Accessibility
The Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA) is a law that sets out a process for developing and enforcing accessibility standards.
Persons with disabilities and industry representatives work together with the government to develop the standards.
Implementing and enforcing these standards will help to reach their goal of an accessible Ontario by 2025.
Integrated Accessibility Standards Policy and Multi-Year Accessibility Plan
Beacon Insurance is committed to providing its services in a manner that respects the dignity and independence of persons with disabilities and to ensuring that all persons have full and equal access to all of Beacon Insurance services.
Beacon Insurance will implement its policy by training all employees (if any) and others (if any) who interact with the public on behalf of Beacon Insurance and those employees who are involved in developing our policies, practices and procedures. Training and education by Beacon Insurance will include the following:
- What is AODA and the requirements of the Accessibility Standard;
- Beacon Insurance’s policies and procedures relating to the Accessibility Standard;
- 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;
- the assistive devices available within Beacon Insurance and how to use them, including alternate formats for persons with disabilities; and
- what to do if a person with a disability is having difficulty in accessing our services.
Beacon Insurance will deliver full and equitable access to persons with disabilities by adopting the following procedures:
1. Accessible Information
Beacon Insurance will employ a variety of formats, when possible, to support information dissemination and dialogue. These may include, but are not limited to, large print, email, simplified summaries, illustrations and verbal communication.
2. Assistive Devices
In the event a person with a disability requires an assistive device, such as a wheelchair or oxygen, Beacon Insurance will make all reasonable efforts to accommodate such devices.
3. Use of Service Animals and Support Persons
Service Animals – Beacon Insurance welcomes persons with disabilities who are accompanied by a service animal. When a visitor enters the premises with a service animal, every reasonable effort will be made to accommodate the service animal and ensure that the surroundings will allow the individual to effectively maintain his/her relationship with the service animal. If this is not possible due to health or safety concerns, a mutually agreed upon location for the service animal may be identified for a limited time. In this instance, other provisions will be made to ensure that the individual receives the support otherwise provided by the service animal.
Support Persons – Any person with a disability who is accompanied by a support person will be allowed to have the support person present while on the premises unless it becomes a health or safety risk. In this instance, other provisions will be made to ensure that the individual receives the support otherwise provided by the support person. In some cases, it may be necessary to seek the consent of the person with the disability prior to discussing confidential information in front of the support person.
4. Notice of Temporary Disruption
Beacon Insurance will provide notice in the event of a planned or unexpected disruption in the facilities or services usually used by persons with disabilities. This notice will include information about the reason for their disruption, its anticipated duration and a description of alternative facilities or services, if available. Such alternatives might include an alternate route where a ramp or elevator is not available or in-person assistance upon arrival. Information on disruptions will be provided where persons with disabilities receive information including on all public entrances. Visitors may also be contacted by phone/email prior to an appointment to advise them of the change/disruption and alternatives.
5. Feedback Process
Beacon Insurance wants to meet and exceed the Accessibility Standard and accommodate all persons with disabilities in the provision of Beacon Insurance’s services. Feedback is welcomed and appreciated. Anyone wishing to provide feedback on the manner in which Beacon Insurance provides services to persons with disabilities may do so by telephone, or email (including feedback in writing, on disc or otherwise) as follows:
Beacon Insurance re: Accessibility
Tel: 416-259-9378
Email: info@beaconinsurance.ca
6. Questions about this policy
If you have any questions or complaints regarding this policy or any part of it, you may contact us by any of the means noted above.
Alternatively, you may contact us by any of the means noted above to request a copy of this policy in a format that takes into account any disability you may have.
7. Hiring Process
Beacon Insurance is committed to having our hiring process accessible by all, including those individuals with a disability. Those who cannot otherwise complete the hiring process due to a disability or need for accommodation please contact Beacon Insurance at: 416-259-9378 or via email at info@beaconinsurance.ca
8. Multi-Year Plan
Beacon Insurance will continue to review the information above and the annual requirements under AODA. Where Beacon Insurance may hire employees the plan will include; training, leadership, hiring process, accommodation plans i.e. return to work plans, communication, job description/posting requirements, and policies/practices. In addition, digital platforms, notices, outages, DRP, customer support, transportation, any public spaces, and a review of accommodation when new projects/policies/procedures are considered.