Accessibility at PathFactory

Definitions

Accessibility: giving opportunities to people of all abilities to participate fully in everyday life. It can be seen as the ability to access and benefit from a system, service, program, product, or environment.

Accessible formats: include, but are not limited to, large print, recorded audio and electronic formats, braille, and other formats usable by persons with disabilities.

Assistive devices: any technical aids, communication devices, or medical aids that are used to increase, maintain, or improve the experience of individuals with disabilities. This includes but is not limited to, wheelchairs, walkers, white canes, prosthetic limbs, note-taking devices, portable magnifiers, recording machines, and electronic communication devices.

Communication supports: supports used to access information or increase communication effectiveness. These supports include but are not limited to, captioning, alternative and augmentative communication supports, plain language, sign language, and other supports that facilitate effective communication.

Barrier: anything that prevents a person with a disability from fully participating in all aspects of society because of their disability, including a physical barrier, an architectural barrier, an information or communications barrier, an attitudinal barrier, a technological barrier, a policy or a practice.

Disability: any degree of physical, mental, emotional, developmental, or learning impairment, including both temporary or permanent impairments, visible and invisible disabilities (e.g. visual, hearing, or mental impairment, or learning or developmental disabilities).

Service animal: an animal that provides assistance to a person with a disability that relates to that person’s disability.

Support persons: any person whether a paid professional, volunteer, family member, or friend who accompanies a person with a disability in order to help with communication, mobility, personal care, or medical needs or with access to goods, services, or facilities.

Training

PathFactory will provide training to employees, volunteers, and other staff members on the requirements of the accessibility standards in applicable accessibility legislation. Training will be provided as soon as practicable and ongoing training will be provided in connection with any changes to PathFactory’s accessibility policies. Training will be provided in a way that best suits the duties of employees, volunteers, and other staff members.

Information and Communications Standards

Emergency procedures, plans, or public safety information that is publicly available shall be provided in an accessible format or with appropriate communication support, as soon as practicable upon request.

PathFactory will ensure its process to receive and respond to customer feedback respects the accessible communication needs of persons with disabilities. PathFactory will provide or arrange for the provision of accessible formats and communication supports as soon as practicable upon request. PathFactory will consult with the person making the request to determine the suitability of an alternative format or communication support.

Customers and employees are welcome to submit requests via:

• Email: accessibility@pathfactory.com
• Phone: 416-304-9400 (ask for a member of the Accessibility team)
• Company Website: https://www.pathfactory.com/contact/
• Mail: PathFactory
  • 100 King St. West, Suite 5700
  • Toronto, ON
  • M5X 1C7
  • Attention: Accessibility Team

Exceptions include unconvertible information and communication PathFactory does not control directly or indirectly through a contractual relationship. In the event PathFactory determines it is not technically feasible to convert the information or communications, or the technology to convert the information or communications is not readily available, PathFactory will provide the person who requires the information an explanation as to why the information or communications are unconvertible.

Accessible Websites and Web Content

PathFactory’s internet website and web content conform with the World Wide Web Consortium Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) Level AA (as applicable) with limited exceptions in line with established accessibility and information and communication standards.

Employment Standards

Recruitment

PathFactory will specify that accommodation is available for applicants with disabilities in its recruitment processes on job postings. PathFactory will inform applicants when they are individually selected to participate in an assessment process, that accommodations are available upon request in relation to the materials or processes to be used. If a selected applicant requests an accommodation, the company will consult with the applicant and provide or arrange for the provision of a suitable accommodation, having regard for the applicant’s accessibility needs.

Employee Supports

PathFactory will inform employees of the policies and changes in policies used to support employees with disabilities throughout the employment life cycle.

When requested, PathFactory will consult with employees to provide accessible formats and communication supports for information that is needed in order to perform the employee’s job and also for information generally available to employees in the workplace.

Individual Accommodation Plans and Return to Work Process

PathFactory has a process to develop an Individual Accommodation Plan (IAP) for employees. PathFactory shall take into account the specific accessibility needs of employees with disabilities and IAP(s) in its performance management processes, when providing career development and advancement opportunities and when considering redeployment of employees with disabilities.

PathFactory will provide Individualized Workplace Emergency Response Information to employees who have a disability if the disability is such that individualized information is necessary and PathFactory is aware of the need for accommodation due to the disability.

PathFactory has a Return-to-Work process for employees who have been absent from work due to a disability and require disability-related accommodations to return to work. The Return-to-Work process will not replace or override any other Return-to-Work process created by other legislation.

Feedback

PathFactory welcomes feedback on how the company provides products and services to people with disabilities. Feedback can be provided using the following avenues:

• Email: accessibility@pathfactory.com
• Phone: 416-304-9400 (ask for a member of the Accessibility team)
• Company Website: https://www.pathfactory.com/contact/
• Mail: PathFactory
  • 100 King St. West, Suite 5700
  • Toronto, ON
  • M5X 1C7
  • Attention: Accessibility Team