Last Update: December 12, 2023

Accessibility Plan
2023-2027

A. Our Commitment

QuadReal is committed to providing a respectful, welcoming, and inclusive environment to all employees, tenants, residents, and individuals with and without disabilities. This 2023 to 2027 Accessibility Plan (the “Plan”) is informed by QuadReal’s Accessibility Policy, which is guided by the principles of dignity, independence, integration, and equal opportunity.

The purpose of this Plan is to outline our present actions and future goals as we strive towards increasing accessibility. This Plan is reviewed regularly and updated to ensure we continuously evolve in our pursuit of increasing accessibility for all employees, those we work with, and those we provide services to.

B. Customer Experience

QuadReal ensures that it provides accessible customer service across the entirety of its organization, including the properties it directly manages. On an ongoing basis we help identify barriers to accessible customer service and collect input from our stakeholders through customer satisfaction surveys.

QuadReal plans to establish enhanced training modules that are focused on accessibility education and awareness for customer-facing staff, specific to the work environment. This training program will be implemented in addition to our existing module detailed in section D.

C. Information and Communication

QuadReal has been working towards enhancing its information and communication to be more accessible to people with disabilities including information related to emergency procedures, plans and public safety information. We inform QuadReal employees on an ongoing basis of our accessibility policies and initiatives through our intranet and new hire communications. This Plan is also posted on our public corporate website.

Accessible Websites

To maintain compliance under the AODA for website accessibility, we are working with our partners to ensure that our websites are compliant with WCAG 2.0 Level AA.

Emergency Procedure, Plans or Public Safety Information

If requested by a member of the public, QuadReal will provide emergency procedures, plans and public safety information, in an accessible format with communication supports.

Feedback

We review on an ongoing basis the procedures outlining how we address people with disabilities who request assistance or feedback. Identified areas for improvement will be addressed in a timely manner and incorporated into future updates of this Plan.

Currently, all employees, customers and the general public can contact us as follows:

D. Employment

QuadReal is committed to accommodating prospective, new, and existing employees with disabilities at all stages of the recruitment and employment cycle.

During the recruitment and selection process QuadReal provides candidates with the opportunity to self-identify as a person with a disability to ensure we can offer accommodations for an interview. QuadReal will also arrange for accommodations if a candidate did not self-identify prior to the interview. At the onboarding stage, employees are provided the opportunity to self-identify and if needed, an Individual Accommodation Plan will be developed and can be adjusted when required.

To support our employees, we have built into our Human Resources information system check points for inviting colleagues to request accommodation, including in the case of emergencies.  QuadReal issues a notice to employees regularly, inviting them to confidentially disclose the need for assistance during an emergency evacuation procedure. Once identified, an Individual Accommodation Emergency Plan is created and reviewed annually, at minimum. Our colleagues can be provided with information in accessible formats and with communication supports, upon request.

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:

  • Incorporating the principles of accessibility into new programs as they are developed.
  • Seeking opportunities to promote accessibility in the workplace through education and storytelling.
  • Continuing to educate colleagues on our workplace and emergency accommodation plans.

Accessibility Training

QuadReal’s accessibility training program is a requirement for all colleagues across Canada. Employees are required to undergo the accessibility training upon hire. An outline of the training is described in our Accessibility Policy.

QuadReal plans to update its training program to include information about its upcoming Accessibility Strategy and this updated Plan and Policy to ensure employees are familiar with its vision for accessibility and the future goals set for the organization. This training program will continue to evolve to meet new regulations and best practice standards introduced across the regions where we operate. 

E. Built Environment

Design of Public Spaces

QuadReal has and continues to strive to create and maintain barrier-free environments across its corporate offices and properties, including processes in place that ensure AODA compliance for newly constructed or redeveloped public spaces such as: service counters, fixed queuing lines, waiting areas with fixed seating, on or off-site parking, outdoor eating areas, outdoor paths of travel, and rest areas.

Self-Serve Kiosks

Where applicable, QuadReal will consider accessibility for persons with disabilities when designing, procuring, or acquiring self-service kiosks, as required by the AODA.

Existing Buildings

QuadReal supports the ongoing efforts of its operational teams to assess and improve the accessibility of its existing buildings. Over the past few years, several QuadReal buildings have undergone third-party accessibility reviews using the Rick Hansen Foundation Accessibility Certification (RHFAC) rating system, with the majority having achieved certification.

QuadReal plans to benchmark its domestic portfolio of existing buildings against best practice accessibility criteria. In addition, we will continue working with our partners to develop internal tools to help identify, prevent, and remove barriers for people with disabilities in and throughout the built environment.

Maintenance and Notices of Temporary Disruptions

QuadReal property teams perform regular site inspections to identify barriers to accessibility in public spaces within its directly managed buildings and make corrections where applicable. This includes, identifying obstacles which may impede an individual’s route of travel or affect one’s ability to access goods and services, as applicable to a given location.

In addition, QuadReal site teams adhere to a preventative and emergency maintenance procedure of accessible elements in public spaces, such as wheelchair accessible elevators, automatic door openers, and other location specific features. 

QuadReal will provide notice when there is a temporary disruption to accessible elements in public spaces. This notice will include information about the reason for the disruption, its anticipated duration, and, if applicable, a description of alternative facilities or services that may be available. Notice will be provided by a variety of methods, depending on the circumstances, and may include postings in clearly visible areas such as in the entrances, lobbies, and elevators of our managed buildings.

F. Contact

We welcome feedback on our approach to accessibility, including this Plan, our Policy, and any other accessibility-related matter. To receive this Plan in an accessible format or with communication supports, please contact us. We can provide it in print, large print, audio, electronic format, or other agreed upon formats.