SIMONS - ACCESSIBILITY POLICY PURPOSE
We are committed to meeting the accessibility needs of people with disabilities in a manner that is consistent with the principles of independence, dignity, integration and equal opportunity for people with disabilities. The purpose of this Policy is to communicate our approach with respect to promoting an accessible environment and removing barriers to accessibility for people with disabilities and to continue to improve accessibility to persons with disabilities in our facilities, policies and processes.
POLICY
We have established this Accessibility Policy (the “Policy”) and an Accessibility Standards for Customer Service Policy to promote an accessible environment and remove barriers to accessibility for people with disabilities and to meet our obligations under Regulation 191/11, “Integrated Accessibility Standards” (the “Regulation”) under the AODA. Our vision for accessibility is that people with disabilities, visible or invisible, are given the same opportunity as others to obtain and benefit from services offered by us. Our goal is to make reasonable efforts to provide services in such a way that the key principles of independence, dignity, integration and equality of opportunity for persons with disabilities are respected. We welcome and encourage all members of our community to collaborate and provide creative input in future initiatives for accessibility.
Application
The Policy applies to every person who provides goods or services to customers of the public and third parties in Ontario on our behalf, whether that person does so as an employee, independent contractor, agent, volunteer, or otherwise. The Policy also applies to every person involved in the development of policies, procedures and practices pertaining to the provision of our goods and services to customers.
PROCEDURES
Multi-Year Accessibility Plan
Our Multi-Year Accessibility Plan outlines our strategies for preventing and removing barriers and meeting our requirements under the AODA regulations. We will post the plan on our website and will provide it in an accessible format upon request. The plan will be reviewed and updated at least once every five years.
Training
We will ensure that training is provided as required to all employees and volunteers, and all persons who participate in developing corporate policies, on the requirements of the accessibility standards referred to in the Regulation and in respect of the Human Rights Code as it pertains to persons with disabilities. Training will be provided as soon as practicable. If any changes are made to this Policy or the requirements, training will be provided to include those changes. We will ensure that others that provide goods, services or facilities on behalf of the company have had training.
INFORMATION AND
COMMUNICATION STANDARDS
Feedback Process
We will ensure that our processes for receiving and responding to feedback are accessible to persons with disabilities by providing or arranging for the provision of accessible formats and with communication supports upon request. We will notify the public about the availability of accessible formats and communication supports.
Accessible Format and Communication Support
We will, upon request, provide or arrange for accessible formats and communication supports for persons with disabilities in accordance with the Regulation as follows:
1. In a timely manner that takes into account
the person's accessibility needs due
to a disability;
2. At a cost that is no more than the regular cost
charged to other persons; and,
3. In consultation with the person making
the request to determine suitability
of an accessible format
or communication support.
We will notify the public about the availability of accessible formats and communication supports.
Unconvertible Information or Communications
If we determine that information or communications are unconvertible, we will provide the person requesting the information or communication with:
1. An explanation as to why the information
or communications are unconvertible; and
2. A summary of the unconvertible information
or communications.
Information or communications
are unconvertible if:
1. It is not technically feasible to convert
the information or communications; or
2. The technology to convert the information
or communications is not readily available.
Emergency Information
If we prepare emergency procedures, plans or public safety information and make the information available to the public, we will provide the information in an accessible format or with appropriate communication supports, as soon as practicable, upon request.
Website Accessibility
Where practicable, and to the extent required by the Regulation, we will make any new internet website and web content on those sites conform with the World Wide Web Consortium Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) 2.0 Level A and Level AA. By December 31, 2022 all internet websites and web content backdated to 2012 will conform with WCAG 2.0 Level AA.
