Policy

Providing Goods and Services to People with Disabilities

DEW Engineering and Development ULC is committed to the highest level of service to all employees, visitors and customers including those with disabilities. We are committed to treating people with disabilities in a way that allows them to maintain their dignity and independence. We believe in integration, and we are committed to meeting the needs of people with disabilities in a timely manner. We will do so by removing and preventing barriers to accessibility and meeting our accessibility requirements under the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act and Ontario’s accessibility laws.

Communication

We are committed to communicating with people with disabilities in ways that take into account their disability. Upon request, DEW Engineering will arrange for the provision of accessible formats and communication supports for persons with disabilities.

Assistive Devices

DEW has trained its staff to ensure they are familiar with various assistive devices that could be made available as required to our employees, visitors or customers with disabilities while accessing our goods and/or services.

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 the public.

Support Persons

A person with a disability who is accompanied by a support person will be allowed to have that person accompany them on our premises. No fee will be charged to the support person for admission to DEW’s premises.

Notice of Temporary Disruption

In the event of a planned or unexpected disruption to services or facilities for employees, visitors or customers with disabilities, DEW will notify affected individuals promptly. Clearly communicated notice will include information about the reason for the disruption, its anticipated length of time, and a description of alternative facilities or services, if available. Notices will be provided in a manner that is reasonable under the circumstances, with consideration given to the disability(s) of customers who access the disrupted service or facility.

Training

DEW provides training to employees, contractors and others who deal with the public or other third parties on our behalf. This training is provided to staff at the commencement of their employment and includes:

  • An overview of the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act and the requirements of the accessibility standard.
  • Our plan related to the accessibility standard.
  • How to interact and communicate with people with various types of disabilities.
  • How to interact with people with disabilities who use an assistive device or require the assistance of a service animal or a support person.
  • How to use typical equipment that might be provided to assist our customers or visitors with disabilities.
  • What to do if a person with a disability is having difficulty in accessing DEW’s goods and services.

Staff will also be trained when changes are made to our service plan.

Employment

We will notify employees, potential hires and the public that accommodations can be made during recruitment and hiring. 
We will notify employees that supports are available for those with disabilities and that there is a process to develop individual accommodation plans.

Feedback Process

Employees, visitors or customers who wish to provide feedback on the way we provide goods and services to people with disabilities can provide feedback via our customer contact page on our website, verbally or via Email. All feedback, including complaints, will be reviewed by our Compliance department and a response provided within 10 business days. 

Modifications to this or other policies    
Any of our policies found to not respect and promote the dignity and independence of people with disabilities will be modified or removed.

Accomplished tasks

DEW created an accessibility policy and this multi-year plan to ensure that we achieved our accessibility goals. Progress towards achieving our goals is reflected in this document which is updated as we progress.

DEW communicated this plan’s contents to our employees and later made it available on our accessibility compliant website such that all our stakeholders would know what to expect. By December 31st, 2015, DEW Engineering had taken all required steps and trained our staff on the accessibility requirements which apply to their job duties and our organization to better serve customers of all abilities.

DEW welcomes service animals and support persons and we have implemented accessible ways for our stakeholders to provide feedback. Recognizing that the abilities of our stakeholders vary, DEW provides feedback on our efforts through various means. When asked or where we become aware that accommodation may be necessary, DEW provides accessible and customized emergency information, such as evacuation plans or brochures.

DEW has and will continue to ensure that its employment practices foster the hiring, development, and retention of the best talent regardless of any disability. Furthermore, we have developed and documented our processes for developing individual accommodation and return-to-work plans.

Ongoing Maintenance

As required by the Act, DEW recognizes the need to maintain its training program for new recruits as well as its hiring and workplace accommodations.    
Designated accessible infrastructure such as parking areas, washrooms and automatic doors are maintained on an ongoing basis. When these are unavailable, alternate accommodation is provided for. 

Additional Steps

Planned building updates to improve accessibility for people who use mobility aids have been completed. DEW’s reception area now includes a low counter area to allow easy interaction with the person providing service as well as automatic door openers. Further enhancements to ground floor washrooms to better meet the needs of people with disabilities have also been completed.

Reviewed 2023.12.01