Accessibility

Global Pet Foods

Global Pet Foods is committed to providing an environment that follows the principles of dignity, independence, integration, and equal opportunity as outlined by the Accessibility Standards for Customer Service.

Our goal is to create and maintain an atmosphere that everyone can feel comfortable and welcome in, regardless of a disability.

This policy shall apply to all employees, visitors, suppliers, and guests. Furthermore, this policy will apply at locations outside of the workplace such as a work-related event.

In accordance with the Accessibility Standards for Customer Service, this policy addresses the following:

1. The Provision of Goods and Services to Persons with Disabilities
2. The Use of Assistive Devices
3. The Use of Guide Dogs, Service Animals and Service Dogs
4. The Use of Support Persons
5. Notice of Service Disruptions
6. Client/Guest Feedback
7. Training
8. Notice of Availability and Format of Required Documents
9. Integrated Accessibility Standard

A. The Provision of Goods and Services to Persons with Disabilities

Global Pet Foods Inc. will make every reasonable effort to ensure that its policies, practices, and procedures are consistent with the principles of dignity, independence, integration, and equal opportunity by:

• Ensuring that all customers and visitors receive the same value and quality
• Allowing customers and visitors with disabilities to do things in their own ways, at their own pace when accessing goods and services as long as this does not present a safety risk
• Using alternative methods, when possible, to ensure that customers and visitors with disabilities have access to the same services, in the same place and in a similar manner
• Considering individual needs when providing goods and services; and
• Communicating in a manner that takes into account the customer and visitor’s disability.

B. Assistive Devices

Persons with disabilities may use their own assistive devices as required when in any Global Pet Foods store, or office.

C. Guide Dogs, Service Animals and Service Dogs

Any person with a disability that is accompanied by a guide dog, service animal or service dog will be allowed access to our stores or corporate offices.

The customer and visitor with the disability requiring the guide dog, service animal or service dog will be responsible for maintaining care and control of the animal at all times.

D. Support Persons

Support persons are welcome in all stores or offices.

E. Notice of Disruptions in Service

Service disruptions may occur due to reasons that may or may not be within the control or knowledge of Global Pet Foods, however we will do our best to minimize the impact these disruptions may have on our customers.

In the event of any temporary disruption to our automatic doors, ramps, or other services that customers and visitors with disabilities rely on to access; Global Pet Foods will post a Notice of Service Disruption which will be:

• Posted on the entrances to the facility
• Posted at the source of the disruption (such as on the ramp)
• Posted on the website
• Where the organization may be aware of an appointment or meeting, make reasonable efforts to contact the individual in advance and advise them of the disruption.

Notifications of a disruption in service will include:

• The services that are disrupted or unavailable
• The reason for the disruption
• The anticipated duration
• Description of alternative services or options

F. Feedback Process

Global Pet Foods will provide customers or visitors with the opportunity to provide feedback on the service provided to customers or visitors with disabilities. Information about the feedback process will be readily available to all customers and visitors and a notice of the process will be made available by postings throughout each store or office. Customers or visitors may also advise any staff member that they would like to provide feedback, and that staff member will provide them with options for doing so.

Submitting Feedback

Feedback forms either handwritten or typed may be submitted on site, by mail, through our website or via email and can be addressed to:

Moh Selo Controller 294 Walker Drive, Brampton Ontario, L6T 4Z2 Telephone: 905-790-7059 Ext. 261 Email: mselo@globalbancorp.ca

Customer or visitors that wish to provide verbal feedback onsite may do so with any management member. Customers or visitors that provide formal feedback will receive acknowledgement of their feedback, along with any resulting actions based on concerns or complaints that were submitted.

G. Training

Global Pet Foods will provide training to all staff, volunteers, contactors and agents working on behalf of the organization at hire or the onset of the respective contract. Global Pet Foods will maintain copies of all training records as required by legislation.