Training Resources and Materials
We will provide training resources or materials in an accessible format that takes into account the accessibility needs of the person with a disability to whom the materials are being provided by:
1. Procuring through purchase or obtaining
by other means an accessible or conversion
ready electronic format, where available; or
2. Arranging for the provision of a comparable
resource in an accessible or conversion ready
electronic format, if educational or training
resources of materials cannot be procured.
We will provide information on program requirements, availability and descriptions in an accessible format to persons with disabilities.
Training to Educators
We will provide educators (those involved in program or course design delivery and instruction) with accessibility awareness training related to accessible program course delivery and instruction. We will keep a record of training, including dates will be provided and the number of individuals to whom it is provided.
AODA Employment Standards
We will comply with the requirements of the Employment Standards in the Regulation. The Employment Standards apply in respect of employees, and not volunteers or other non-paid individuals.
Recruitment
We will notify employees and the public about the availability of accommodations for applicants and employees with disabilities as follows:
1. In our recruitment processes;
2. During the recruitment process, when job
applicants are individually selected
to participate in an assessment or selection
process. If a selected applicant requests
an accommodation, we will consult
with the applicant and provide or arrange
for the provision of a suitable accommodation
in a manner that takes into account
the applicant's accessibility needs due
to disability;
3. If a selected applicant requests
an accommodation, we will consult with
the applicant and provide or arrange
for the provision of a suitable accommodation
in a manner that takes into account
the applicant's accessibility needs due
to disability; and
4. When making offers of employment
to a successful applicant. The successful
applicant will also be notified of our policies
for accommodating employees
with disabilities.
If a selected applicant requests an accommodation, we will consult with the applicant and provide or arrange for the provision of a suitable accommodation in a manner that takes into account the applicant's accessibility needs due to disability.
Employee Notification
We will inform our employees of our policies used to support employees with disabilities, including but not limited to, policies on the provision of job accommodations that take into account an employee's accessibility needs due to a disability. Such information will be provided as follows:
1. To new employees as soon as practicable
after they begin their employment;
2. To existing employees whenever there
is a change to existing policies
on the provision of job accommodations
that take into account an employee's
accessibility needs due to a disability.
Accessible Formats and Communication Supports
Upon request by an employee with a disability, we will consult with the employee to provide or arrange for the provision of accessible formats and communication supports for:
1. Information that is needed in order
to perform the employee's job; and
2. Information that is generally available
to employees in the workplace.
We will consult with the employee making the request in determining the suitability of an accessible format or communication support.
Individual Accommodation Plans (IAP)
We will develop and have in place a written process for developing a documented individual accommodation plan for employees with a disability. The process will include the following elements:
1. The manner in which an employee requesting
accommodation can participate
in the development of the individual
accommodation plan.
2. The means by which the employee is assessed
on an individual basis.
3. The manner in which the employer can
request an evaluation by an outside medical
or other expert, at the employer's expense,
to assist the employer in determining
if accommodation can be achieved and,
if so, how accommodation can be achieved.
4. The manner in which the employee
can request the participation
of a representative from their bargaining
agent, where the employee is represented
by a bargaining agent, or other representative
from the workplace, where the employee
is not represented by a bargaining agent,
in the development of the accommodation
plan.
5. The steps taken to protect the privacy
of the employee's personal information.
6. The frequency with which the individual
accommodation plan will be reviewedbr
and updated and the manner in which
it will be done.
7. If an individual accommodation plan
is denied, the manner in which the reasons
for the denial will be provided
to the employee.
