RE/Max Finest Multi-Year Accessibility Plan
Overview
Our Multi-Year Accessibility Plan is intended to outline and identify the policies, processes and plans the company currently has in place, is in the process of developing and/or implementing or intends to develop and/or implement in response to the requirements established by the Integrated Accessibility Standards Regulation (IASR).
RE/MAX Finest takes its obligations under the IASR very seriously and will review and revise this Multi-Year Accessibility Plan annually, or more frequently, as deemed necessary.
Statement of Commitment
RE/MAX Finest is committed to providing a barrier-free environment for all stakeholders, including our clients/customers, employees, job applicants, suppliers, the public and any visitors who may enter our premises, access our information, or use our services. As an organization, we respect and uphold the requirements set forth under the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA) and its associated standards and regulations and will ensure that we offer a safe and welcoming environment that is respectful of each person’s dignity and independence.
The goal of the AODA is the achievement of a fully accessible Ontario through the identification, prevention and removal of barriers. To meet this objective and the requirements under the AODA, RE/MAX Finest has, and will continue to, incorporate accessibility measures into our policies, procedures, training, websites, environment and best practices (as identified in our Multi-Year Accessibility Plan).
The AODA’s key principles of integration, equality, dignity and independence will be applied regardless of whether an individual is:
- Working within or visiting our office;
- Accessing our information;
- Procuring our services and support online or via our phone-in services; or
- Welcoming us into their place of employment.
As an organization, RE/MAX Finest is dedicated to meeting the needs of individuals with disabilities in a timely manner. We understand that providing a barrier-free environment is a shared effort, and as an organization, we are committed to working with the necessary parties to make accessibility a reality for all.
Questions or concerns regarding RE/MAX Finest Accessibility Policy and Multi-Year Accessibility Plan are to be directed to the Human Resources Coordinator or submitted via the company’s AODA Feedback Process. We encourage any individual interested in providing feedback to do so by any of the following means:
Via telephone:
Statement of Commitment
Multi-Year Accessibility Plan: 2013-2016
Accessibility Requirement | Status | Compliance Deadline | Responsibility |
Customer Service | |||
Accessible Customer Service Policy | |||
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Completed/ Ongoing | 01/01/12 | Human Resources (HR)/Department Managers |
- RE/MAX Finest has developed and implemented an Accessible Customer Service Policy specific to the organization. This policy is updated and maintained by the HR department.
- Online training as well as a refresher course have been developed and delivered to all current staff. All new staff are required to participate in and complete an online AODA Customer Service Training* within their first week of employment with the company. Certification/record of completed training is retained by the company’s online training portal.
- RE/MAX Finest has developed and made public a process for receiving and responding to feedback from customers with disabilities. The feedback process is inclusive of multiple means by which feedback can be received, including by phone, TTY, in-person, by E-mail and by written correspondence. Client-facing employees have been informed of and trained on the company’s feedback process.
Part 1 - General Requirements
Accessibility Policies | |||
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Completed/ Ongoing | 01/01/14 | HR |
- RE/MAX Finest has created and made public a statement of commitment. The statement of commitment is located on the company’s website and in the reception area of our office.
- RE/MAX Finest policies and procedures have been reviewed to identify current and future barriers to accessibility. Identified barriers have been addressed and policies amended. An additional Accommodation Policy has been created for internal use to communicate how RE/MAX Finest will meet its requirements under the IASR, and to address employee responsibilities and expectations. The Accommodation Policy has been provided to all employees and will be provided to all new hires as part of their orientation package*.
Multi-Year Accessibility Plan | |||
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Completed/ Ongoing | 01/01/14 | HR Coordinatort |
RE/MAX Finest Action Plan
- All applicable IASR requirements have been reviewed to develop a living Accessibility Plan. Roles of all internal stakeholders have been reviewed to determine how each will be affected by requirements. The Accessibility Plan has been created to include training, procedures and policy development to ensure the identification and removal of barriers. The plan has been approved and is available to the public.
