Accessibility Policy 

 Compliance with the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act, 2005 

 A. Integrated Accessibility Standards Regulation Policy 

Information, Communications, and Employment 

Intelliware is committed to providing an inclusive, accessible, and respectful environment for all people with disabilities. We strive to meet the accessibility needs of people with disabilities in ways that take into consideration the principles of dignity, independence, integration, and equal opportunity. Intelliware is committed to ensuring that the regulations and standards of the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act, 2005 are observed. 

1. Recruitment 

Intelliware is committed to diversity in the workplace. We are an inclusive employer and welcome and encourage applications from all qualified candidates. Applicants’ needs will be accommodated during our recruitment and selection process. We will work with applicants to determine specific accommodation needs upon request. 

2. Hiring 

When making offers of employment, Intelliware will notify the potential employee of its policies for accommodating employees with disabilities. If the offer is accepted, the employee will be informed of all policies that are in place to support employees with disabilities as soon as possible after commencing employment. 

3. Performance Management, Career Development and Advancement, and Redeployment 

Intelliware will consider the accessibility needs of employees with disabilities when conducting performance reviews, providing career development and advancement to employees, and when redeploying employees. 

4. Workplace Emergency Response Information 

On request, Intelliware will provide individualized workplace emergency response information to employees with disabilities when such information is required. 

5. Documented Individual Accommodation Plan 

Intelliware will create an individualized accommodation plan for all employees with disabilities as soon as possible after the company is made aware the disability. We will work together with the employee to find the best way to meet all accessibility needs and will continue to review and update the established plan. Intelliware will implement measures to effectively ensure and maintain the privacy of its employees with disabilities. 

6. Return to Work Process 

Intelliware will maintain a documented return to work process for employees who have been absent from work due to a disability. We will work with the employee to determine the disability-related accommodations and support necessary. In collaboration with the employee, Intelliware will create a documented individual accommodation plan (see previous section) in order to meet accessibility needs. 

7. Accessible Formats and Communication Supports for Employees 

On request of an employee with a disability, Intelliware will consult with the employee to provide accessible formats and communication supports for information that is needed to perform the job and information that is available to other employees. 

8. Modifications to this or other policies 

Any Intelliware policy that does not respect and promote the dignity and independence of people with disabilities will be modified or removed. The Health & Safety team will review Intelliware’s Integrated Accessibility Standards Regulation Policy and training content on an annual basis and update accordingly. Employees will be informed if there are any changes to Intelliware’s Integrated Accessibility Standards Regulation Policy and and be trained accordingly. 

B. Accessibility Standards for Customer Service Policy 

Providing Goods and Services to People with Disabilities 

Intelliware is committed to excellence in serving all customers including people with disabilities by working with customers to accommodate their individual needs, training employees, and incorporating the principles of dignity, independence, integration, and equal opportunity. 

1. Assistive devices 

Should the need arise, we will ensure that our staff is trained and familiarized with various assistive devices that may be used by customers with disabilities while accessing our services/facilitates. 

2. 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 our clients. 

3. Support persons 

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

4. Training for employees 

Intelliware will provide training to employees who deal with the public and/or other third parties on their behalf. All full-time permanent employees, full-time contract employees, and students in the following positions will be trained: 

Executives and Business Development Support Roles: Marketing, Technical Operations, People, Business Operations Project Staff: Delivery Directors, Delivery Managers, Technical Directors, Team Leads, Developers, Quality Assurance Analysts, Business Analysts 

Training includes: 

  • A review of Intelliware’s Accessible Customer Service Plan 
  • An overview of the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act, 2005 and the requirements of the customer service standard 
  • How to interact and communicate with people with various types of disabilities 
  • How to interact with people who use an assistive device, require the assistance of a service animal or a support person 
  • How to utilize assistive devices 
  • What to do if a customer has difficulty accessing Intelliware’s services 

Training for new employees will be completed during the individual’s first week. Records are kept indicating the training date, participants, type of training (on-line or workshop) and the name of the trainer, if applicable. Intelliware uses a credible third-party organization, AccessForward, to provide e-learning to all employees, including policy developers and future trainers/employees. All employees have been trained on how to use devices/equipment on the premises. 

The Health & Safety team will review Intelliware’s Accessibility Standards for Customer Service Policy and training content on an annual basis and update accordingly. Employees will be informed if there are any changes to Intelliware’s Accessibility Standards for Customer Service Policy and be trained accordingly. 

5. Communication 

On request, we will communicate and interact with people with disabilities in ways that take into account their disability and take into consideration the principles of dignity, independence, integration, and equal opportunity. 