Training will include;

• a review of this policy
• A review of the purpose of the Accessibility legislation.
• A review of the requirements of the Accessibility Standards for Customer Service, and the Integrated Accessibility Standard
• Instructions on how to interact and communicate with people with various types of disabilities.
• Instructions on how to interact with people with disabilities who:
  • use assistive devices;
  • require the assistance of a guide dog, service dog or other service animal; or
  • require the use of a support person
• Instructions on how to use equipment or devices that are available at our premises or that we provide that may help people with disabilities.
• Instructions on what to do if a person with a disability is having difficulty accessing our services.

All employees and volunteers will also be required to complete the “Working together: The Code and the AODA” training at hire or the onset of the respective contract, which can be found at http://www.ohrc.on.ca/en/learning/working-together-code-and-aoda. Employees and volunteers requiring accommodation for this training will be provided accommodation specific to their needs.

H. Notice of Availability and Format of Documents

Global Pet Foods will notify customers and visitors that the documents related to the Accessibility Standard for Customer Service are available upon request and will be made accessible in a format that takes into account the customer or visitor’s disability.

This policy and its related procedures will be reviewed and updated as required in the event of legislative changes.

I. Integrated Accessibility Standard

Global Pet Foods is committed to ensuring equal access to information and communications, employment opportunities, transportation and the design of public spaces that are consistent with the principles outlined in the Accessibility Standard for Customer Service, dignity, independence, integration, and equal opportunity.

Procurement

All accessibility criteria features will be incorporated when procuring or acquiring goods or services.

Self-Service Kiosks

Global Pet Foods does not have any self-service kiosks at any of its locations. This section is currently not applicable.

Information and Communications

a) Accessible Formats and Communication Supports

All documents, notices and communications will be made accessible in through various formats to accommodate persons with disabilities. Forms of accommodation will vary depending on the situation, however they may include large print, electronic formats, and recorded audio where available. Global Pet Foods will consult individuals requiring the accommodation to identify the best solution.

b) Emergency Procedures, Plans or Public Safety Information

As identified in the Integrated Standards Regulation, Global Pet Foods will provide the emergency procedures of each location in accessible formats, with appropriate communication to all employees, volunteers, visitors, customers and contractors. This includes emergency evacuation plans, and workplace emergency response plans

c) Accessible Websites and Web Content

Global Pet Foods will ensure our websites are in compliance with the World Wide Web Consortium Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) 2.0, Level AA.

Employment Opportunities

Global Pet Foods is committed to providing persons with disabilities equal opportunities regarding all employment activities including;

• Recruitment, assessment and selection
• Accessible formats and communication supports for employees
• Workplace emergency response information
• Documented individual accommodation plans
• Return to work process
• Performance management
• Career development and advancement
• Redeployment

a) Recruitment, Assessment and Selection

Global Pet Foods includes the following wording on all job postings;

Global Pet Foods is committed to providing persons with disabilities equal opportunities, including access to jobs and accommodations during employment as required, in accordance with legislation.

Applicants that are selected for the recruitment process will be asked if they require any accessibility accommodation, and accommodations will be implemented as necessary.

Applicants who are selected for employment will have the following wording included in their employment offer:

Global Pet Foods is committed to providing persons with disabilities equal opportunities, including access to jobs and accommodations during employment as required, in accordance with legislation. Should you require accommodation at any point throughout your employment with us, please speak with your manager.

b) Accessible Formats and Communication Supports for Employees

Global Pet Foods will provide all policies, procedures, newsletters, emails, memos etc. in accessible formats to employees, volunteers, and contractors as requested.