- Requests for accessible formats of this document will be forwarded to the HR Coordinator who will work with the individual to determine the most suitable format.
- This plan will be amended as required and will be reviewed fully by January 1, 2019 and every five (5) years thereafter.
Training | |||
Train all employees, including contract and unpaid mentees/interns on applicable IASR requirements and the organization’s responsibilities under the Human Rights Code (as it pertains to persons with disabilities). | Completed/ Ongoing | 01/01/15 | HR Coordinatort/ Manager of Corporate Training and Development |
RE/MAX Finest Action Plan
- Training* for new employees will be delivered via two (2) online training modules covering all applicable content as required under the IASR:
- Integrated Accessibility Standards -Information/Communication and Employment; and
- Understanding Human Rights Training (AODA edition).
- Prior to January 1, 2015, all current employees will complete the IASR and Human Rights Code training with the HR Coordinator.
- As of January 1, 2015, all new employees (including contract and unpaid positions) will be required to complete the above training as part of their orientation with the company. The Manager of Corporate Training and Development will be responsible for assigning online training and tracking for completion*.
- Certification/record of completed training will be retained via the company’s online training portal.
* Training will also be made available via alternate formats including in-person presentation, as requested.
Part 2 - Information and Communication Standard
Accessible Websites and Web Content | |||
Ensure website and web content published after January 1, 2012 conforms to the World Wide Web Consortium Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) 2.0, level A. | Completed/ Ongoing | 01/01/14 | IT Department/ IT Manager |
RE/MAX Finest Action Plan
- To date, RE/MAX Finest public website and its content meet all requirements under the WCAG 2.0 level A.
- RE/MAX Finest IT department is fully aware of WCAG requirements and will ensure all new content and/or any substantial refreshes to the site conform to established guidelines.
- RE/MAX Finest provides and will continue to provide all online training content with closed captioning functionality which ensures the accessibility of our online content.
Feedback | |||
Upon request, be able to receive and respond to feedback from clients, individuals inquiring about RE/MAX Finest, our employees and members of the public who have a disability. | Completed | 01/01/15 | HR/Department Managers |
RE/MAX Finest Action Plan
- A process for receiving and responding to accessible feedback requests has been developed and communicated to all relevant employees. Currently RE/MAX Finest can facilitate requests via the phone, TTY, E-mail and mail (enlarged text available).
- As feedback may be received by various departments and personnel at RE/MAX Finest, including reception and customer service; training on how to receive and respond to accessible feedback requests has been developed and delivered based on the different positions within the company.
- Receiving and responding to feedback will be included in all new hire orientations where the position frequently receives and responds to requests.
- All other employees will be notified as to the internal party to whom they should direct any accessible feedback requests.
Accessible Formats and Communication Supports | |||
| Ongoing | 01/01/16 | HR/Department Managers |
RE/MAX Finest Action Plan
- Complete an assessment of the ways in which each department provides information to our clients, potential clients and the public (i.e. invoices, sales collateral, customer service, advisory services, etc.).
- Develop guidelines/processes for responding to various requests. Currently, clients and the public may submit a complaint or inquiry through the company Feedback Form.
- Train employees on guidelines/processes and ensure they are aware that requests that cannot be met immediately must be forwarded to the HR Coordinator who will arrange for a suitable and alternative format/communication support. Training to include typical requests that may be encountered, how the request may be facilitated and will be department-specific.
- Make public RE/MAX Finest ability to provide for or arrange for the provision of accessible formats and communication supports by posting a statement on the company website.
Part 3 - Employment Standard
Workplace Emergency Response Information | |||
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Ongoing (based on employee needs) | 01/01/12 | HR/Department Managers |
RE/MAX Finest Action Plan
- Recognizing that most disabilities are invisible or episodic and therefore not readily apparent, the New Hire Contact/Emergency Information Form has been amended to allow employees to identify emergency planning requirements. Emergency planning information and directions are also included in the internal Accommodation Policy which has been provided and communicated to all current employees and provided to all new hires as a part of their orientation package.
