This 2014-2021 accessibility plan outlines the policies and actions that Unifor will put in place to improve opportunities for people with disabilities.
To read Unifor's Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA) policy, click here.
Statement of Commitment
Unifor 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 people with disabilities in a timely manner, and will do so by preventing and removing barriers to accessibility and meeting accessibility requirements under the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act.
Accessible Emergency Information
Unifor is committed to providing our members and visitors to our offices with publicly available emergency information. Such information will be provided in an accessible manner to meet individual requests. We will also provide employees with disabilities with individualized emergency response information when necessary.
- Unifor has and will continue to review emergency response information when employees with disabilities change their work location, when their accommodation needs change and when Unifor’s overall emergency response information changes.
Training
Unifor will provide training to all employees and volunteers in paid and unpaid positions on Ontario’s accessibility laws and on the Human Rights Code as it relates to people with disabilities. Training will be provided in a way that best suits the duties of employees, volunteers and other staff members.
Unifor will take the following steps to ensure employees are provided with the training needed to meet Ontario’s accessibility laws by January 1, 2015.
- New hires will be trained within 30 days of hire as part of their orientation
- Staff will have refresher training in 2015 on the AODA, including relevant sections of the Human Rights Code, and on multi-year accessibility plan
Kiosks
While Unifor does not currently use self-serving kiosks at any functions or locations, Unifor will take the following steps to ensure employees consider the needs of people with disabilities in the event any should be designed, procured or acquired in the future.
- Kiosks will be located in an accessible area with a clear path
- Kiosks will be designed with counters of an accessible height and be stable and offer accessible keypads
- Screen will have colour contrasts and allow time to complete tasks
Information and Communications
Unifor is committed to meeting the communication needs of people with disabilities. We will consult with people with disabilities to determine their information and communication needs.
Unifor will take the following steps to make all new websites and content on those sites conform with WCAG 2.0, Level A by January 1, 2014.
- Web content will be written in clear language
- Alternate text will be provided for images
- Colour is not used as the only identifier in charts
- Navigation of the website will be possible by keyboard and mouse
Unifor will take the following steps to ensure existing feedback processes are accessible to people with disabilities upon request by January 1, 2015.
- AODA policies are included on the website and publicly posted in all Unifor offices with more than 20 staff in Ontario
- Feedback mechanisms include website, fax, phone, text, email and mail as outlined on our website, on our posters and in this accessibility plan
Unifor will take the following steps to make sure all publicly available information is made accessible upon request by January 1, 2016.
- Perform a usability audit of the website which will determine possible accessibility requirements
- Printed Unifor documents and pamphlets will be made available upon request in an electronic version for variable screen reading
Unifor will take the following steps to make all websites and content conform with WCAG, 2.0, Level AA by January 1, 2021.
- Further steps will be determined in the 2015 usability audit
Employment
Unifor is committed to fair and accessible employment practices. Unifor will perform all undertakings in a manner which is consistent with the collective agreement obligations of Unifor.
Unifor will accommodate accessibility needs for people with disabilities during the recruitment and assessment processes and when people are hired. We will take the following steps to notify the public and staff, when requested, that:
- All job postings open to the public will indicate that Unifor is an equal opportunity employer
- Additional time will be allowed for interviews and screening tests as needed for people with disabilities
Unifor will take the following steps to develop and put in place a process for developing accommodation plans and return-to-work policies that address individual accessibility needs for employees that have been absent due to a disability.
- Protect the privacy of Unifor employees’ personal information during accommodation processes
- Negotiate a written accommodation process with respective staff union representation for developing and documenting individual accessibility requirements when accommodating employees with disabilities
- Review individual accessibility requirements with staff with disabilities who are returning to work in consultation with their union representation
We will take the following steps to ensure the accessibility needs of employees with disabilities are taken into account in Unifor performance management, career development or redeployment processes.
- Opportunities will be equally accessible to all staff throughout the above processes
- All training, learning and development programs will be available in a variety of accessible formats and will consider accessibility needs for employees with disabilities who need to learn new skills.
Unifor will take the following steps to prevent and remove other accessibility barriers identified.
- Continue an open dialogue with staff and members on the Unifor Regional Council Workers with Disabilities caucuses for areas of improvement
Design of Public Spaces
Unifor will meet the Ontario Building Code to include enhancements to accessibility in buildings.
- As of January 1, 2015, Unifor’s construction and renovation plans will be subject to updated accessibility requirements
- All new project plans will incorporate how accessibility has been integrated into the planning process to consider the needs of people with disabilities to prevent inadvertent barriers in design
- Unifor will focus on removing existing barriers in our buildings to ensure they are accessible
Design of Public Spaces
Unifor will meet with Accessibility Standards for the Design of Public Spaces when building or making major modifications to public spaces. Public spaces include:
- Recreational trails/beach access routes
- Outdoor public eating areas like picnic areas
- Outdoor play spaces
- Outdoor paths of travel, like sidewalks, ramps, stairs, curb ramps, rest areas and accessible pedestrian signals
- Accessible off street parking
- Service related elements like service counters, fixed queuing lines and waiting areas
Unifor will put the following procedures in place to prevent service disruptions to its accessible parts of its public spaces.
- In the event of a service disruption, we will notify the staff and members of the service disruption and alternatives available
- Notices will be issued to staff and on the Unifor website about any disruptions affecting access to any of our buildings and public spaces indicating the date, duration and type of disruption
Review
An accessibility report under the Integrated Regulation will be filed every three years with the next report filed by December 31, 2017.
Unifor will review this multi-year plan every 5 years with the next review by January 1, 2019.
For More Information
For more information on this accessibility plan, please contact Karen Davis, Director Office Administration at:
Phone: 416-497-4110 x 3775
Email: karen.davis@unifor.org