Employees, volunteers or contractors requiring accommodation should speak with their supervisor or manager so an individual accommodation plan can be developed. Once Global Pet Foods has been made aware of an employees (volunteers or contractors) requiring accessible formats and communication supports, we will ensure we consult with those individuals to determine the suitability of accessible formats and communication supports for the information the employee (volunteer or contractor ill need to complete their job, as well as information that is generally available to employees.

c) Workplace Emergency Response Information

As outlined above, all employees, volunteers or contractors requiring accommodation will be provided with workplace emergency evacuation plans, and workplace emergency response plans in an accessible manner. These individuals will also be provided with individualized workplace emergency evacuation plans, and individualized workplace emergency response plans in an accessible manner. These plans will be developed as soon as we are made aware of an employee, volunteer or contractor who requires accommodation.

A designated person will also be assigned to assist persons requiring accommodation during an emergency. The employee (visitor or contractor)’s emergency evacuation plan and emergency response plan will be communicated to the designated person, so they are aware of their role during an emergency.

These individualized plans will be reviewed with the employee requiring accommodation as well as their designated person when

• The employee removes to a different location in the organization, (this may include a different person being assigned as a designated person, in this case the new designated person will have the plans communicated with them).
• The employees accommodation plans and needs are reviewed, and
• When general emergency response policies are reviewed.

d) Documented Individual Accommodation Plans

Employees requiring individual accommodation plans can request one in writing or by speaking with their supervisor or manager.

Once an employee has advised management that they require an individual accommodation plan, management will discuss with the employee, identify suitable options and seek an outside medical expert, if required, to assist in the accommodation plan.

Employees will be assessed on an individual basis, with information collected based on the employee’s functional ability, not the nature of the disability.

All accommodation requests will be handled with discretion, confidentiality, and information will only be disclosed to those who require information to assist in the accommodation process.

Employees may ask for another workplace representative to participate in the process.

An accommodation plan will include:

• What accommodations will be provided
• How to make information accessible to the employee, including accessible formats and communication supports.
• Individualized workplace emergency information and/or emergency response plans, if applicable.
• An outline of when the plan will be reviewed and updated, (as employees needs change or annually).

Employees will be provided with copies of their accommodation plan, in a format that takes into account their accessibility needs.

If for any reason a request for accommodation is denied, management will consult with the employee and will provide reasons for the denial. Employees will also be provided with a written report as to why the accommodation was denied, in an accessible format if required.

e) Return to Work Process

Where an employee has been absent from work due to a disability, Global Pet Foods will make every reasonable effort to facilitate their return to work, and develop an individual accommodation plan as necessary.

Employees returning to work who require disability related accommodation (if not already known by their manager) should speak with their manager. The manager will provide the employee with return to work information to support their return.

Global Pet Foods will make every reasonable effort to assist the employee in

• Returning to their original position
• Returning to their original position with accommodation on a temporary or permanent basis.
• Returning to an alternate position in the workplace on a temporary or permanent basis.

Global Pet Foods will consult with the employee to discuss suitable options and accommodations including analyzing demands of tasks, and position requirements. This process will be documented. This will begin the individualized accommodation process as identified above.

Employees will be responsible to

• Follow their treatment plans
• Provide Global Pet Foods updates on their progress and functional abilities’ (or changes to their functional abilities) as it relates to their ability to perform their job.
• Provide their health care provider with return to work information.

f) Performance Management and Career Development and Advancement

Global Pet Foods will take into account any accessibility needs of employees with disabilities, as well as individual accommodation plans when assessing performance and career development/advancement. When changes occur, accommodation plans will be reviewed to ensure they are still suitable.

Design of Public Spaces

Any changes to public spaces, building structures, and related policies will include accessibility requirements as referred to in the Integrated Accessibility Standards Regulation.

Global Pet Foods is very proud of the space it owns and occupies. We will make every reasonable effort to ensure proper maintenance (and preventative maintenance) of accessible spaces including ramps, accessible doors, washrooms, parking areas etc.

Training

All staff, volunteers and contractors will be trained on our accessibility policies (including the integrated standard) within 1 month of the policy being issued or reviewed, and this will be included in orientation moving forward.

This policy is available in other accessible formats on request. Contact the person listed under Feedback Process.