- The process for providing emergency information includes alternative formats and will be completed in a timely manner upon receipt of the request or becoming aware of the need for an individualized plan.
- The process/policy used by the HR department to develop an individualized emergency response plan includes the requirement that consent is obtained from the requesting employee to disclose the contents of the plan to the individual required to provide assistance when responding to the emergency or evacuation. The process for obtaining consent also includes obtaining the acknowledgement of the employee designated to provide the assistance that the confidentiality of the individualized plan will be maintained, unless the health and safety of either party is potentially compromised.
- Individualized emergency plans include the requirement that the plan be reviewed:
- If the employee moves to another location within the office that would affect that person’s ability to respond to the emergency or evacuation (the ability of the individual designated to provide assistance, where needed, will also be considered);
- On a recurring timeline, to be established during the creation of the individualized emergency response plan. Factors that are taken into consideration when developing the recurring timeline (i.e. once every six (6) months, annually, etc.) include the nature and severity of the disability as well as its classification of permanent or temporary. A review of the plan will also be initiated if requested by the employee; and
- When the company amends its emergency response and/or evacuation procedures.
Documented Individual Accommodation Plans | |||
| Ongoing | 01/01/16 | HR/Department Managers |
- RE/MAX Finest will develop and implement a written process for the development of documented individual accommodation plans for employees with disabilities. As per IASR requirements, the plan will include the following elements:
- The manner in which an employee requesting accommodation can participate in the development of the accommodation plan;
- RE/MAX Finest will endeavour to ensure the employee is able to actively participate in the development of the accommodation plan. Limitations will be identified and clearly communicated to the employee prior to the development of the plan.
- The means by which the employee is assessed on an individual basis.
- The manner in which RE/MAX Finest can request the participation of a representative from the company in the development of the accommodation plan.
- The steps that will be taken to protect the privacy of the employee’s personal information;
- The content of the accommodation plan will be restricted to only those required to facilitate the plan or supervise the employee. The accommodation plan template will include a section identifying the individuals that will have knowledge of the plan and will require each person to sign an acknowledgement of the confidentiality of its contents.
- The frequency with which the individual accommodation plan will be reviewed and updated and the manner in which it will be done.
- An outline of how the reasons for a denial of an accommodation will be communicated to the requesting employee;
- Employees will be informed of the factors that will be taken into consideration by the company when a request for accommodation is received as well as employer and employee expectations and responsibilities.
- The means of providing the individual accommodation plan in a format that takes into account the employee’s accessibility needs due to a disability;
- Accommodation plan documents will be made available in accessible formats.
- The accommodation plan template will include a section regarding the provision of accessible formats and communication supports to be completed in the event that such supports are required by the employee.
- The accommodation plan will also include an emergency response/evacuation plan if required by the employee.
- The accommodation plan will be created to include a section outlining additional accommodations that are required.
- The manner in which an employee requesting accommodation can participate in the development of the accommodation plan;
Recruitment, Assessment and Selection | |||
| Ongoing | 01/01/16 | HR/Department Managers |
RE/MAX Finest Action Plan
- RE/MAX Finest has an accessibility statement posted on our online Careers page notifying applicants that reasonable accommodations will be made upon request to ensure that individuals with disabilities are able to fully participate in our recruitment efforts. As not all applicants apply through our Careers page, this statement will also be included on future job postings to ensure that it is properly communicated to all potential applicants.
- Successful applicants will be informed of the availability of accommodations relating to RE/MAX Finest selection/assessment processes upon initial contact from the hiring manager or HR Coordinator;
- All assessment methods utilized by the company will be reviewed and alternates developed to facilitate accessibility requests;
- When updating or amending assessment/selection methods, an assessment will be conducted to identify potential barriers and alternative/accessible formats will be developed; and
- Any accommodation request pertaining to the company’s selection/assessment methods that cannot be met with current alternate formats will be forwarded to the HR Coordinator who will work with the individual to develop an acceptable alternative.
