Ontario Accessibility Plan 2017-2021
Last Update: November 6, 2019
Message from the CEO
QuadReal is committed to providing a respectful, welcoming, and inclusive environment to all our colleagues with disabilities and to individuals who seek access to the buildings we manage and the services we provide.
Our organization is also committed to fulfilling the requirements under the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act, 2005 and the regulations under that legislation (“AODA”). This accessibility plan (the “Plan”) outlines the steps QuadReal has taken and is taking to meet those requirements and to improve opportunities for people with disabilities.
Commitment
QuadReal began with a handful of employees in June 2016 and began formal operations in February 2017. There followed two years of tremendous growth as we migrated teams into our operations. As a new company, we are committed to implementing our business systems quickly and effectively, which includes providing accessible customer service in our business, complying with the accessibility requirements relating to the design of public spaces, and ensuring accessibility and accommodation for our colleagues with disabilities.
Training
QuadReal has completed the training required by AODA and will continue to monitor our training programs to ensure they meet requirements to train our Ontario workforce on accessible customer service, the AODA requirements and those of the Ontario Human Rights Code related to persons with disabilities, as soon as practicable upon hire.
Customer Service
QuadReal is committed to ensuring that we provide accessible customer service in our business. In 2017 and 2018, we implemented accessible customer service policies and completed relevant training as noted above. We commit to incorporating the principles of accessibility into all new customer service programs as they are developed.
Information and Communications
QuadReal is committed to making our information and communication accessible to people with disabilities upon request, including information related to emergency procedures, plans and public safety information. To help us accomplish this, in 2017 we developed an accessibility statement and accessibility policies and developed this Plan. We made sure our staff were aware of our accessibility policies through our Employee Policy Manual and new hire communications. This Plan will be posted on our public website.
In 2017 we also audited our managed properties in Ontario to identify how our practices and procedures align with AODA standards as they relate to notices of temporary disruptions. We commit to ensuring that procedures in the buildings we manage include preventative and emergency maintenance of accessible elements in public spaces, and that we use appropriate signage when accessible elements are not in working order.
We review on an ongoing basis the procedures outlining how we address persons with disabilities who request assistance or feedback. Any changes will be attended to as soon as practicable and noted in future updates of this Plan. Currently, all colleagues, customers and the general public can contact us through our QuadReal website, send an email to [email protected] or write to us at our corporate head office (Attention: Accessibility) to provide feedback. We also have in place various avenues through which QuadReal colleagues can provide feedback regarding accessibility and accommodation issues.
In 2017, we informed our communications partners about WCAG 2.0 Level A and AA requirements and the deadlines for compliance under the AODA. We have developed and continue to refine our plan to achieve website accessibility compliance as required under AODA by January 1, 2021.
Employment
QuadReal is committed to accessible employment practices and complying with AODA employment standards.
In addition to the training referenced above, in 2017, we reviewed our Human Resources processes and documentation (including those relating to recruitment, selection, hiring, onboarding, accommodation, workplace emergencies, talent reviews, advancement, etc.) to ensure they were responsive and sensitive to the needs of applicants and colleagues who require accommodation due to disabilities. In addition, we created processes and plans for accommodation following return to work and temporary, ongoing or emergency accommodation. We have built in to our Human Resources information system check points for inviting colleagues to request accommodation, including in the case of emergencies.
We have committed to providing colleagues with information in accessible formats and with communication supports, upon request, as required by AODA.
Going forward, we will continue to monitor the integration of existing accessibility guidelines and best practices throughout the hiring and employee lifecycle, and are committed to (a) incorporating the principles of accessibility into new programs as they are developed, (b) seeking opportunities to promote accessibility in the workplace through education and story telling, (c) continuing to educate colleagues on our workplace and emergency accommodation plans, in collaboration with members of our Ontario and national service teams.
Design of Public Spaces and Self-Service Kiosks
In 2017, we solicited feedback from senior leaders of the properties we manage in Ontario to ensure that QuadReal complies with all applicable AODA requirements related to the design of public spaces. QuadReal has processes in place to ensure AODA compliance for newly constructed or redeveloped public spaces and will complete an audit of these before finalizing AODA reporting, if and as required.
If applicable, QuadReal will also consider accessibility for persons with disabilities when designing, procuring or acquiring self-service kiosks, as required by AODA.
Contact
For further information regarding this Plan or QuadReal’s accessibility policies (or to receive this Plan in accessible format or with communication supports), please contact [email protected].