Accessibility & AODA
Statement of Commitment
Gwillimdale Farms and its affiliates (hereinafter referred to as “Gwillimdale”)
are committed to providing an accessible environment for all clients,
employees, job applicants, suppliers, and visitors who may enter our premises,
access our information, or use our services. As an organization, we respect and
comply with the requirements of the Accessibility
for Ontarians with Disabilities Act,
2005 and its associated regulations (the “AODA”). We strive
to provide an accessible and welcoming environment for everyone by identifying
and removing barriers in our workplace and ensuring that new barriers are not
created. The company ensures that persons with disabilities are provided with
equal opportunities. We are committed to meeting the needs of individuals with
disabilities in a timely and integrative manner that respects their dignity and
independence.
Multi-year Accessibility Plan
In compliance with the AODA,
Gwillimdale has created a multi-year accessibility plan and has committed to
updating it at least once every five years and posted a copy here on our
website. Our accessibility plan outlines
what steps we have taken to ensure accessibility in our organization, what
steps we will take to prevent and remove barriers to accessibility,
and provides timelines identifying when we will do so. It is designed to
demonstrate Gwillimdale’s committment to ensuring its
accessibility policy and plan applies to all the goods and services we offer to
the public or third parties. Our plan is rooted in Gwillimdale’s core
values of excellence, innovation, unity, and sustainability. It is in effect
from October 1, 2023 to October 1, 2028.
Gwillimdale plans to take the
following initiatives to prevent and remove barriers and comply with the Integrated Accessibility Standards
Regulation.
General Initiatives
Initiatives Relating to Disruptions:
Disruption in services may
occur from time to time, which may be out of Gwilimdale’s
control. In the event of any temporary or permanent disruptions that may impact
our facilities, products, or services that persons with disabilities rely on,
we commit to making every reasonable effort to ensure advance notice of the
disruption is provided. While every effort will be made to provide advance
notice, in the event of emergencies or unexpected temporary disruptions,
advance notice may not be possible; however, every effort will be made to
inform persons accessing our facilities, products or services.
In the event of a disruption,
a notification with relevant information on 1) the facilities, products, or
services impacted, 2) the reason for the disruption, 3) the anticipated
duration of the disruption, 4) any alternative options, if available, will be
provided unless it is unknown or unavailable. Furthermore, Gwillimdale will
post notices at the main office entrance door on its website via header and
social media handles and notify persons when calling to schedule an alternative
appointment.
Core Values
Our core values of Excellence, Innovation, Unity, and Sustainability
uphold our commitment to ensure the accessibility of our goods and
services. They are posted on our website
and at all major information boards and offices throughout the company and
shared with supervisors and managers who communicate with their teams and
departments in order to ensure they are integrated
throughout the company’s culture and actions. We strive to operate by our core
values.
Policy Review
We review all our policies yearly, including our accessibility and
accommodation policies. Policy reviews take place in the fall as training is
conducted in the winter and early spring. Given our commitment to uphold the
AODA, we are currently revamping all our policies to ensure they comply with
this legislation. We anticipate that our
policy review will be completed by May 2024.
Information and Communication:
Gwillimdale is committed to
meeting all the communication needs of all persons, including persons with
disabilities. Two of these information and communication methods include our
website and social media platforms.
Gwillimdale’s website and web
content are in compliance with the World Wide Web
Consortium’s Web Content Accessibility Guidelines 2.0 Level AA, which will
continue to be updated yearly as required by Ontario’s accessibility laws.
Gwillimdale is also committed to ensuring all social media platforms
communicate all information relevant to our commitment under the AODA when and
where applicable, similar to our website.
Furthermore, Gwillimdale will
ensure it makes consultation and feedback opportunities available both
internally and externally to those affected by our accessibility policy and
AODA compliance efforts, and to notify consultation and feedback participants about
accessible formats for providing their perspective. Any accessibility and
accessible format requests will be addressed in a timely manner, and applicable
consultations with the person making the request will occur to ensure the
suitability of the format.
Customer Service Standards
Gwillimdale is committed to
ensuring all relevant information and training of employees, contractors,
agencies, and third parties (herein referred to as persons) who act on
Gwillimdale’s behalf or work alongside Gwillimdale Farms. Training occurs
yearly and as updates are released, which include but are not limited to
accessibility standards, diversity, equity and inclusion, and the Human Rights
Code. All persons who receive this information will sign off to verify the time
and commitment required to ensure successful completion. Gwillimdale is
committed to ensuring the continued and ongoing education of all persons and
the opportunities and options available for accommodation.
Recruitment & Employment:
Gwillimdale is committed to
providing an accommodating, accessible and barrier-free environment for all
persons. Please be sure to contact our Human Resources department for
accommodation requests.
During the recruitment,
assessment, interview and selection process, persons are informed that
accommodations are available upon request.
All employees are informed
that individual accommodation plans and return-to-work plans are available when
requested.
Given its commitment to
accessibility, Gwillimdale has opened an employment opportunity whereby it is
in the process of hiring a Health and Safety and Accessibility Coordinator to
oversee health and safety, accessibility and accommodation for those within and
outside of the organization.
Built Environment:
While Gwillimdale has limited
public spaces, it is committed to revitalizing and upgrading its main office
facilities and customer service area. This renovation project is anticipated to
be 5 years in length. Our goal is to ensure plans and renovations meet relevant
codes and accessibility standards.
Feedback Process:
If you have any questions or
concerns about this plan or its initiatives, or if you want to receive a copy
of the plan in an accessible format, please contact Human Resources at hr@gwillimdalefarms.com.
Anyone interested in
providing feedback to Gwillimdale in regard to the
goods and services it provides to persons with disabilities can do so in
writing, online via our feedback link, or by telephone. Persons providing
feedback, including complaints and recommendations, can expect a response
within 10 business days.
Contact Information:
Attention: Human Resources
Manager
Gwillimdale Farms Inc
Mailing Address:
P.O. Box 1385
Bradford, Ontario, L3Z 2B7
Canada
Phone: 905-775-2889
Fax: 905-775-8135
Email: hr@gwillimdalefarms.com