8. The means of providing the individual
accommodation plan in a format that takes
into account the employee's accessibility
needs due to disability.
Return to Work
We will have in place a return to work process for employees who have been absent from work due to a disability and require disability-related accommodation in order to return to work. Such processes shall be documented and must outline the steps that we will take to facilitate the return to work and include an individual accommodation plan.
Performance Management, Career Development and Advancement and Redeployment
Performance management processes related to assessing and improving employee performance, productivity and effectiveness will take into account the accessibility needs of employees with disabilities, as well as individual accommodation plans.
We will take into account the accessibility needs of our employees with disabilities as well as any individual accommodation plans when providing career development and advancement to our employees. Career development and advancement includes providing additional responsibilities within an employee's current position, the movement of an employee from one job to another which may provide greater responsibility and/or compensation, and/or which places the employee at a higher level in the company or any combination of these.
If we need to reassign employees to other departments or jobs within the company as a result of job elimination, we will take into account the accessibility needs of employees with disabilities as well as individual accommodation plans.
Workplace Emergency Response Information
We will provide individualized workplace emergency response information to employees who have a disability, if the disability is such that the individualized information is necessary and that we are aware of the need for accommodation due to the employee's disability. If the employee who receives individual workplace emergency response information requires assistance, and with the employee's consent, we will provide the workplace emergency information to a person designated by us to provide assistance to the employee.
This will be done as soon as practicable after we become aware of the need for accommodation due to the employee's disability. We will review the individualized workplace emergency response information when the employee moves to a different location in the company, when overall accommodation needs or plans are reviewed and when we review our general emergency response policies.
Design of Public Spaces
We will meet the Accessibility Standards for the Design of Public Spaces when building or redeveloping public spaces. Public spaces include, but are not limited to, outdoor public eating areas, outdoor paths of travel, accessible off-street parking and service-related elements such as counters and waiting areas. If we have accessible elements in public spaces, we will develop procedures for preventive and emergency maintenance of those accessible elements, as required by the Regulation. We will also develop procedures for dealing with temporary disruptions of accessible elements as required by the Regulation, should we ever have accessible elements in the future.
Posting/Availability
This Policy is available to the public and will be provided in an accessible format upon request.
Questions
If anyone has questions about this Policy or accessibility plan, or requires this information in an accessible format, please contact us through the following methods:
a) Speaking with a Store Director
b) Contacting Simons
Telephone: 1-877-666-1840
Email: [email protected]
Mail: La Maison Simons Inc.
Customer Service
9205, rue John-Simons
Québec QC G2B 0S6
DEFINITIONS
Accessible Formats may include, but are not limited to, large print, recorded audio and electronic formats, Braille and other formats usable by persons with disabilities.
Communications means the interaction between two or more persons or entities, or any combination of them, where information is provided, sent or received.
Communication Supports may include, but are not limited to, captioning, alternative and augmentative communication supports, plain language, sign language and other supports that
facilitate effective communications.
Information includes data, facts and knowledge that exists in any format, including text, audio, digital or images and that conveys meaning.
Redeployment means the reassignment of employees to other departments or jobs within the organization as an alternative to layoff, when a particular job or department has been eliminated.
Unconvertible means if it is not technically feasible to convert the information or communications. It also means if the technology to convert the information or communications is not readily available.
RESOURCES
Integrated Accessibility Standards–Multi Year Plan
Accessibility Policy–Integrated Accessibility Standards
Accessibility Standards–for Customer Service

