Statement of Commitment
Fasken Martineau DuMoulin LLP (the “Firm”) is committed to ensuring a safe, welcoming, and accessible environment that respects the dignity, independence, integration and equal opportunity of people with disabilities. We are 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 Disabilities Act (2005) (“AODA”).
The Firm is committed to becoming a barrier free organization that strives to comply with the requirements of all existing legislation through policies, procedures, and training for employees. We are also committed to ensuring that all persons with disabilities are aware of their rights and responsibilities to foster an accessible and inclusive environment, while remaining open to suggestions concerning best practices. Where accommodations are possible, persons with disabilities will be provided with such accommodations at no charge.
Multi-Year Plan
In accordance with our Firm’s obligations under the AODA, and specifically Integrated Accessibility Standards Regulation 191/11 (“IASR”), we have prepared a multi-year Accessibility Plan which outlines the policies and actions that Fasken Martineau DuMoulin LLP will put in place from 2014-2021 to prevent and remove barriers and enhance accessibility for people with disabilities who work for our Firm and those who are our clients and visitors. This document is a fluid one and will be adjusted from time to time as required.
Customer Service
Fasken Martineau DuMoulin LLP is committed to excellence in serving all our visitors including people with disabilities. We welcome visitors with disabilities and their service animals and will use our best efforts to accommodate all assistive devices. If necessary, the Firm will use alternate methods to provide service to visitors with disabilities in a manner that takes their disability into consideration.
Accessibility Emergency Information
Our Firm is committed to providing our clients with publicly available emergency information in an accessible format upon request. We will also provide employees with disabilities with individualized emergency response information when necessary.
Training
Fasken Martineau DuMoulin LLP provides training to Firm members and others who provide services on behalf of the Firm, on Ontario’s accessibility laws and on the Ontario Human Rights Code as it relates to people with disabilities. Since January 1, 2015, all training, including onboarding, has been provided in a way that best suits the duties of employees, volunteers and other Firm members. Since 2020, we have made available training and resources to our people leaders on how to support team members with mental health challenges.
Feedback Process
The Firm will take reasonable steps to ensure that our feedback processes are accessible to individuals with disabilities.
Kiosks
Our Firm will ensure that we take into account the needs of individuals with disabilities when utilizing self-service kiosks.
Accessible Formats
Fasken Martineau DuMoulin LLP is committed to meeting the communication needs of people with disabilities. We will consult with people with disabilities to determine their information and communication needs and will provide information in accessible formats or with communication supports.
Websites
The Firm will take reasonable steps to ensure that new websites and content on our sites conform with WCAG 2.0, Level AA by January 1, 2021.
Employment
Fasken Martineau DuMoulin LLP is committed to fair and accessible employment practices. Since January 1, 2016, we took the following steps to notify the public and staff that, when requested, the Firm will accommodate people with disabilities:
- Notify all applicants about the availability of accommodation during the recruitment, selection and hiring process.
- Develop an Individual Accommodation Plan (“IAP”) for Firm members with disabilities.
- Develop and implement a gradual return to work (GRTW) process to support employees who have been absent due to a disability.
- Where needed, we will provide customized emergency information to help an employee with a disability during an emergency.
- Ensure the accessibility needs of employees with disabilities are taken into account during performance management, career development and redeployment processes.
Changes to Existing Policies
We will modify or remove an existing policy that does not respect and promote the dignity and independence of people with disabilities.
Procurement
When procuring goods, services and facilities, the Firm will incorporate accessibility features. Where it is impractical for the Firm to incorporate accessibility criteria and/or features when procuring or acquiring specific goods, services or facilities, we will provide a written explanation to be reviewed by the Senior Director, Facilities and Office Services.
To determine whether the products, services or facility might present barriers for people with different types of disabilities, the following principles of accessibility will be considered:
- Accessible: can a person with a disability use the good, service or facility at all?
- Equitable: can someone with a disability use the good, service or facility as quickly and easily as a person without a disability?
- Adaptable: can a user configure the good, service or facility to meet their specific needs and preferences and will it work with common assistive technologies?