- When scheduling interviews, RE/MAX Finest will include a statement in all E-mail confirmations indicating to the applicant that accommodations are available and inviting the applicant to inform the hiring manager/HR Coordinator of any necessary accommodations.
- Our internal Accommodation Policy will be provided to all new hires as part of their orientation package. This policy includes all of the means by which RE/MAX Finest will support employees with disabilities; also included are emergency planning/responses, accessible formats and communication supports, and the availability of accessible performance management, career development and job change processes. Alternative formats of the policy will be made available upon request.
Accessible Formats and Communication Supports for Employees | |||
| Ongoing | 01/01/15 | HR/Department Managers |
RE/MAX Finest Action Plan
- The availability of accessible formats and communication supports has been communicated to all employees through the company’s internal Accommodation Policy. All future employees will be made aware of their availability through the same policy which is provided with the new hire orientation package. RE/MAX Finest has completed a review of information that is provided to employees and the manner in which it is provided. Information that is needed to perform an employee’s job is generally provided via one-on-one or group training sessions whereas information that is generally available in the workplace is typically provided in written policy format available in hardcopy or electronically. Prior to providing the information needed to perform one’s job or information generally available in the workplace, employees requiring accessible formats or communication supports will be requested to notify the HR department so that alternate arrangements may be made.
- Upon receiving a request, the HR department will work with the employee and any individuals responsible for providing the information (for example the employee’s manager, supervisor or team lead) to deliver a suitable accessible format or communication support. Prior to involving the employee’s supervisor, manager or team lead, consent will be obtained from the employee.
Information for Employees | |||
| Ongoing | 01/01/16 | HR |
RE/MAX Finest Action Plan
- RE/MAX Finest Accommodation Policy has been developed. Communication will occur during a weekly employee information session. The policy will then be posted on the company’s health and safety bulletin boards (located on the 5th and 6th floors).
- Provide all new hires with the Accommodation Policy in their new hire package. The policy addresses all of the means by which RE/MAX Finest will support employees with disabilities, including emergency planning/responses, accessible formats and communication supports as well as accessible performance management, career development and job change processes.
- Ensure that all employees are informed of changes to the Accommodation Policy as they occur. Changes will be communicated via E-mail and/or group information sessions. Delivery of information will adhere to RE/MAX Finest Accessible Information and Communication Supports Policy.
Processes to Accommodate Employees/Return to Work Process | |||
Create a process to develop accommodation plans and return to work plans for employees who have been absent from work due to a disability and who require disability-related accommodations in order to return to work. | Ongoing | 01/01/16 | HR |
RE/MAX Finest Action Plan
Assess IASR requirements and develop a template accommodation form and a return to work form that both address all applicable requirements. Use of these updated forms will ensure that all accommodation and RTW plans are properly recorded and retained on file. For consistency, the accommodation plan template will be used in conjunction with RTW processes.
Accessible Performance Management, Career Development and Job Changes | |||
Ensure the organization’s performance management and career development opportunities account for the accessibility needs and plans of employees and that these processes are inclusive and barrier-free. | Ongoing | 01/01/16 | HR |
RE/MAX Finest Action Plan
Evaluate RE/MAX Finest current performance management and career development processes to identify barriers. Develop processes to ensure that such functions are completely accessible. The Accommodation Policy will identify/outline accessible performance management and career progression to ensure consistent and clear communication to all employees.
Redeployment | |||
Take into account the accessibility needs and accommodation plans of employees who are reassigned to an alternate department or position with the company as an alternative to a layoff. | Ongoing | 01/01/16 | HR |
RE/MAX Finest Action Plan
As part of the redeployment process, RE/MAX Finest will incorporate the accessibility needs and accommodation plans of any employee that is being redeployed to an alternate position and/or department. The HR department will oversee the redeployment process; however, new and/or amended reporting hierarchies will be reviewed to determine who is to be involved with and informed of any accessibility plans and requirements.