Accessibility

Accessibility for Ontarians with disabilities act (AODA)

Statement of Commitment

Anthem Entertainment is committed to ensuring equal access and participation for people with disabilities. We are committed to treating people with disabilities in a way that allows them to maintain their dignity and independence.

We believe in integration, and we are committed to meeting the needs of people with disabilities in a timely manner. We will do so by removing and preventing barriers to accessibility and by meeting our accessibility requirements under Ontario’s accessibility laws.

Accessibility Policy

Training: We are committed to training staff in Ontario’s accessibility laws and aspects of the Ontario Human Rights Code that relate to persons with disabilities. We will train our employees on accessibility as it relates to their specific roles.

Self-service kiosks: Currently Anthem Entertainment does not make use of self-service kiosks. Should Anthem Entertainment consider implementing self-service kiosks, we will incorporate accessibility features and consider accessibility for people with disabilities when designing, procuring or acquiring self-service kiosks.

Information and communications: We communicate with people with disabilities in ways that take into account their disability. When asked, we will provide information about our organization and its services, including public safety information, in accessible formats or with communication supports. We will also meet internationally recognized World Wide Web Consortium Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) 2.0 Level AA website requirements in accordance with Ontario’s accessibility laws.

Employment: We notify employees, potential hires and the public that accommodations can be made during recruitment and hiring. We notify staff that supports are available for those with disabilities. Where needed, we will provide customized emergency information to help an employee with a disability during an emergency. Our performance management process will take into account the accessibility needs of all employees and can be modified to accommodate all employees.

Human Resources will meet one-on-one with an employee with a disability and document an individual accommodation plan for the employee. Additional business areas may be consulted to ensure the sufficiency of the plan, such as IT, Facilities, etc.

Changes to existing policies: We will modify or remove an existing policy that does not respect and promote the dignity and independence of people with disabilities.

Accessibility Plan

Annually, the Human Resources Department will review its Accessibility Policies and Practices, including any employee feedback, with the intention of removing barriers and ensuring equal access and participation for people with disabilities. Barriers reviewed will include:

Attitudinal barriers which may result in people with disabilities being treated differently than people without disabilities.
Informational and communication barriers which arise when a person with a disability cannot easily receive and/or understand information that is available to others.
Systemic barriers in policies, practices and procedures that result in people with disabilities to being treated differently than others or sometimes excluded altogether.
Physical and architectural barriers that prevent access for people with disabilities.
Technological barriers that do not meet the needs of people with disabilities.

Throughout the year the Joint Health and Safety Committee will monitor the office area to remove any physical barriers.

Customer Service

All goods and services provided by Anthem Entertainment, referred to as the “Company,” shall follow the principles of dignity, independence, integration and equal opportunity.

Scope:
This policy applies to the provision of goods and services at premises owned and operated by the Company.
This policy applies to employees, agents and/or contractors who deal with the public or other third parties that act on behalf of the Company, including when the provision of goods and services occurs off Company premises.
The section of this policy that addresses the use of guide dogs, service animals and service dogs only applies to the provision of goods and services that take place at premises owned and operated by the Company.
This policy shall also apply to all persons who participate in the development of the Company’s policies, practices and procedures governing the provision of goods and services to members of the public or third parties.

Definitions:
Assistive Device – is a technical aid, communication device or other instrument that is used to maintain or improve the functional abilities of people with disabilities. Personal assistive devices are typically devices that customers bring with them that might assist in hearing, seeing, communicating, moving, breathing, remembering and/or reading, such as a wheelchair, walker or a personal oxygen tank, etc.

Disability – the term disability as defined by the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act, 2005, and the Ontario Human Rights Code, refers to:

any degree of physical disability, infirmity, malformation or disfigurement that is caused by bodily injury, birth defect or illness and, without limiting the generality of the foregoing, includes diabetes mellitus, epilepsy, a brain injury, any degree of paralysis, amputation, lack of physical co-ordination, blindness or visual impediment, deafness or hearing impediment, muteness or speech impediment, or physical reliance on a guide dog or other animal or on a wheelchair or other remedial appliance or device;
a condition of mental impairment or a developmental disability;
a learning disability, or dysfunction in one or more of the processes involved in understanding or using symbols or spoken language;
a mental disorder; or
an injury or disability for which benefits were claimed or received under the insurance plan established under the Workplace Safety and Insurance Act, 1997.

Guide Dog – A guide dog is a dog trained as a guide for a blind person. This is a dog that has successfully completed the training program at any of the facilities listed in the Blind Persons’ Rights Act and has been qualified as a guide dog.

Service Animal – an animal is a service animal for a person with a 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.

Service Dog – a dog, other than a guide dog for the blind, is a service dog if:
it is readily apparent to an average person that the dog functions as a service dog for a person with a medical disability; or
the person who requires the dog can provide, on request, a letter from a physician or nurse confirming that the person requires a service dog.

Support Person – A support person is an individual hired or chosen to accompany a person with a disability to provide services or assistance with communication, mobility, personal care, medical needs, or access to services. This may be a professional, relative, volunteer or friend.