Fasken is committed to the highest possible standards for accessibility. Suppliers must be capable to recommend and deliver, as appropriate for each deliverable, accessible and inclusive goods, services and facilities consistent with the AODA and its regulations.
Design of Public Spaces
As of January 1, 2017, when making major building modifications or renovations to our public spaces, Fasken Martineau DuMoulin LLP will ensure we are meeting the Design of Public Spaces Standards. All accessibility elements for which Fasken Martineau is responsible will be properly maintained and immediately repaired. As well, in the event of a service disruption affecting our public spaces, the Firm will notify its clients and employees of the service disruption and alternatives available.
FMD – Accessible Customer Service Policy
Providing Goods and Services to People with Disabilities
Fasken Martineau DuMoulin LLP (the “Firm”) is committed to excellence in serving all our visitors including people with disabilities.
Assistive Devices
The Firm recognizes that some visitors with disabilities use assistive devices in order to access or benefit from the Firm’s services. We will use our best efforts to accommodate all assistive devices. If necessary, the Firm will use alternate methods to provide service to visitors with disabilities in a manner that takes their disability into consideration.
The Firm will ensure that designated employees are trained and familiar with various assistive devices that may be used by visitors with disabilities while accessing our services.
Communication
We will communicate with visitors with disabilities in ways that take into account their disability.
Service Animals
The Firm welcomes visitors with disabilities and their service animals. Certified service animals are allowed on the parts of our premises that are open to the public.
Support Persons
The Firm recognizes that some individuals with disabilities rely on support persons for assistance while accessing services. A person with a disability who is accompanied by a support person will be allowed to enter into our premises together with the support person and will not be prevented from having access to the support person while on the premises.
When necessary to protect the health or safety of a person with a disability, the Firm may require a person with a disability to be accompanied by a support person when on the premises.
Where the Firm sponsors paid events, the fee for the support person will be waived.
In order to preserve the client’s confidentiality, we will always ask permission to discussion confidential matters in front of the support person.
Notice of Temporary Disruption
The Firm will make every effort to notify visitors with disabilities of any planned or unexpected disruption to services or facilities. This notice will include information on the reasons for the disruption, the expected length of the disruption and a description of alternative facilities or services, if available. Where practical, this information will be posted on the premises.
Training for Staff
The Firm provides ongoing training to all its members regarding the provision of excellent service to individuals with disabilities, including when changes are made to our policies, practices and procedures. The Firm also commits to provide this training to all new members within 90 days of their start date. The training program includes the following:
- The purpose of the AODA and the requirements of the Customer Service Standard.
- How to interact and communicate with persons with various types of disabilities;
- How to interact with persons with disabilities who use an assistive device or require the assistance of a guide dog or other service animal or the assistance of a support person;
- How to use equipment or devices available on our premises that may help with the provision of services to a person with a disability; and
- What to do if a person with a specific disability is having difficulty accessing our services.
In addition, during their first 90 days with the Firm, all new members are required to watch our on-line training programs on the Integrated Accessibility Standards Requirements and the Human Rights Code.
Feedback Process
Fasken Martineau DuMoulin LLP welcomes feedback from visitors with disabilities so that we can ensure we are meeting their needs. Those who wish to provide feedback can do so by:
- Hard copy - forms are available in our Reception area
- Email – a link can be found on our Intranet site – www.fasken.com
- Verbally – Our Receptionist can assist in completing the form. Names and contact details for Firm members who can also collect verbal feedback are listed on our website’s Accessibility page.
Any concerns will be addressed and responded to within 72 hours.
Modifications to this or other Policies
We are committed to developing client service policies that respect and promote the dignity and independence of visitors with disabilities, and also ensure equal access to our services for all. Any Firm policy that does not meet this criteria will be modified or removed. No changes shall be made to this policy without considering the impact on our visitors with disabilities.
For more information
For more information on this accessibility plan, please contact either:
Daria Juchimenko, Senior Director, Human Resources (Ontario) at:
djuchimenko@fasken.com
416 865 4476
Or
Annette McNulty, Senior Director, Facilities & Office Services
amcnulty@fasken.com
416 865 3456
Accessible formats of this document are available upon request.
Last Updated: December 1, 2019