Accessibility Plan
Accessibility Plan pursuant to the Accessible British Columbia Act, 2022 and the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act, 2005
This Accessibility Plan for Thorsteinssons LLP (the “Firm”), outlines the policies, practices and actions that the Firm will implement over a multi-year period (the “Plan”) to improve accessibility for individuals with disabilities. The Plan also incorporates and references the Firm’s existing accessibility policies and practices in an effort to streamline the Firm’s efforts in achieving its accessibility goals, and to comply with all applicable laws.
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Statement of Commitment
Thorsteinssons LLP (the “Firm”) is committed to removing and preventing barriers to accessibility and meeting our accessibility requirements under Accessible British Columbia Act, 2022 and the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act, 2005 (collectively the “Acts”), the Integrated Accessibility Standards (the “Regulation”), and Ontario’s accessibility laws. We are committed to providing accessible customer service to people with disabilities and to improving accessibility for our clients and our employees. We are committed to ensuring that our policies, procedures and practices relating to accessibility are guided by the principles of dignity, independence, integration, and equality of access. We are committed to meeting the needs of people with disabilities in a timely manner.
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Customer Service
When providing service to a client with a disability, the Firm will do so in a manner that takes into account the person’s disability. We will work with the person with a disability to determine what method of communication works best for them.
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Notice of Temporary Disruptions
In the event of a planned or unexpected disruption to services or facilities provided by the Firm and used by persons with disabilities, including a power outage or disruption in elevator service, the Firm will notify customers promptly.
This 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 placed at our reception area and on our website. In addition, where we are aware that a person with a disability intended to use the service or facility during the period of disruption, we will contact that individual directly to advise them of the disruption.
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Training
The Firm will ensure that staff, volunteers and third parties providing services on our behalf are trained on British Columbia’s and Ontario’s accessibility laws and aspects of both province’s Human Rights Code that relate to persons with disabilities and will keep a record of this training. We will train our employees on accessibility as it relates to their specific roles and will ensure that the training includes specific instruction on how to interact and communicate with persons with various types of disabilities. Training will be provided within 30 days of hire, and on an ongoing basis for all employees following any changes to this policy.
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Kiosks
Following a review of our operations, it has been determined that the Firm does not maintain kiosks. However, to the extent that kiosks are acquired or operated in the future, the Firm will consider accessibility issues at that time.
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Accessible Communications
The Firm will communicate with people with disabilities in ways that takes 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 consult with the person making the request for information to determine the suitability of any format or communication support. Any requests for accessible formats or communication supports will be addressed in a timely manner and the individual will not be charged at a cost higher than that charged to others for the same information.
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Employment
The Firm will notify employees, potential hires and the public that accommodations can be made during recruitment and hiring. We will do this through job postings and when contacting individuals for interviews. Successful applicants will be notified about our policies for accommodating employees at the time they are offered employment. We will update all employees when there are changes made to any of these policies.
We will notify staff that supports are available for those with disabilities and will prepare written processes to develop individual accommodation plans and facilitate return to work for employees. Upon request by an employee with a disability, we will consult with the employee to provide them with any work-related information using accessible formats and communication supports that meet their needs.
Where we are aware of the need for accommodation, we will also provide customized emergency information to help an employee with a disability during an emergency and, where necessary and with the consent of the employee, we will share this information with the individual(s) designated to provide assistance to the employee.
The Firm will ensure that all existing performance management, career development and redeployment processes take into account the accessibility needs of all employees, as well as any of their individual accommodation plans.
We will also meet internationally-recognized Web Content Accessibility Guidelines website requirements in accordance with both province’s accessibility laws.
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Design of Public and Client Spaces
The firm will meet its accessibility obligations in respect of the design of public and client spaces when building or making major modifications to these spaces, including meeting rooms, reception and waiting areas. The Firm will ensure that its leadership and facilities teams are fully aware of accessibility requirements and will work with relevant designers, engineers, builders, and other experts and third parties involved in the builds or modifications to ensure that all necessary requirements are met.
We will also put reasonable procedures in place to prevent service disruptions to accessible parts of these public spaces and to deal with temporary disruptions when accessible elements required under these Standards are not in working order.
In the event of a service disruption, the Firm will notify the public of the service disruption and alternatives available, as soon as practicable.
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Availability of Documents
A copy of this Policy shall be made available on the Firm’s intranet and the Firm’s external website.
Accessible formats of this document are also available for free upon request.
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Modification of the Plan
This Plan will be reviewed and updated by the Firm at least every five years. At the time of revision, information regarding any new accessibility policies and practices adopted by the Firm in accordance with the Plan or otherwise will be included in the revised Plan.
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For more information regarding the Plan please contact us as follows:
Email: thor@thor.ca
Mail:
Suite 2600 – 1090 West Pender Street
Vancouver, BC V6E 0E3
Phone:
VANCOUVER 604-689-1261
TORONTO 416-864-0829