Simons Accessibility – Customer Service Policy
We are committed to meeting the accessibility needs of people with disabilities in a manner that is consistent with the principles of independence, dignity, integration and equal opportunity for people with disabilities. The purpose of this Policy is to communicate our approach with respect to promoting an accessible environment and removing barriers to accessibility for people with disabilities.
The Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act and our Commitment
The Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act, 2005 (“AODA”) is an Ontario law that was created to develop, implement and enforce accessibility standards in order to achieve accessibility for Ontarians with disabilities. The integration of the AODA customer service standards into our stores and workplaces will bolster our continued commitment to meeting the accessibility needs of our customers and employees with disabilities.
Application and Scope
The Policy applies to every person who provides goods or services to customers of the public and third parties in Ontario on our behalf, whether that person does so as an employee, independent contractor, agent, volunteer, or otherwise. The Policy also applies to every person involved in the development of policies, procedures and practices pertaining to the provision of our goods and services to customers.
Providing Goods and Services to Ontarians with Disabilities
We are committed to using reasonable efforts to:
a) Provide goods and services in a manner
that respects the dignity and independence
of persons with disabilities;
b) Provide goods and services in a manner
that enables a person with a disability
to obtain, use or benefit from our goods
and services; and
c) Provide persons with disabilities with
an opportunity equal to that given to others
to obtain, use and benefit from our goods
and services.
Communications
When communicating with a person with a disability, we are committed to doing so in a manner that takes into account the person's disability.
Assistive Devices
We welcome the use of assistive devices by persons with disabilities in order to obtain, use or benefit from our goods and services. Some examples of assistive devices are canes, walkers, wheelchairs, and oxygen tanks.
Service Animals
We welcome people with disabilities and their service animals.
a)An animal is a service animal for a person
with disability:
• If it is readily apparent that the animal
is used by the person for reasons relating
to his or her disability; or,
• If the person provides a letter from
a physician or nurse confirming that
the person requires the animal for reasons
relating to the disability.
b) People with disabilities are allowed to use
their service animals in the parts of our stores
that are open to the public or to third parties,
unless the animal is otherwise excluded
by law from the stores.
c) If a service animal is excluded by law from
our stores, then we will ensure that other
measures are available to enable the person
with a disability to obtain, use or benefit from
our goods and services.
d) Service animals must be in the care
and control of the individual at all times.
Support Persons
We welcome people with disabilities and their support persons.
a) A support person is a person who
accompanies a person with a disability
in order to help with communication, mobility,
personal care or medical needs, or with access
to goods or services.
b) Any person with a disability
who is accompanied by a support person
is permitted to access our stores in the same
way as any other customer.
Notice of Temporary Disruption
In the event of a planned or unexpected disruption to services or facilities for customers with disabilities, we will notify customers promptly with a clearly posted notice. The notice will include information about the reason for the disruption, its anticipated duration and a description of available alternative facilities or services, if any.
Accessibility Training
Any person who interacts with the public or who participates in developing policies, practices and procedures will receive training on an ongoing basis, including information on how to serve persons with disabilities. Training topics will include:
a) An overview of the AODA
and the requirements of the customer service
standards set out in the AODA regulations;
b) Instruction on how to interact
and communicate with people
with disabilities;
c) Instruction on how to interact with people
with disabilities who use assistive devices
or require the assistance of a service animal
or a support person;
d) Instruction on how use equipment or devices
available on-site (if any) or otherwise,
that may help with providing services
to clients with disabilities; and,
e) Instruction on what to do if a person with
a disability is having difficulty accessing
our goods and services.
Feedback Process
We welcome feedback on how we provide accessible customer service. Comments can be addressed through the following methods:
a) Speaking with a Store Director
b) Contacting Simons
Telephone: 1-877-666-1840
Email : [email protected]
Mail: La Maison Simons Inc.
Customer Service
9205, rue John-Simons
Québec QC G2B 0S6
Availability of AODA Documents
We will give a copy of AODA documents upon request. In the event that we are to provide a copy of an AODA documents to a person with a disability, we will give the person the document, or the information contained in the document, in a format that takes into account the person's disability.