General Principles:
In accordance with the Accessibility Standards for Customer Service, Ontario Regulation 429/07, this policy addresses the following:

1) The Provision of Goods and Services to Persons with Disabilities
The Company 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 receive the same value and quality
allowing customers 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 with disabilities have access to the same services, in the same place and in a similar manner;
taking into account individual needs when providing goods and services
communicating in a manner that takes into account the customer’s disability.

2) The Use of Assistive Devices
Persons with disabilities may use their own assistive devices as required when accessing goods or services provided by the Company.

In cases where the assistive device presents a safety concern or where accessibility might be an issue, other reasonable measures will be used to ensure the access of goods and services.

3) The Use of Guide Dogs, Service Animals and Service Dogs
A customer with a disability that is accompanied by guide dog, service animal or service dog will be allowed access to premises that are open to the public (the lobby) unless otherwise excluded by law.

Recognizing a Guide Dog, Service Dog and/or Service Animal:
If it is not readily apparent that the animal is being used by the customer for reasons relating to his or her disability, the Company may request verification from the customer. Verification may include:

a letter from a physician or nurse confirming that the person requires the animal for reasons related to the disability
a valid identification card signed by the Attorney General of Canada, or
a certificate of training from a recognized guide dog or service animal training school.

Care and Control of the Animal:
The customer that is accompanied by a guide dog, service dog and/or service animal is responsible for maintaining care and control of the animal at all times.

Allergies:
If a health and safety concern presents itself, for example in the form of a severe allergy to the animal, the Company will make all reasonable efforts to meet the needs of all individuals.

4) The Use of Support Persons
If a customer with a disability is accompanied by a support person, the company will ensure that both persons are allowed to enter the premises together and that the customer is not prevented from having access to the support person.

In situations where confidential information might be discussed, consent will be obtained from the customer, prior to any confidential information being discussed.

5) Notice of Disruptions in Service
Service disruptions may occur due to reasons that may or may not be within the control or knowledge of the Company. In the event of any temporary disruptions to facilities or services that customers with disabilities rely on to access or use the Company’s goods or services, reasonable efforts will be made to provide advance notice.
In the event that a notification needs to be posted, the following information will be included unless it is not readily available or known:

goods or services that are disrupted or unavailable
reason for the disruption
anticipated duration
a description of alternative services or options
When disruptions occur, the Company will provide notice by:
posting notices at the point of disruption, at the main entrance and the nearest accessible entrance to the service disruption and on the website
contacting customers with appointments
verbally notifying customers when they are making an appointment, or
by any other method that may be reasonable under the circumstances.

6) Customer Feedback Process
The Company shall provide customers and clients with the opportunity to provide feedback on the service provided to clients with disabilities. Information about the feedback process will be readily available to all customers. Alternate methods of providing feedback such as verbal or written communication will be available upon request in a timely manner and at no additional cost. Administration will facilitate the client feedback process.

7) Training
Training will be provided to employees or other third parties that act on behalf of the Company only. Training will also be provided to people involved in the development of policies, plans, practices and procedures related to the provision of our goods and services.

Training will cover the following:

A review of the purpose of the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act, 2005.
A review of the requirements of the Accessibility Standards for Customer Service.
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 what to do if a person with a disability is having difficulty accessing your services.
The Company’s policies, procedures and practices pertaining to providing accessible customer service to customers with disabilities.

A record of the training will be kept for the employees who need training as stated earlier.

8) Notice of Availability and Format of Documents
Notification of the availability of documents related to the Accessibility Standard for Customer Service will be posted at all company facilities, and/or by any other reasonable method.

Multi-Year Accessibility Plan

Message from the CEO

We are committed to ensuring equal access and participation for people with disabilities at Anthem Entertainment, including treating employees, clients, and all visitors with disabilities in a way that allows them to maintain their dignity and independence.

Introduction

Anthem Entertainment is committed to fulfilling our requirements under the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act, 2005. This accessibility plan outlines the steps we are taking to meet those requirements and to improve opportunities for people with disabilities.

Our plan shows how we will play our role in making Ontario an accessible province for all Ontarians.

The plan is reviewed and updated at least once every 5 years.

We train every person as soon as practicable after being hired and provide training in respect to any changes to the policies. We maintain records of the training provided including the dates on which the training was provided and the number of individuals to whom it was provided.

Past Achievements to Remove and Prevent Barriers

Anthem remained in compliance with the Customer Service Standards, and clients could submit feedback via phone, email, letter. We reviewed any and all client feedback when it was received and addressed any concerns individually to ensure that any potential barriers were addressed. Similarly, all employees were and are able to submit feedback to Anthem Entertainment and any barriers are eliminated, balancing the financial needs of the company. Employees received training on the AODA standards, accessible customer service, work related accessibility issues, the Ontario Human Rights Code (as it relates to people with disabilities), and changes to our accessibility policies.

Strategies and Actions

Anthem Entertainment is committed to providing accessible customer service to people with disabilities. This means that we will provide services and facilities to people (employees, clients, visitors, etc.) with disabilities with the same high quality and timeliness as others. Our office in Toronto is modern and fully accessible. Employee requests for additional accommodation will be considered individually and fulfilled as soon as possible. Training on the AODA standards will continue.

For more information, individuals should contact the CEO or Human Resources.