6. Meetings 

In order to accommodate customers with disabilities who require mobility aid, meetings with these clients will be held at the customer’s office or a mutually agreed upon alternative location where there are no mobility barriers. 

7. Notice of temporary disruption 

In the event of a planned or unexpected disruption to services or facilities for customers with disabilities, Intelliware will notify customers promptly. A notice will be posted at reception, including information about the anticipated length of time of the disruption, and alternate solutions. The receptionist will work with the individual to develop alternate arrangements (i.e. re-scheduling meeting off-site). 

8. Feedback process 

Customers who wish to provide feedback on how Intelliware provides goods and services to people with disabilities can do so in person, by telephone, email or any other means. All feedback will be directed to our Director, People Team. Complaints will be addressed according to our organization’s regular complaint management procedures and customers can expect to hear back within one week. 

9. Notice of availability and documents (Accessible Formats) 

Our customer service accessibility policy will be posted on our website and upon request, we can provide the policy and other customer documents in a way that accommodates the individual’s needs. 

Our customer service accessibility policy will be posted on our website and upon request, we can provide the policy and other customer documents in a way that accommodates the individual’s needs. 

 Multi-Year Accessibility Plan 

Intelliware is committed to providing an inclusive, accessible, and respectful environment for all persons with disabilities. We strive to meet the accessibility needs of persons with disabilities in ways that take into consideration the principles of dignity, independence, integration, and equal opportunity. Intelliware is committed to ensuring that the regulations and standards of the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act, 2005 (AODA) are observed. 

An accessible Intelliware means: 

    • Persons with disabilities receive quality goods and services in a timely manner. 
    • Information and communications are available in accessible formats to all Intelliware employees, clients and customers. 
    • Persons with disabilities are able to participate fully and meaningfully as Intelliware employees. 
    • Intelliware employees are able to continually identify barriers to accessibility and actively seek solutions to prevent or remove them. 

As part of Intelliware’s commitment to meeting its obligations under AODA, we have developed a multi-year plan which outlines our strategy to prevent and remove barriers and meet the requirements under AODA. Intelliware’s Multi-Year Accessibility Plan will be reviewed and updated at least once every five (5) years, and as required. 

Training 

Intelliware provides training in Ontario’s accessibility laws and aspects of the Ontario Human Rights Code that relate to persons with disabilities to all full-time permanent employees, contractors, students, and/or other third parties. We maintain records of the dates when the training was completed and the individuals who completed the training. 

The Health & Safety team reviews Intelliware’s Accessibility Policy and training content on an annual basis and updates accordingly. Employees will be informed if there are any changes to Intelliware’s Accessibility Policy and be trained accordingly. 

Information and Communications 

Intelliware communicates and interacts with persons with disabilities in ways that take into account their disability and takes into consideration the principles of dignity, independence, integration, and equal opportunity. On request, we will provide information about our organization and its services in accessible formats or with communication supports. Our customer service accessibility policy will be posted on our website and upon request, we can provide the policy and other customer documents in a way that accommodates the individual’s needs. 

To make the www.intelliware.com website as accessible as possible, we have used the World Wide Web Consortium’s Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) 2.1 as our guide. Our website is designed to be WCAG 2.1 level AAA compliant and meets the Province of Ontario’s Accessible Information and Communications Standard (Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act, 2005). 

Employment 

We notify employees, potential hires, and the public that accommodations can be made during the recruitment and hiring process. 

We notify employees that supports are available for those with disabilities. We develop individual accommodation plans for any employee who requires it. Where needed, we provide customized emergency information to help an employee with a disability during an emergency. 

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

Modifications to this or other policies 

Any policy of Intelliware that does not respect and promote the dignity and independence of persons with disabilities will be modified or removed. The Health & Safety team will review Intelliware’s Accessibility Policy and training content on an annual basis and update accordingly. Employees will be informed if there are any changes to Intelliware’s Accessibility Policy and be trained accordingly. 

Feedback process 

Those who wish to provide feedback on how Intelliware provides goods and services to persons with disabilities can do so in person, by telephone, email or any other means. All feedback will be directed to our Director, People Team. Complaints will be addressed according to our organization’s regular complaint management procedures and customers can expect to hear back within one week. 

For more information 

For more information on this accessibility plan, please contact us at: 

Intelliware Development Inc. 
Attn: Director, People Team 
200 Adelaide Street West, Suite 100 
Toronto, ON, M5H 1W7 
Phone: 416-762-0032 
Email: [email protected]