GM Accessibility:  Multi-Year Plan

December 2014
This accessibility plan outlines the policies and actions that Goodness Me! (GM) will put in place to improve opportunities for people with disabilities.

Accessible Emergency Information
GM is committed to providing its customers and visitors with publicly available emergency information in an accessible way upon request.  We will also provide employees with disabilities with individualized emergency response information when necessary.

Training
GM will provide training on Ontario’s accessibility laws and on the Human Rights Code as it relates to people with disabilities to all employees. 
GM will take the following steps to ensure employees are provided with the training needed to meet Ontario’s accessible laws by January 1, 2015.

• Providing training in a time-sensitive fashion.  New employees are expected to complete an online AODA training module within two weeks of their start date with GM.  Revised training will be provided in the event of changes to legislation, procedures and/or practices.
• Regularly auditing training completions to ensure ongoing and company-wide compliance.

Information and Communications

• GM 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.
• GM will take the following steps to make all new websites and content on those sites conform to WCAG 2.0, Level A by January 1, 2014.
• Ensure all applicable IT managers and employees are aware of the requirements.
• Follow requirements for all future website changes and updates.

GM will take the following steps to make sure all publicly available information is made accessible upon request by January 1, 2016.

• Ensure all applicable IT/marketing managers and employees are aware of the requirements.
• Establishing an Accessibility Committee to stay abreast of requirements and ensure all relevant GM managers and employees are aware of the requirements and that compliance timelines are being adhered to.

GM will take the following steps to make all websites and content conform with WCAG 2.0, Level AA by January 1, 2021.

• Establishing an Accessibility Committee to stay abreast of requirements and ensure all relevant GM managers and employees are aware of the requirements and that compliance timelines are being adhered to.

Employment
GM is committed to fair and accessible employment practices.  We will take the following steps to notify the public and staff that, when requested, GM will accommodate people with disabilities during the recruitment and assessment processes and when people are hired.

•       Provide assistance or make assistance available to complete any required documentation during the application process. 
•       Make accommodations to conduct interviews in a format that would accommodate the applicant’s communication needs.

GM will take the following steps to develop and put in place a process for developing individual accommodation plans and return-to-work policies for employees that have been absent due to a disability.

•     Work with any applicable individual to ensure they are fully accommodated according to their own personalized needs.
•     Include this commitment in any return-to-work polices.

 We will take the following steps to ensure the accessibility needs of employees with disabilities are taken into account if GM is using performance management, career development and redeployment processes.

•      Work with any applicable individual to ensure they are fully accommodated according to their own personalized needs.

GM will take the following steps to prevent and remove other accessibility barriers identified.

•       Work with any applicable individual to ensure they are fully accommodated according to their own personalized needs.
•       Barriers once identified will be prevented/removed up to the point of undue hardship.

Design of Public Spaces
GM will meet the Accessibility Standards for the Design of Public Spaces when building or making major modifications to public spaces, which will be reviewed upon finalization of the regulations and the corresponding requirements.  Public spaces include:

•       Outdoor paths of travel, like sidewalks, ramps, stairs, curb ramps, rest areas and accessible pedestrian signals.
•       Service-related elements like service counters and waiting areas.

GM 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 public of the service disruption and alternatives available.  The following information will be included unless it is not readily available or known:

•       Services that are disrupted or unavailable
•       Reason for the disruption
•       Anticipated duration

When disruptions occur GM will provide notice by:

•       Posting notices in conspicuous places including at the point of disruption, at the main entrance and the nearest accessible entrance to the service disruption.
•       By any other method that may be reasonable under the circumstances.

 For More Information
 For more information on this accessibility plan, please contact:

Ashley Parker, Accessibility Coordinator
By phone: 519.756.8400 ext. 1717
By email:  ashley.parker@goodnessme.ca
By mail:  Goodness Me!  37 Woodyatt Drive, Brantford, ON  N3R 7K3

Accessible formats of this document will be made available at no cost upon request from by using any of the above contact methods or by asking in person at any store location.