Our Commitment

The Shore is committed to service excellence and always strives to provide products and services in a way that respects the dignity and independence of people with disabilities. The organization 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, 2005 (AODA).

Scope and Application

The Policy encompasses The Shore’s practices and procedures governing the provision of products and services to people with disabilities, including The Shore employees, and includes the following procedures and guidelines in support of the Customer Service Standards and Integrated Accessibility Standards Regulation (IASR):

· Use of Assistive Devices

· Use of Service Animals and Support Persons

· Disruptions in Service

· Feedback Process

· Individualized Workplace Emergency Response Information for Disabled Employees; and

· The Shore’s Standards for Developing Web Content/Digital Properties Guide (WCAG2.0).

This Policy applies to employees and other people acting on behalf of The Shore who interact with the public. It may be revised as other standards are introduced under the AODA.

Plan

The Shore has implemented this Multi-Year plan to ensure that we are prepared to meet all compliance standards for customer service accessibility under the AODA regulations. As an organization, The Shore will meet or exceed all applicable legislation regarding the provision of customer service for people with a disability.

The Shore is committed to eliminating barriers and improving accessibility for persons with disabilities and to providing goods and services in a way that respects the dignity and independence of people with disabilities.

The Integrated Accessibility Standards Regulation (“IASR”) under AODA, which incorporates the remaining 4 accessibility standards, requires us to establish, implement, maintain and document a multi-year accessibility plan which outlines our strategy to prevent and remove barriers for persons with disabilities through the requirements under the IASR. The following accessibility standards are applicable to The Shore under the IASR:

1. General Requirements

2. Information and Communications

3. Employment

4. Design of Public Spaces

In accordance with IASR, The Shore will:

• Establish, review and update this Accessibility Plan

• Post this Accessibility Plan on The Shore public website at www.tastetheshore.ca

• Provide this Accessibility Plan in an accessible format, upon request

• Review and update this Accessibility Plan at least once every 5 years

Part I – General

This section of the Regulation requires us to:

• Develop & maintain an accessibility policy and a multi-year accessibility plan

• Self-service kiosks – The Shore does not offer products and/or services through self-service kiosks currently. If required in the future, The Shore will consider accessibility features that could be built into self-service kiosks to best meet the needs of its guests.

• Ensure staff and volunteers are trained on the Integrated Accessibility Standards Regulation and the Ontario Human Rights Code

Public safety information that is prepared by The Shore and made available to the public will be made available in an accessible format or with appropriate communication support, as soon as practicable, upon request.

Part II – Information and Communications Standards

This section of the Regulation includes requirements related to:

• Accessible feedback processes

• Accessible formats and communication support

The personal information of individuals seeking accessibility services is subject to the privacy protection of The Personal Information Protection and Electronic Documents Act (PIPEDA).

The Shore may only access and use this personal information to deliver services as permitted by the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act, 2005, O.Reg.191/11 and O.Reg.429/07.

Part III – Provide Accommodation to Potential Employees

Provide Accommodation to Potential Employees

• Communicate Recruitment Opportunities

• Detail Available Accommodation