Accessibility Policy
Policy
Grounded Engineering Inc. is committed to treating all people in a way that allows them to maintain their dignity and independence. We believe in integration and equal opportunity. We are committed to meeting the needs of persons with disabilities in a timely manner and will do so by preventing and removing barriers to accessibility and meeting accessibility requirements under, or in a manner consistent with, provincial legislation requirements.
Accessibility Plan
The Company will develop, document, and maintain an accessibility plan outlining the organizations strategy to prevent and remove barriers from our workplace and to improve opportunities for persons with disabilities. The accessibility plan will be reviewed and updated at least once every 5 years and will be posted on the website. Upon request, we will provide a copy of the accessibility plan in an accessible format.
Training employees
The Company will ensure that training is provided on the requirements of the accessibility standards and applicable Human Rights law, as it pertains to persons with disabilities, to:
persons who participate in developing policies
our employees
other persons who provide goods, services, or facilities on behalf of the organization
The training will be appropriate to the duties of the employees, volunteers, and other persons.
Employees will be trained when changes are made to the accessibility policy, and new employees will be trained as part of their orientation. Management will keep a record of the training it provides.
Information and communication standards
Feedback
The Company will continue to ensure that our process for receiving and responding to feedback is accessible to persons with disabilities by providing or arranging for the provision of accessible formats and communication support, upon request.
Accessible formats and communication support
Upon request, the organization will provide or will arrange for the provision of accessible formats and communication supports for persons with disabilities in a timely manner that considers the person's accessibility needs due to disability.
The Company will consult with the person making the request in determining the suitability of an accessible format or communication support.
The Company will also notify the public about the availability of accessible formats and communication supports.
Accessible websites and web content
The Company will ensure that our websites, including web content, conform to the World Wide Web Consortium Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) 2.0, at Level AA, except where this is impracticable.
Employment standards
Recruitment
The Company will notify our employees and the public about the availability of accommodation for applicants with disabilities in our recruitment process.
Recruitment, assessment, or selection process
The Company will notify job applicants, when they are individually selected to participate further in an assessment or selection process, that accommodations are available upon request in relation to the materials or processes to be used.
If a selected applicant requests an accommodation, the organization will consult with the applicant and provide or arrange for the provision of a suitable accommodation in a manner that considers the applicant's accessibility needs due to disability.
Notice to successful applicant
When making offers of employment, the organization will notify the successful applicant of our policies for accommodating employees with disabilities.
Informing employees of support available
The Company will continue to inform our employees of our policies (and any updates to policies) used to support employees with disabilities, including policies on the provision of job accommodations that consider an employee's accessibility needs due to disability. This information will be provided to new employees as soon as practicable after commencing employment.
Accessible formats and communication support for employees
Upon the request of an employee with a disability, The Company will consult with the employee to provide or arrange for the provision of accessible formats and communication supports for information needed to perform their job and any information that is generally available to other employees.
In determining the suitability of an accessible format or communication support, the organization will
consult with the employee making the request.
Workplace emergency response information
The Company will provide individualized workplace emergency response information to employees who have a disability, if the disability is such that the individualized information is necessary, and if the organization is aware of the need for accommodation due to the employee' s disability. The Company will provide this information as soon as practicable after becoming aware of the need for accommodation. Where the employee requires assistance, The Company will, with the consent of the employee, provide the workplace emergency response information to the person designated by the organization to provide assistance to the employee.
The Company will review the individualized workplace emergency response information when the employee moves to a different location in the organization and when the employee's overall accommodation needs or plans are reviewed.
Documented individual accommodation plans
The Company will maintain a written process for the development of documented individual accommodation plans for employees with disabilities.
If requested, information regarding accessible formats and communications supports provided will also be included in individual accommodation plans. In addition, the plans will include individualized workplace emergency response information (where required) and will identify any other accommodation that is to be provided.
Return-to-work process
The Company maintains a documented return-to-work process for our employees who have been absent from work due to a disability and who require disability related accommodations in order to return to work.
The return-to-work process outlines the steps The Company will take to facilitate the return to work and will include documented individual accommodation plan as part of the process.
This return-to-work process will not replace or override any other return-to-work process created by or under any other law.
Performance management, career development and advancement and reassignment
The Company will consider the accessibility needs of employees with disabilities, as well as individual accommodation plans, when conducting performance management, providing career development and advancement to employees or when reassigning employees.
Statement of Commitment
Grounded Engineering Inc. is committed to treating all people in a way that allows them to maintain their dignity and independence.
We believe in integration and equal opportunity. We are committed to meeting the needs of persons with disabilities in a timely manner and will do so by preventing and removing barriers to accessibility and meeting accessibility requirements under, or in a manner consistent with, provincial legislation requirements.
Accessibility Plan
Part 1. Baseline Report
Provide an analysis of the types of barriers Ontarians may face in accessing your programs, facilities and services. Highlight those that are most significant to your organizational mandate and to the public.
Overview of Programs and Services:
Provide a general description of your organization’s programs and services, emphasizing those targeting the public.
Grounded Engineering Inc. is a consulting engineering company providing geotechnical, environmental, hydrogeological and geostructural engineering services to major developers and retailers, municipalities, general contractors, architects, other engineers and various government agencies. While Grounded Engineering Inc. has an office, it is not open to the pubic.
Accessibility Achievements:
Summarize the steps already taken by the organization to achieve accessibility. What, if any policies, promote accessibility of your organization by the public and by staff affected by accessibility barriers?
Grounded Engineering inc. office is accessible, with ramps and accessible washrooms. Further, Grounded Engineering Inc. has undertaken AODA training for all employees.
Barriers to Accessibility
List barriers Ontarians may face in accessing your programs, facilities, and services. Highlight those that are most significant to your organizational mandate and to the public.
What organizational policies may inadvertently create barriers? Are there any temporary barriers which may be created by renovations or computer software upgrades that could create accessibility barriers?
A significant component of the work carried out by employees at Grounded Engineering Inc. involved soil and groundwater sampling as well as monitoring of construction sites. The nature of the work can be physically demanding and includes job sites where accessibility options are extremely limited.'
Statement of Commitment
Grounded Engineering Inc. is committed to treating all people in a way that allows them to maintain their dignity and independence. We believe in integration and equal opportunity. We are committed to meeting the needs of persons with disabilities in a timely manner and will do so by preventing and removing barriers to accessibility and meeting accessibility requirements under, or in a manner consistent with, provincial legislation requirements.
Policies
Grounded Engineering Inc. will develop, document, and maintain an accessibility plan and policy outlining the organizations strategy to prevent and remove barriers from our workplace and to improve opportunities for persons with disabilities. The accessibility plan and policies will be reviewed and updated at least once every 5 years and will be posted on the website. Upon request, we will provide a copy of the accessibility plan in an accessible format.