea Flowersbehalf, and persons participating in the development and approval of Fernlea Flowers policies, practices and procedures on the requirements under the IASR and the Human Rights Code as it pertains to persons with disabilities. 

Fernlea Flowers is committed to implementing specific requirements, policies, practices and procedures, and a multi-year plan under the Integrated Standards, which include customer service, information and communication, employment, transportation and the built environment for public spaces (the transportation standard is only applicable to transportation organizations). This includes complying with reviewing these multi-year accessibility plans every five years.

Fernlea Flowers is committed to ensuring that every employee, customer, and prospective customer receives equitable access to employment or services, as applicable, without discrimination, and receives reasonable accommodation where required, in accordance with the provisions of the Code and the AODA and its Regulations.  Fernlea Flowers seeks to meet the accessibility needs of persons with disabilities in a timely manner.

Purpose

The purpose of this Statement of Policy and Procedure is to serve as a statement of organizational commitment that provides a framework within which accessibility plans and initiatives are to be created.  Fernlea Flowers is committed to moving the organization toward the goal of improved accessibility for people with disabilities in a timely manner.

The commitments in this policy are intended to ensure that accessibility remains a priority in Fernlea Flowers decision-making process and will serve to assist in ensuring that decisions improve accessibility and do not inadvertently create barriers.

Scope

This policy applies to all individuals entitled to the protections set out in the AODA and its Regulations, including customers and employees of Fernlea Flowers.

Responsibility

Managers, immediate supervisors and department heads are responsible for ensuring that all employees follow the guidelines set out in this policy.

Each manager, immediate supervisor and department head is responsible for ensuring all employees are trained under the Accessibility Regulations and Standards under the AODA, the Human Rights Code and all related policies, practices and procedures.

All employees, volunteers, contractors and subcontractors, any other person acting on behalf of Fernlea Flowers and persons involved in the creation of Fernlea Flowers policies are responsible for adhering to and following the commitments set out in this policy.

Definitions

The AODA defines “disability” as:
“Any degree of physical disability, infirmity, malformation or disfigurement that is caused by bodily injury, birth defect or illness and, without limiting the generality of the foregoing, includes diabetes mellitus, epilepsy, a brain injury, any degree of paralysis, amputation, lack of physical co-ordination, blindness or visual impediment, deafness or hearing impediment, muteness or speech impediment, or physical reliance on a guide dog or other animal or on a wheelchair or other remedial appliance or device; a condition of mental impairment or a developmental disability, a learning disability, or a dysfunction in one or more of the processes involved in understanding or using symbols or spoken language, a mental disorder, or an injury or disability for which benefits were claimed or received under the insurance plan established under the Workplace Safety and Insurance Act, 1997.”

“Dignity” means service is provided in a way that allows the individual to maintain self-respect and the respect of other persons.

“Equal opportunity” means service is provided to individuals in such a way that they have an opportunity to access goods or services equal to that given to others.

“Independence” means when a person is able to do things on their own without unnecessary help or interference from others.

“Information” includes data, facts and knowledge that exist in any format, including text, audio, digital or images, and that convey meaning.

Procedures

Fernlea Flowers will monitor and evaluate accessibility initiatives and changes to applicable legislation and/or regulations. Changes to policies, plans and initiatives will be incorporated in a timely manner as required.

If you have questions on this policy, want to provide feedback or have a complaint, contact the Human Resources Department.

Attachements

None