GENERAL

REQUIREMENT
ESTABLISHMENT OF
ACCESSIBILITY POLICIES

DESCRIPTION
A. Develop, implement and maintain
polices governing how we achieve
or will achieve accessibility
through meeting the requirements
of the integrated accessibility
standards.
B. Statement of organizational
commitment to meeting the
accessibility needs of persons with
disabilities in a timely manner.
C. Prepare one or more written
documents describing the policies
and make the policies publicly
available and provide them in an
accessible format upon request.

STATUS
Completed

COMPLIANCE DATE
Jan 1 2014

REQUIREMENT
ACCESSIBILITY PLANS

DESCRIPTION
A. Establish, implement, maintain and
document a multi- year accessibility
plan, which outlines our strategy to
prevent and remove barriers and
meet requirements of the integrated
accessibility standards.
B. Post the accessibility plan on our
website and provide the plan in an
accessible format upon request.
C. Review and update the accessibility
plan at least once every five years.

STATUS
Completed

COMPLIANCE DATE
Jan 1 2014

REQUIREMENT
SELF-SERVE KIOSKS

DESCRIPTION
A. Have regard to the accessibility for
persons with disabilities when
designing, procuring or acquiring
self-service kiosks.

STATUS
Completed

COMPLIANCE DATE
Jan 1 2014

REQUIREMENT
TRAINING

DESCRIPTION
A. Provide training on the requirements
of the accessibility standards
referred to in the integrated
standards regulation and the Human
Rights Code as it pertains to persons
with disabilities to:
• All employees and volunteers
• All persons who participate in
developing the organization's policies
• All other persons who provide
goods, services or facilities on
behalf of our company
B. The training required is appropriate
to the duties of employees,
volunteers and other persons
C. Training is done as soon as
practicable
D. Training is provided on changes to
policies and on an ongoing basis
E. Training records are maintained for
all training, including the date of
training and the number of
individuals in attendance.

STATUS
Prepared and ongoing

COMPLIANCE DATE
Jan 1 2015

INFORMATION AND COMMUNICATIONS STANDARDS

REQUIREMENT
FEEDBACK

DESCRIPTION
A. Ensure our processes for receiving
and responding to feedback are
accessible to person with disabilities
by providing or arranging for
accessible formats and
communication supports upon
request.
B. Notify the public about the
availability of accessible formats and
communication supports.

STATUS
Completed

COMPLIANCE DATE
Jan 1 2015

REQUIREMENT
ACCESSIBLE FORMATS AND COMMUNICATION SUPPORTS

DESCRIPTION
A. Upon request provide or arrange for
accessible formats and
communication supports for persons
with disabilities.
• Provide in a timely manner that
takes into account the person's accessibility needs due to
disability
• Provide at a cost that is no more
than the regular cost charged to
other persons.
B. Consult with the person making the
request to determine the suitability
of an accessible format or
communication support.
C. Notify the public about the
availability of accessible formats and
communication supports.

STATUS
Completed

COMPLIANCE DATE
Jan 1 2016

REQUIREMENT
EMERGENCY PROCEDURES,
PLANS OR PUBLIC SAFETY INFO

DESCRIPTION
A. Upon request provide in an
accessible format or with appropriate
communication supports, our
emergency procedures, plans or
public safety information that we
make available to the public.

STATUS
Completed

COMPLIANCE DATE
Jan 1 2012

REQUIREMENT
ACCESSIBLES WEBSITES
& WEB CONTENT

DESCRIPTION
A. Ensure the websites and web content
conform with the World Wide Web
Consortium Web Content
Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) 2.0:
• Level A
• Level AA

STATUS
In progress

COMPLIANCE DATE
January 1, 2014
(Level A)
January 1, 2021
(Level AA)

EMPLOYMENT STANDARDS

REQUIREMENT
RECRUITMENT -
GENERAL

DESCRIPTION
A. Notify employees and the public
about the availability of
accommodations for applicants
with disabilities in the
recruitment process.

STATUS
Completed

COMPLIANCE DATE
1 janv 2016

REQUIREMENT
RECRUITMENT, ASSESSMENT
OR SELECTION PROCESS

DESCRIPTION
A. During recruitment process, notify
job applicants, when they are
individually selected to participate in
an assessment or selection process
that accommodations are available
upon request in relation to the
materials or processes to be used.
B. If the selected applicant requests
accommodation, consult with the
applicant and provide or arrange for
the provision of a suitable
accommodation in a manner that
takes into account the applicant's
accessibility needs.

STATUS
Completed

COMPLIANCE DATE
1 janv 2016

REQUIREMENT
NOTICED TO SUCCESSFUL APPLICANTS

DESCRIPTION
A. When making offers of employment,
notify the successful applicant of our
policies for accommodating
employees with disabilities.

STATUS
Completed

COMPLIANCE DATE
1 janv 2016

REQUIREMENT
INFORMING EMPLOYEES
OF SUPPORTS

DESCRIPTION
A. Inform employees of our policies
used to support employees with
disabilities.
B. Provide the above information as
soon as practicable after the
employee begins employment.
C. Provide updated information to
employees whenever there is a
material change to existing policies
on the provision of job
accommodations.

STATUS
Completed

COMPLIANCE DATE
1 janv 2016

REQUIREMENT
ACCESSIBLE FORMATS & COMMUNICATION SUPPORTS FOR EMPLOYEES

DESCRIPTION
A. Upon request, consult with an
employee to provide or arrange for
the provision of accessible formats
and communication supports for
information needed to perform
employees job and information
generally available to employees in
the workplace.

