Intent
This accessibility plan outlines the strategy of Real Food For Real Kids Inc. to prevent and remove barriers for people with disabilities and comply with the requirements of the Integrated Accessibility Standards Regulation under the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act, 2005.
Statement of Commitment
Real Food For Real Kids Inc. is 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. 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.
Upon request, the organization will also provide a copy of the Multi-Year Accessibility Plan in an alternative accessible format.
Multi-year Accessibility Plan
This plan is in effect from 2023 to 2028.
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 a different accessible format, please contact the Talent, Training & Culture department at [email protected]
Accessible Emergency Information
Real Food for Real Kids is committed to providing the customers and clients with publicly available emergency information in an accessible way upon request. We will also provide employees with disabilities with individualized emergency response information when necessary.
Training
Real Food for Real Kids will provide training to employees, volunteers and other staff members on Ontario’s accessibility laws and on the Human Rights Code as it relates to people with disabilities. Training will be provided in a way that best suits the duties of employees, volunteers and other staff members. Real Food for Real Kids will take the following steps to ensure employees are provided with the training needed to meet Ontario’s accessible laws:
- Accessibility training will be conducted for all employees as a part of their onboarding process.
- Training is tracked as per our current tracking system.
- We will update all of our employees on an annual basis on any changes to our accessibility policy.
Information and Communications
Real Food for Real Kids 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. Real Food for Real Kids has taken the following steps to make all new websites and content on those sites conform with WCAG 2.0, Level A:
- Our website currently conforms to WCAG 2.0, Level A standards
Real Food for Real Kids has taken the following steps to ensure existing feedback processes are accessible to people with disabilities:
- Upon request, we accommodate feedback in a variety of formats including telephone, email, mail and in-person communication.
Real Food for Real Kids will take the following steps to make sure all publicly available information is made accessible upon request by January 1, 2016.
- Informing the public that we will make information accessible upon request.
- Consult with individuals who request accessible information to figure out how to meet their needs in a timely manner.
Real Food for Real Kids has taken steps to make all websites and content conform with WCAG 2.0, Level AA:
- Our website currently conforms to WCAG 2.0, Level AA standards.
Employment
Real Food for Real Kids is committed to fair and accessible employment practices. We will take the following steps to notify the public and staff that, when requested, will accommodate people with disabilities during the recruitment and assessment processes and when people are hired.
- Let job applicants know that we will accommodate disabilities during the selection process.
- If a job applicant requests accommodation, consult with them and make adjustments that best suit their needs.
- Notify successful applicants of our policies for accommodating employees with disabilities
Real Food for Real Kids conducts two annual employee engagement surveys as well as a Diversity, Equity & Inclusion survey that is provided to all new employees upon hire and is available for resubmission throughout the course of employment. Through survey result analysis, we are able to develop action plans that help us to continue to foster a culture of accessibility, inclusion, and belonging.
Accommodation Plans
Real Food for Real Kids will take the following steps to develop and put in place a process for developing individual accommodation plans and return-to-work policies for employees that have been absent due to a disability
We have a written process for the development of documented individual accommodation plans for employees with disabilities. Information regarding accessible formats and communications supports provided will also be included in individual accommodation plans. In addition, the plans will include an individualized workplace emergency response plan (when required), and will identify any other accommodation that is to be provided. We will make changes to the plan whenever the employee’s location changes and when the employee’s accommodations are reviewed.
Return-to-work Policy
- Develop individual accommodation plans and return-to-work policies for employees that have been absent due to a disability.
- Outline the steps we will take to help our employees return to work when they:
- have been absent because of a disability, and
- need some form of disability-related accommodation to return to work
We will take the following steps to ensure the accessibility needs of employees with disabilities are taken into account if Real Food for Real Kids is using performance management, career development and redeployment processes.
- Make performance management accessible by:
- Reviewing our employees’ accommodation plans to understand their needs and see whether we need to make adjustments to help them succeed,
- Making performance management documents, such as performance plans, available in accessible formats, such as large print, when asked,
and; - Providing feedback and coaching our employees in a way that is accessible to them, such as using plain language for an employee who has a learning disability.
When we provide career development opportunities, we consider what accommodations our employees with disabilities may need to:
- learn new skills, or;
- take on more responsibilities in their current position;
- consider what we could do to help our employees with disabilities succeed in other positions in our organization when they change jobs.
Real Food for Real Kids will take steps to prevent and remove any other accessibility barriers as identified by the public, employees, and clients of RFRK as required and requested.
Design of Public Spaces
Real Food for Real Kids will meet the Accessibility Standards for the Design of Public Spaces when building or making major modifications to public spaces.
Public spaces include:
- Accessible off street parking
- Service-related elements like service counters, fixed queuing lines and waiting areas
Real Food for Real Kids will put the following procedures in place to prevent service disruptions to its accessible parts of its public spaces. In the event of a service disruption, we will notify the public of the service disruption and alternatives available.
For More Information
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 a different accessible format, please contact the Talent, Training & Culture department at [email protected] or 416-410-5437 ext. 123.
RFRK will make any written information and other forms of communication accessible, upon request, as per the Customer Service standard of the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA).