Accessibility Policy

Bennett Construction Group 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, are committed to meeting the needs of people with disabilities in a timely manner. We shall do so by removing or preventing barriers to accessibility and meeting our accessibility requirements under the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act and Ontario’s accessibility laws.

Bennett Construction Group is committed to meeting its current and ongoing obligations under the Ontario Human Rights Code respecting non-discrimination.

Bennett Construction Group understands that obligations under the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act, 2005 (AODA) and its accessibility standards do not substitute or limit its obligations under the Ontario Human Rights Code or obligations to people with disabilities under any other law.

Bennett Construction Group is committed to excellence in serving and providing goods, services or facilities to all customers including people with disabilities.

Our accessible customer service policies are consistent with the principles of independence, dignity, integration and equality of opportunity for people with disabilities.

Assistive Devices

People with disabilities may use their personal assistive devices when accessing our goods, services or facilities.

In cases where the assistive device presents a significant and unavoidable health or safety concern or may not be permitted for other reasons, alternative measures shall be used to ensure the person with a disability can access our goods, services or facilities.

In most instances requiring construction site access, a prior appointment shall be required to ensure adequate measures are in place before a visit, to ensure the safety of all concerned.

We shall ensure that our staff are trained and familiar with any assistive devices we may provide on site, that may be used by customers with disabilities while accessing our goods, services or facilities.

Training

Bennett Construction Group is committed to training all staff and volunteers in accessible customer service, other Ontario’s accessibility standards and aspects of the Ontario Human Rights Code that relate to persons with disabilities.

In addition, we shall train:

1. all persons who participate in developing the organization’s policies; and
2. all other persons who provide goods, services or facilities on behalf of the organization

Training shall include;

• the purpose of the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act, 2005 and the requirements of the Customer Service Standards
• our policies related to the Customer Service Standards
• 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, services or facilities to people with disabilities.
• what to do if a person with a disability is having difficulty in accessing our organization’s goods, services or facilities.

We shall train every person as soon as practicable after being hired and provide training in respect of any changes to the policies.

We shall maintain records of the training provided including the dates on which the training was provided and the individuals who receive it.

Communication

We shall endeavor to communicate with people with disabilities in ways that consider their disability. This may include any of the following methods;

• in writing,
• using custom signage, or;
• working with the person with disabilities as applicable to determine what method of communication works best for them.

Service Animals

We welcome people with disabilities and their service animals. Service animals are allowed on the parts of our premises that are open to the public and third parties.

When we cannot easily identify that an animal is a service animal, our staff may ask for documentation (template, letter, or form) from a regulated health professional, that confirms the person needs the service animal for reasons relating to their disability.

A service animal can be easily identified through visual indicators, such as when it wears a harness or a vest, or when it helps the person perform certain tasks.

A regulated health professional is defined as a member of one of the following colleges:

• College of Audiologists and Speech-Language Pathologists of Ontario,
• College of Chiropractors of Ontario,
• College of Nurses of Ontario,
• College of Occupational Therapists of Ontario,
• College of Optometrists of Ontario,
• College of Physicians and Surgeons of Ontario,
• College of Physiotherapists of Ontario,
• College of Psychologists of Ontario, or;
• College of Registered Psychotherapists and Registered Mental Health Therapists of Ontario.

If service animals are prohibited by another law, we shall do the following to ensure people with disabilities can access our goods, services or facilities:

• explain why the animal is excluded, and;
• discuss with the customer another way of providing goods, services or facilities.

Support Persons

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

In certain cases, this organization may require a person with a disability to be accompanied by a support person for the health or safety reasons of:

• the person with a disability, and/or;
• others on the premises.

Before making a decision, Bennett Construction Group shall:

• consult with the person with a disability to understand their needs,
• consider health or safety reasons based on available evidence, and;
• determine if there is no other reasonable way to protect the health or safety of the person or others on the premises.

In the event of a planned or unexpected disruption to services or facilities for customers with disabilities, this organization shall notify customers promptly. This clearly posted notice will include information about the reason for the disruption, its anticipated length of time, and a description of alternative facilities or services, if available. The notice will be made public by posting it at the relevant site office.

Feedback Process

Bennett Construction Group welcomes feedback on how we provide accessible customer service. Customer feedback will help us identify barriers and respond to concerns. All feedback should be provided by email and sent to the executive assistant Colleen Harrison charrison@bennettgroup.ca after which, customers can expect a response within 10 business days.

Bennett Construction Group will provide these documents in an accessible format or with communication support, on request. We will consult with the person making the request to determine the suitability of the format or communication support. We shall provide the accessible format response in a timely manner and at no additional cost.

Information and Communications

We have a process for receiving and responding to feedback and the process is accessible to persons with disabilities upon request.

Upon request, we shall communicate with people with disabilities in ways that take into account their disability. When asked, we shall provide information about our organization and its services, including public safety information, in accessible formats or with communication supports in a timely manner, taking into account the person’s accessibility needs due to disability.

We shall consult with the person making the request to determine the suitability of an accessible format or communication support. If the organization determines that information or communications are unconvertible, the organization shall provide the requestor with:

1. an explanation as to why the information or communications are unconvertible; and
2. a summary of the unconvertible information or communications.

Employment

We notify employees and job applicants that accommodations can be made during recruitment and hiring. We notify job applicants when they are individually selected to participate in an assessment or selection process, that accommodations are available upon request. We will consult with the applicants and shall provide or arrange for suitable accommodation.

We shall notify successful applicants of policies for accommodating employees with disabilities when making offers of employment.

We shall notify staff that support is available for those with disabilities as soon as practicable after they begin their employment. We provide updated information to employees whenever there is a change to existing policies on the provision of job accommodation that consider an employee’s accessibility needs due to a disability.

We shall consult with employees when arranging for the provision of suitable accommodation in a manner that considers the accessibility needs due to disability. We shall consult with the person making the request in determining the suitability of an accessible format or communication supports specifically for:

1. information that is needed in order to perform the employee’s job; and;
2. information that is generally available to employees in the workplace.

Where needed, we shall also provide customized emergency information to help an employee with a disability during an emergency. With the employee’s consent, we will provide workplace emergency information to a designated person who is aiding that employee during an emergency.

We shall provide the information as soon as practicable after we become aware of the need for accommodation due to the employee’s disability.

We shall review the individualized workplace emergency response information:

1. when the employee moves to a different location in the organization,
2. when the employee’s overall accommodations needs or plans are reviewed; or
3. when we review our general emergency response policies.

Our performance management, career development and redeployment processes consider the accessibility needs of all employees.

Temporary Disruption

In the event of a temporary disruption of goods, services or facilities used by persons with disabilities, we shall provide notification in the relevant accessible format, to those persons to whom access arrangements have been made. Notification shall include;

• the reason for the disruption,
• its anticipated duration, and;
• a description of available alternative facilities or services (if any).

Other persons making fresh requests for accessible access shall be notified of the disruption and access shall not be permitted.

Changes to Existing Policies

Any policies of this organization that do not respect and promote the principles of dignity, independence, integration and equal opportunity for people with disabilities shall be modified or removed.

Policy Review

This policy shall be reviewed as required, but at a minimum of every 5 years.

This document is publicly available. Accessible formats are available upon request.

Document History

Written By:	Approved By:	Created:	Revision Date:	Revision Number:
DHW	MO & CH	5-Jul-23	24-Jul-23	07