Policy Title: Accessibility Policy
Policy Owner: Human Resources
Effective Date: November 9, 2019
Previous Review Date: June 2021
Last Review Date: August 2023
Next Review Date: August 2024
Kritik is committed to ensuring equal access and participation for people with disabilities. We believe in integration and are committed to meeting the needs of people with disabilities in a timely manner. We believe in treating people with disabilities in a way that allows them to maintain their dignity and independence. We will do so by identifying, and to the extent possible, preventing, and eliminating barriers to accessibility and meeting our accessibility requirements under the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act, 2005 (“AODA” or the “Act”) and Ontario’s accessibility laws.
This Accessibility Policy applies to Kritik services that are provided to the public. The policy applies to all Kritik staff, who are accountable for providing accessible services to persons with disabilities.
"Disability" means:
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 a 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.
"Service Animal" means an animal accompanying a person with disabilities where it is readily apparent that the animal is used by the person for reasons relating to his or her disability or where the person provides a letter from a physician or nurse confirming that he or she requires the animal for reasons relating to the disability. This definition includes guide dogs used by the blind or visually impaired.
“Support Person” means, in relation to a person with disabilities, another person who accompanies him or her in order to help with communication, mobility, personal care or medical needs or with access to goods and services.
Kritik is committed to meeting the communication needs of people with disabilities. 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 Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) 2.1 Level AA website requirements in accordance with Ontario’s accessibility laws.
Kritik is committed to welcoming people with disabilities who are accompanied by a support person. Any person with a disability may enter Kritik’s premises with a support person and have access to the support person while on the premises.
Kritik may require persons with disabilities to be accompanied by a support person where it is necessary to protect the health or safety of the person with a disability or the health or safety of others on the premises.
Kritik is committed to accommodating the use of service animals by people with disabilities who are accessing Kritik’s premises. If service animals are prohibited from entering the premises by law, Kritik will provide another way to enable the person with disabilities to access Kritik’s goods and services.
In the event of a planned or unexpected disruption in the facilities or services usually used by persons with disabilities, Kritik will promptly notify those affected. Notice will include information about its anticipated duration and the reason for the disruption as well as a description of alternative facilities or services, if available. Notice will be communicated by a method that is reasonable in the circumstances.
Kritik is committed to training staff on 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.
Kritik welcomes and appreciates feedback regarding this policy and its implementation. Feedback can be provided in person, by telephone, in writing, or by e-mail to:
Accessibility Team
2309 - 16 Yonge Street, M5E2A1, Toronto, ON
accessibility@kritik.io
All feedback, including complaints, will be handled promptly. Kritik will ensure the feedback process is accessible to people with disabilities by providing or arranging for accessible formats and communication supports, on request. Responses shall be provided within a reasonable amount of time and will depend on the complexity of the issues raised.
Kritik will modify or remove an existing policy that does not respect and promote the dignity and independence of people with disabilities.
Kritik will produce a Multi-Year Accessibility Plan . The Plan will be made available in an accessible format and with communication supports, upon request.
If anyone has a question about this policy, or if the purpose of a policy is not understood, please contact the Accessibility Team at accessibility@kritik.io. This policy is available in alternate formats, upon request. Kritik welcomes and appreciates feedback regarding this policy and its implementation.
