PURPOSE

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This policy relates to standards for providing the services of United Building Products to people with disabilities. This policy is guided by the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA) Accessibility Standards for Customer Service, 429/07.

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Policy Statement

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United Building Products enjoys a reputation as one of Ottawa’s most building supply companies. Daily, our people demonstrate a consistent ability to provide practical, creative, and cost-effective advice, combined with an unyielding service commitment to our clients.

In fulfilling our mission, United Building Products always strives to provide its services in a way that respects the dignity and independence of people with disabilities. We are also committed to giving people with disabilities the same opportunity to access our services and allowing them to benefit from the same services, in the same place and in a similar way as other clients.

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Application of the Accessible Client Service Policy

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The Accessible Client Service Policy applies to all individuals who provide services on behalf of United Building Products. 

 

Definitions

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“Assistive devices” shall mean an auxiliary aid such as communication aids, cognition aids, personal mobility aids and medical aids (i.e. canes, crutches, wheelchairs, or hearing aids).

“Persons with Disabilities” shall mean those individuals who have a disability.  “Disability” as defined under the Ontario Human Rights Code is:

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1. 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 in a wheelchair or other remedial appliance or device;

2. a condition of mental impairment or a developmental disability.

3. a learning disability, or a dysfunction in one or more of the processes involved in understanding or using symbols or spoken language.

4. a mental disorder, or.

5. an injury or disability for which benefits were claimed or received under the insurance plan established under the Workplace Safety and Insurance Act, 1997.

 

“Service Animals” shall mean any animal individually trained to do work or perform tasks for the benefit of a person with a disability.

“Support persons” shall mean any person whether a paid professional, volunteer, family member, or friend who accompanies a person with a disability to help with communications, personal care or medical needs or with access to products or services.

 

1.1 Providing services to people with disabilities.

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United Building Products is committed to excellence in serving all clients including people with disabilities and we will carry out our functions and responsibilities in the following areas:

 

1.1.1 Communication

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We will communicate with people with disabilities in ways that consider their disability.

We will train our staff who communicate with clients on how to interact and communicate with people with various types of disabilities.

 

1.1.2 Telephone services

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We are committed to providing fully accessible telephone service to our clients. We will train our staff to communicate with clients over the telephone in clear and plain language and to speak clearly and slowly.

We will offer to communicate with clients by telephone relay, email, courier, mail and/or fax, if telephone communication is not suitable to their communication needs or is not available, provided the identity of the client has been verified.

 

1.1.3 Assistive devices

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We are committed to serving people with disabilities, who use assistive devices to obtain, use or benefit from our services. We will ensure that our staff is trained and familiar with various assistive devices that may be used by clients with disabilities while accessing our services.

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We will also ensure that our staff will know how to use, and instruct others in the use of, assistive devices if they are available for clients at United Building Products sites.

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1.1.4 Accessible Document Formats

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Within a reasonable time after receiving a request by, or on behalf of a person with a disability, United Building Products shall make documents available in a format that is accessible to the person, unless it is not technically feasible to do so.

 

1.1.5 Service Animals

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We are committed to welcoming people with disabilities who are accompanied by a service animal on the parts of our premises that are open to the public and other third parties. The service animal must always be in the care of the person with a disability or their support person.

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We will also ensure that all our staff dealing with the public is properly trained in how to interact with people with disabilities who are accompanied by a service animal.

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1.1.6 Support Persons

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We are committed to welcoming people with disabilities who are accompanied by a support person. Any person with a disability who is accompanied by a support person will be allowed to enter the parts of our premises that are open to the public with his or her support person. At no time will a person with a disability who is accompanied by a support person be prevented from having access to his or her support person while on our premises.

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1.1.7 Notice of temporary disruption

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United Building Products will provide clients with notice in the event of a planned disruption in the facilities or services usually used by people with disabilities. In the event of an unexpected disruption, United Building Products will make reasonable efforts to contact clients with disabilities regarding disruptions. This notice will include information about the reason for the disruption, its anticipated duration, and a description of alternative facilities or services, if available. 

The notice will be posted on United Building Products website and all social media outlets, as well as be placed at all public entrances, and at the order desk.

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1.1.8 Training for staff

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United Building Products will provide training to all staff who deal with the public or other third parties on our behalf, and all those who are involved in the development and approval of client service policies, practices and procedures. Individuals in the following positions will be trained:

Managers, Supervisors, Office Staff, Warehouse Staff, Helpers, and Drivers

This training will be provided during the new employee orientation period, which shall occur within the first 4 days after a staff member commences their duties.

 

Training will include the following:

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• How to interact and communicate with people with various types of disabilities

• How to interact with people with disabilities who use an assistive device or require the assistance of a service animal or a support person

• How to use the assistive devices on United Building Products sites that may help with the provision of services to people with disabilities.

• What to do if a person with a disability is having difficulty in accessing United Building Products’ services

• United Building Products’ policies, practices and procedures relating to Accessible Client Services

• The purposes of the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act, 2005 and the requirements of the Accessibility Standards for Customer Service (Ontario only).

 

All staff will be trained on policies, practices and procedures that affect the way services are provided to people with disabilities. Lawyers and staff will also be trained on an ongoing basis when changes are made to these policies, practices, and procedures.

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1.1.9 Feedback process

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The goal, of United Building Products is to meet and surpass client expectations while serving clients with disabilities. Comments on our services regarding how well those expectations are being met are welcome and appreciated.

Feedback regarding the way United Building Products provides services to people with disabilities can be made in the following way: 

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• By emailing our Human Resources Department:

  • info@unitedbuildingproducts.ca 

• By obtaining a copy of our Accessibility Policy or our Militi Year Accessibility Plan at unitedbuildingproduct.ca

 

Clients can expect to hear back within 10 business days.  Our response will be in a format that respects the communication preference of the person with a disability.  Additional time may be required for follow up depending on the format of response required.

Alternative Formats

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• Upon request, United Building Products will provide information in accessible formats (e.g., large print, Braille, audio).

• Anyone requesting an alternative format of any of our policies can expect to hear back within 10 business days. Our response will be in a format that respects the communication preference of the request. Additional time may be required for follow up depending on the format of responses required.

 

Modifications to this or other policies

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We are committed to developing client service policies that respect and promote the dignity and independence of people with disabilities. Therefore, no changes will be made to this policy before considering the impact on people with disabilities.

Any policy of United Building Products that does not respect and promote the dignity and independence of people with disabilities will be modified or removed.

 

Questions about this policy

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This policy exists to achieve service excellence to clients with disabilities. If anyone has a question about the policy, or if the purpose of a policy is not understood, an explanation should be provided by, or referred to, United Building Products.