Statement of Organizational Commitment
Derstine Partners Professional Corporation is committed to ensuring equal access and participation for people with disabilities. We are committed to treating people with disabilities in a way that allows them to maintain their dignity and independence. We believe in integration and we are committed to meeting the needs of people with disabilities in a timely manner. We will do so by removing and preventing barriers to accessibility and meeting our accessibility requirements under the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act and Ontario’s accessibility laws.
Derstine Partners Professional Corporation is committed to meeting its current and ongoing obligations under the Ontario Human Rights Code respecting nondiscrimination.
Derstine Partners Professional Corporation understand that obligations under the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act, 2005 (AODA) and its accessibility standards do not substitute or limit its obligations under the Ontario Human Rights Code or obligations to people with disabilities under any other law.
Derstine Partners Professional Corporation is committed to excellence in serving and providing goods, services or facilities to all customers including people with disabilities.
Our accessible customer service policies are consistent with the principles of independence, dignity, integration, and equality of opportunity for people with disabilities.
Training
We are committed to training all staff and volunteers in accessible customer service, other Ontario’s accessibility standards, and aspects of the Ontario Human Rights Code that relate to persons with disabilities.
In addition, we will train:
a) all persons who participate in developing the organization’s policies; and
b) all other persons who provide goods, services, or facilities on behalf of the organization
Training of our employees and volunteers on accessibility relates to their specific roles.
Training includes:
• purpose of the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act, 2005 and the requirements of the Customer Service Standards;
• our policies related to the Customer Service Standards;
• 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;
• what to do if a person with a disability is having difficulty in accessing our organization’s goods, services, or facilities; and
• how to use the equipment or devices available on-site or otherwise that may help with providing goods, services, or facilities to people with disabilities. These include but are not limited to:
- access to court via Zoom in private offices,
- stair lift climber for the east entrance to the office, and
- the self-serve Legal Aid Ontario phone system
We train every person as soon as practicable after being hired and provide training in respect of any changes to the policies. New hires are directed to the Access Forward website at http://accessforward.ca to complete relevant modules.
We maintain records of the training provided including the dates on which the training was provided and the number of individuals to whom it was provided.
Assistive Devices
People with disabilities may use their personal assistive devices when accessing our services or office space.
In cases where the assistive device presents a significant and unavoidable health or safety concern or may not be permitted for other reasons, other measures will be used to ensure the person with a disability can access our services or office space.
We ensure that our staff are trained and familiar with various assistive devices we have on site or that we provide that may be used by customers with disabilities while accessing our services or office space. These include but are not limited to:
- access to court via Zoom in private offices,
- stair lift climber for the east entrance to the office, and
- the self-serve Legal Aid Ontario phone system
Communication
We communicate with people with disabilities in ways that take into account their disability. This may include but is not limited to the following:
- preference given to in-person or virtual meetings;
- applications for accommodations before the Ontario Courts as needed; and
- access to communication access providers (e.g. sign language interpreter or real time captioner) as needed for court appearances.
We will work with the person with disabilities to determine what method of communication works for them.
Service Animals
We welcome people with disabilities and their service animals. Service animals are allowed on the parts of our premises that are open to the public and third parties.
When we cannot easily identify that an animal is a service animal, our staff may ask for documentation (template, letter, or form) from a regulated health professional that confirms the person needs the service animal for reasons relating to their disability.
A service animal can be easily identified through visual indicators, such as when it wears a harness or a vest, or when it helps the person perform certain tasks. A regulated health professional is defined as a member of one of the following colleges:
• College of Audiologists and Speech-Language Pathologists of Ontario
• College of Chiropractors of Ontario
• College of Nurses of Ontario
• College of Occupational Therapists of Ontario
• College of Optometrists of Ontario
• College of Physicians and Surgeons of Ontario
• College of Physiotherapists of Ontario
• College of Psychologists of Ontario
• College of Registered Psychotherapists and Registered Mental Health
Therapists of Ontario
If service animals are prohibited by another law, we will do the following to ensure people with disabilities can access our services or office space:
• explain why the animal is excluded
• discuss with the customer another way of providing goods, services, or facilities
Support Persons
A person with a disability who is accompanied by a support person will be allowed to have that person accompany them on our premises.
In certain cases, Derstine Partners Professional Corporation might require a person with a disability to be accompanied by a support person for the health or safety reasons of:
• the person with a disability
• others on the premises
Before making a decision, Derstine Partners Professional Corporation will:
• consult with the person with a disability to understand their needs
• consider health or safety reasons based on available evidence
• determine if there is no other reasonable way to protect the health or safety of the person or others on the premises
Notice of Temporary Disruption
In the event of a planned or unexpected disruption to services or facilities for customers with disabilities, this organization will notify customers promptly. This clearly posted notice will include information about the reason for the disruption, its anticipated length of time, and a description of alternative facilities or services, if
available.