STATUS
Completed

COMPLIANCE DATE
1 janv 2016

REQUIREMENT
WORKPLACE EMERGENCY
RESPONSE INFORMATION

DESCRIPTION
A. Provide individualized workplace
emergency response information to
employees who have a disability, if
the disability is such that the
individualized information is
necessary and the employer is aware
of the need for accommodation due
to the employee's disability.
B. If the employee provides consent,
provide the employee's individualized
workplace emergency response
information to another person
designated by the employer to
provide assistance to the employee.
C. Review the individualized workplace
emergency response information
when:
• The employee moves to a
different work location
• The employee's overall
accommodation needs or plans
are reviewed
• When the employer reviews its
general emergency response
information

STATUS
Completed

COMPLIANCE DATE
1 janv 2012

REQUIREMENT
DOCUMENTED INDIVIDUAL ACCOMMODATION PLANS

DESCRIPTION
A. Develop and have in place a written
process for the development of
documented individual
accommodation plans for employees
with disabilities that includes all of
the considerations set out in section
28(2) and (3) of the integrated
accessibility standards.

STATUS
Completed

COMPLIANCE DATE
1 janv 2016

REQUIREMENT
RETURN TO WORK PROCESS

DESCRIPTION
A. Develop and have a documented
return to work process for
employees who have been absent
from work due to a disability and
who require disability-related
accommodations in order to return
to work.
B. Ensure the return to work process
outlines the steps that will be taken
to facilitate the employee's return to
work and that it uses documented
individual accommodation plans, if
any.

STATUS
Completed

COMPLIANCE DATE
1 janv 2016

REQUIREMENT
PERFORMANCE MANAGEMENT

DESCRIPTION
A. Take into account the accessibility
needs of employees with disabilities,
as well as individual accommodation
plans, when applying our
performance management process.

STATUS
Completed

COMPLIANCE DATE
1 janv 2016

REQUIREMENT
CAREER DEVELOPMENT
& ADVANCEMENT

DESCRIPTION
A. Take into account the accessibility
needs of employees with disabilities
as well as any individual
accommodation plans, when
providing opportunities for career
development and advancement to
employees with disabilities.

STATUS
Completed

COMPLIANCE DATE
1 janv 2016

REQUIREMENT
REDEPLOYMENT

DESCRIPTION
A. Take into account the accessibility
needs of employees with disabilities,
as well as individual accommodation
plans, when redeploying employees
with disabilities.

STATUS
Completed

COMPLIANCE DATE
1 janv 2016

DESIGN OF PUBLIC SPACES STANDARDS

REQUIREMENT
DESIGN OF PUBLIC SPACES STANDARDS

DESCRIPTION
A. We will focus on removing barriers in
our buildings and public spaces.
B. New construction and renovations
will reflect updated accessibility
requirements as outlined by
Ontario's Building Code.
C. Public Spaces will be redesigned to
meet accessibility standards where
there is new construction and major
changes to existing facilities,
including (where applicable):
• Recreational trails/beach access
routes
• Outdoor public eating areas
• Outdoor play spaces
• Outdoor paths of travel, like
sidewalks, ramps, stairs, curb
ramps, rest areas and accessible
pedestrian signals
• Accessible off-street parking
• Service-related elements like
service counters, fixed queuing
lines and waiting areas
• Maintenance and restoration of
public spaces

STATUS
Completed

COMPLIANCE DATE
1 janv 2017

COMPLIANCE

REQUIREMENT
COMPLIANCE REPORTING

DESCRIPTION
A. Ensure we file online compliance
reports in accordance with the
schedule established under
integrated standards regulation.

STATUS
Completed

COMPLIANCE DATE
Ongoing

REQUIREMENT
MULTI-YEAR PLAN REVIEW
AND UPDATE

DESCRIPTION
A. This plan will be reviewed and
updated at a minimum of once every
five (5) years.

STATUS
Completed

COMPLIANCE DATE
Ongoing
