ACCESSIBILITY

What is a Disability?

A disability, as defined by the AODA, includes any degree of physical disability, infirmity, malformation or disfigurement, conditions of mental impairment or developmental disabilities, learning disabilities, mental disorders, and injury or disability for which benefits were claimed or received under the Workplace Safety & Insurance Act, 1997. Disabilities may be visible or invisible. They may be continuous, intermittent or temporary and can vary in severity. Information about a person’s disability is personal so must be treated with privacy and confidentiality.

ASSISTIVE DEVICES

Our Customer Service Policy is offered in accessible format if requested.

The following accessible services are not available at Shah Trading Co. Ltd.:

• Assistive devices – wheelchairs, walkers, oxygen tanks.

COMMUNICATION

We will communicate with people with disabilities in ways that take into account their disability.

SERVICE ANIMALS

We welcome people with disabilities and their service animals. Documentation from a regulated health professional must be provided confirming a service animal is required for reasons relating to their disability.  Service animals are allowed on our premises that are open to the public, i.e. office area.

SUPPORT PERSONS

A person with a disability who is accompanied by a support person will be allowed to have that person accompany them on Shah Trading Co. Ltd. premises.

NOTICE OF TEMPORARY DISRUPTION

In the event of a planned or unexpected disruption to services or facilities for customers with disabilities Shah Trading Co. Ltd. will notify customers promptly by phone followed by email. A clearly posted notice will be posted in regards to the particular situation as to the reason for the disruption, its anticipated length of time, and a description of alternative facilities or services, if available.

SERVICES/FACILITIES INCLUDE:

Shah Trading Co. Ltd. facilities, includes Wheelchair ramp accessibility to the main entrance of the building.

TRAINING

Shah Trading Co. Ltd. will provide accessible customer service training to all employees and others who deal with the public or other third parties on our behalf. Training will also be provided to people involved in the development of policies, plans, practices and procedures related to the provision of our goods and services.

TRAINING WILL INCLUDE:

• An overview of the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act, 2005 and the Requirements of the customer service standard.
• How to interact and communicate with people with various types of disabilities
• How to interact with people with disabilities who use an assistive device or require the assistance of a service animal or a support person
• How to use the equipment or devices available on-site or otherwise that may help with providing goods or services to people with disabilities.

These Include:

• What to do if a person with a disability is having difficulty in accessing Shah Trading Co. Ltd..  Staff will also be trained when changes are made to our Accessible Customer Service Policy.

FEEDBACK PROCESS

People with disabilities can provide feedback to Shah Trading Co. Ltd. in the following way(s):

• Feedback may be received through email, by phone or in person to the employee overseeing the Accessibility Standard Act.

Any feedback forward to Shah Trading Co. Ltd. will be addressed with the customer within one week of the feedback or complaint.  Such contact will take place via a phone call followed up by a letter from the employee overseeing the Accessibility Standard Act.

NOTICE OF AVAILABILITY

Shah Trading Co. Ltd. will notify the public that our documents related to accessible customer service, are available upon request by posting a notice on our website.

MODIFICATIONS TO THIS OR OTHER POLICIES

Any policy, practice or procedure of Shah Trading Co. Ltd. that does not respect and promote the principles of dignity, independence, integration and equal opportunity for people with disabilities will be modified or removed.

NOTICE OF AVAILABILITY

Shah Trading Co. Ltd. will notify the public that our documents related to accessible customer service, are available upon request by posting a notice on our website.

MODIFICATIONS TO THIS OR OTHER POLICIES

Any policy, practice or procedure of Shah Trading Co. Ltd. that does not respect and promote the principles of dignity, independence, integration and equal opportunity for people with disabilities will be modified or removed.

Purpose

The purpose of this policy and the accompanying procedure is to outline the accessibility requirements for the organization.

Scope

The policy and procedure apply to all operations of the Shah Trading Company (‘STC’) and all full-time, part-time, employees, visitors, contractors.

Definitions

• ‘Part-time’ means greater than twenty (20) hours weekly
• ‘STC’ means Shah Trading Company
• ‘Senior Management’ means the top leadership at STC – the Shah family.

Policy Statement

STC will make every reasonable effort to ensure that persons with disabilities have the same access to services, information, and opportunities for employment as those who do not have an identified disability.  Ethnicity will ensure that person with disabilities are free to use their own assistive devices, as required when accessing services, information or employment opportunities with our organization.

STC is committed to the following accessibility standards:

Accessible Customer Service:

1. Ensuring customers or clients with a disability are able to communicate through a support person.
2. We are committed to following the principles of dignity, independence, integration and equal opportunity, such as taking into account individual needs when providing our services; and communicating in a manner that takes into account the customer’s or clients disability.
3. Offering all our third parties with the opportunity to provide feedback related to the service provided to them. This can be done via email.
4. Notifying our third parties, customers and clients that the documents related to Accessibility are available upon request and via a format that takes into account their disability.

Access to Information and Appropriate Forms of Communication:

1. Where a need has been identified, STC will make every effort reasonable to ensure visitors, customers and general members of the public have the information they require through accessible formats and communication supports will be allowed or made available where possible.
2. Ensuring that the company website is compliant with WCAG 2.0 Guidelines.
3. Identifying an Accessibility Officer for each STC location.

Accessibility and Employment:

1. STC will make every effort to ensure our policies and practices do not adversely disadvantage an employee with an identified disability.
2. Ensure that recruitment practices and methods for screening prospective candidates allow for consideration for those with disabilities in the same manner as those who do not have a disability.
3. Make reasonable accommodations for applicants and new hires within the workplace through fair and equitable policy and procedures.
4. Eliminate barriers through proactive training and coaching that may affect the attitudes of our employees with respect to treatment of those with an identified disability.
5. Identifying specialized emergency evacuation plans for employees or visitors with an identified disability.

Accessibility training is provided to all employees at the time of hire.  This training covers the purpose of the act, a review of the requirements, instructions on how to interact and communicate with people with various types of disabilities and how to utilize assistive devices.  In addition, STC policies, procedures and practices pertaining to providing accessible customer service, information and employment opportunities to customers and/or persons with disabilities are available readily.

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This written policy does not create a binding contract of employment or other legal guarantee that the company will continue any practices described in the written policy. STC reserves the right to modify, alter or remove any provision of this policy at any time.  STC will ensure that any such changes or modifications are subject to applicable laws.