Services/Facilities include but are not limited to:
• stairlift and elevator access to our 3rd floor suite;
• accommodations for virtual court attendance; and
• the self-serve Legal Aid Ontario phone system
The notice will be made publicly available via Derstine Partners Profession Corporation’s website at www.derstinepartners.com, and verbally when making appointments through our main phone number.
Feedback Process
Derstine Partners Professional Corporation welcomes feedback on how we provide accessible customer service. Customer feedback will help us identify barriers and respond to concerns.
Feedback may be provided by submitting a message via Derstine Partners Professional Corporation’s website at www.derstinepartners.com, emailing the Office Manager at officemanager@derstinepenman.com, or calling the Office Manager at 416-304-1414 extension 229.
All feedback, including complaints, will be addressed formally between the Office Manager and Managing Partners. Customers can expect to hear back in one business day.
Derstine Partners Professional Corporation ensures our feedback process is accessible to people with disabilities by providing or arranging for accessible formats and communication supports, on request.
Notice of Availability of Documents
Derstine Partners Professional Corporation notifies the public that documents related to accessible customer service are available upon request by posting a notice both on the public domain www.derstinepartners.com, a physical copy along with all other office policies in the shared kitchen office space, and new employees will be provided a PDF copy upon hire.
Derstine Partners Professional Corporation will provide these documents in an accessible format or with communication support, upon request. We will consult with the person making the request to determine the suitability of the format or communication support. We will provide the accessible format in a timely manner and at no additional cost.
Self-Service Kiosks
While not currently applicable to our office, we will incorporate accessibility features/consider accessibility for people with disabilities when designing, procuring, or acquiring self-service kiosks.
Information and Communications
We have a process for receiving and responding to feedback and the process is accessible to persons with disabilities upon request.
We communicate with people with disabilities in ways that take into account their disability. When asked, we will provide information about Derstine Partners Professional Corporation and its services, including public safety information, in accessible formats or with communication supports:
a) in a timely manner, taking into account the person’s accessibility needs due to disability; and
b) at a cost that is no more than the regular cost charged to other persons.
We will consult with the person making the request in determining the suitability of an accessible format or communication support. If the Derstine Partners Professional Corporation determines that information or communications are unconvertible, we will provide the requestor with:
a) an explanation as to why the information or communications are unconvertible; and
b) a summary of the unconvertible information or communications.
We notify the public about the availability of accessible formats and communication supports upon request and by publishing our Accessibility Guidelines on www.derstinepartners.com.
We will also meet internationally-recognized Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) 2.0 Level AA website requirements in accordance with the Ontario accessibility laws.
Employment
We notify employees, job applicants, and the public that accommodations can be made during recruitment and hiring. We notify job applicants when they are individually selected to participate in an assessment or selection process that accommodations are available upon request. We consult with the applicants and provide or arrange for suitable accommodation.
We notify successful applicants of policies for accommodating employees with disabilities when making offers of employment.
We notify staff that supports are available for those with disabilities as soon as practicable after they begin their employment. We provide updated information to employees whenever there is a change to existing policies on the provision of job accommodation that take into account an employee’s accessibility needs due to a
disability.
We will consult with employees when arranging for provision of suitable accommodation in a manner that takes into account the accessibility needs due to disability. We will consult with the person making the request in determining the suitability of an accessible format or communication supports specifically for:
a) information that is needed in order to perform the employee’s job; and
b) information that is generally available to employees in the workplace
Where needed, we will also provide customized emergency information to help an employee with a disability during an emergency. With the employee’s consent, we will provide workplace emergency information to a designated person who is providing assistance to that employee during an emergency.
We will provide the information as soon as practicable after we become aware of the need for accommodation due to the employee’s disability.
We will review the individualized workplace emergency response information:
a) when the employee moves to a different location in the organization;
b) when the employee’s overall accommodations needs or plans are reviewed; and
c) when the employer reviews its general emergency response policies.
We have a written process to develop individual accommodation plans for employees. We have a written process for employees who have been absent from work due to a disability and require disability-related accommodations in order to return to work.
Our performance management, career development and redeployment process take into account the accessibility needs of all employees.
Changes to Existing Policies
Any policies of Derstine Partners Professional Corporation that do not respect and promote the principles of dignity, independence, integration, and equal opportunity for people with disabilities will be modified or removed.
This document is publicly available. Accessible formats are available upon request.
Last updated October 4th, 2023