Accessibility

PortfolioAid’s Accessibility Policy
PortfolioAid’s Accessibility Plan
How to Provide Feedback and Concerns

PortfolioAid’s Accessibility Policy

Our Commitment

PortfolioAid (collectively, “the Company”) 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 by meeting our accessibility requirements under Ontario’s accessibility laws, including the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disability Act, 2005 (AODA).

This document (the “Accessibility Policy”) outlines the Company’s accessibility policies in two areas:

The Company’s commitment to treat all employees in a way that respects their dignity and independence. This is aligned with the “Integrated Accessibility Standards” under the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act, 2005.
The Company’s commitment to offering products and services to persons with disabilities that are consistent with the principles of dignity, independence, integration and equal opportunity. This is aligned with the Accessibility Standards for Customer Service, Ontario Regulation.

This policy is reviewed at least annually, updated as required and posted on our public website. To request these documents in other accessible formats, please contact us.

Email: accessibility@portfolioaid.com
Phone: 416-479-9710

Multi-Year Accessibility Plan

PortfolioAid maintains a documented Multi-Year Accessibility Plan (collectively, “the Plan”) outlining the Company’s objectives to prevent and remove barriers from its workplace and to improve opportunities for individuals with disabilities. The Plan will be reviewed and updated at least once every two years, or more frequently where required. The Plan will be posted on the Company’s website and upon request, a copy will be provided in an accessible format.

Training Employees

PortfolioAid will ensure accessibility training is provided to all personnel and is appropriate to the duties of each employee. Training will adhere to applicable requirements of the Accessibility Legislation and where appropriate, the Human Rights Code as it relates to individuals with disabilities. Training will also be provided when applicable changes are made to the Company’s accessibility policies, or when an employee changes jobs to a role which requires additional training due. Records of the training will be maintained.

Part I. Employment Standards

Recruitment, Assessment, Selection Process & Onboarding

PortfolioAid will ensure employees and the public are aware that accommodations for applicants with disabilities in the recruitment processes can be made. Appropriate messaging has been added to job postings and career landing pages on our website. The Company is committed to ensuring that the recruitment process is inclusive to persons with disability and that accommodations can be made upon request. Processes are in place to ensure accessibility policies are communicated and requests can be made, received and addressed for accommodation during the recruitment process as well as onboarding. Successful applicants are made aware of Company policies for accommodating employees with disabilities and all employees are required to attest to having read and understood the Company’s Accessibility Policies at least once annually.

Accessible Formats & Communications (for employees)

Processes exist to ensure there is a means for employees to submit accessibility requests and that those requests will be acted upon in a timely manner. The employee will be consulted in determining and delivering on the suitable accessible formats and communication supports.

Workplace Emergency Response Information

PortfolioAid is prepared to provide individualized workplace emergency response information to employees who have a disability or their support person as soon as reasonably possible, and upon request. Once the individualized information is prepared and shared with the individual, it will be reviewed as required.

Documented Individualized Accommodation Plan

PortfolioAid is prepared to develop a documented individual accommodation plan for each employee with a disability who requires such information. The employee requesting such information will participate in the development of the plan. The employee will be assessed on an individual basis and measures will be taken to ensure the individuals privacy will be taken into account. Once the plan is developed and implemented, it will be reviewed whenever necessary.

Return to Work Process

PortfolioAid is prepared to develop a documented return-to-work process for each employee who has been absent from work due to disability and require disability-related accommodation in order to return to work. The process shall outline steps to facilitate the return and take into consideration the employees documented accommodation plan, if applicable. Once the plan has been implemented, it will be monitored and evaluated to ensure it is suitable for the employee.

Performance Management, Career Development & Advancement, and Redeployment

PortfolioAid takes into account the accessibility needs of employees with disabilities, as well as any individual accommodation plans, when initiating performance management processes. Policies are in place to ensure that accessibility needs and individual accommodation plans are taken into consideration when providing career development and advancement opportunities to employees as well as when redeploying individuals with disabilities.

Part II. Information & Communications

Accessible Formats, Communication Supports & Feedback/Complaints Process

PortfolioAid will ensure that its process for receiving and responding to feedback is accessible to persons with disabilities upon request. An Accessibility Committee is assigned to monitoring and responding to any feedback or inquiries in a timely manner. The Committee is responsible for providing, or arranging for the provision of, accessible formats and communications supports, upon request. The committee is will consult the individual making the request to determine the appropriateness of accessible format or communication support given the person’s accessibility needs.

Accessible Websites and Web Content

As the Company continues to refresh its existing public facing website, it will take into account the applicable WCAG requirements. PortfolioAid has began training for appropriate personnel to be begin identifying existing gaps and put together a plan to oversee the website changes over a multi-year period.

Part III. Customer Service

PortfolioAid is committed to meeting its current and ongoing obligations under the Ontario Human Rights Code respecting non-discrimination. The Company understands 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. We are committed to complying with both the Ontario Human Rights Code and the AODA. Our accessible customer service policies are consistent with the principles of independence, dignity, integration and equality of opportunity for people with disabilities.

Communication

Personnel will communicate with persons with disabilities in ways that takes into account their disability. This means staff will work with the individual to determine the method of communication which works for them.

Assistive devices

PortfolioAid is committed to serving persons with disabilities who use assistive devices to obtain, use or benefit from our goods and services. As part of PortfolioAid Accessibility Plan, the Company will be working on a training program for staff to become familiar with the assistive devices that are available for customers to use in accessing our goods and services. In cases where the assistive device presents a significant and unavoidable health or safety concern or may not be permitted for other reasons, other reasonable measures will be used to ensure the person with a disability can access our goods, services or facilities.

Use of service animals

Persons with disabilities may bring their service animal on the parts of our premises that are open to guests or the public. Any person with a disability who is accompanied by a service animal will be allowed to have that support person accompany him/her on company premises. When we cannot easily identify that an animal is a service animal, our staff may ask a person to provide 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 goods, services or facilities:

Explain why the animal is excluded; and
Discuss with the customer individual 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, PortfolioAid 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; or
Others on the premises

Before making a decision, PortfolioAid will:

Consult with the person with a disability to understand their needs;
Consider health or safety reasons based on available evidence; and
Determine if there is no other reasonable way to protect the health or safety of the person or others on the premises.

The individual’s privacy rights will be taken into consideration when accompanied by their support person.

Temporary Service Disruptions

In the event of a planned or unexpected disruption to services or facilities for customers with disabilities PortfolioAid 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.

Training

PortfolioAid will provide accessible customer service training to:

All employees and volunteers
Anyone involved in developing our policies
Anyone who provides goods, services or facilities to customers on our behalf.

Staff will be trained on accessible customer service during the onboarding process after being hired.

Training will include:

Purpose of the AODA and the requirements of the customer service standard;
PortfolioAid’s policies related to the customer service 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.

As part of PortfolioAid Accessibility Plan, the Company will be working on a training program for staff to include:

How to use equipment or devices which may help with providing goods, services or facilities to people with disabilities.
What to do if an individual with a disability is having difficulty in accessing the Company’s goods and services.

Staff will also be trained when changes are made to our accessible customer service policies.

Feedback process

PortfolioAid welcomes feedback on how we provide accessible customer service. Customer feedback will help us identify barriers and respond to concerns. Customers who wish to provide feedback on the way PortfolioAid provides goods, services or facilities to people with disabilities can provide feedback in the following way:

Email: accessibility@portfolioaid.com
Phone: 416-479-9710

All feedback, including complaints, will be handled in the following manner:

Feedback will be directed to the Accessibility Committee.

PortfolioAid will make sure our feedback process is accessible to people with disabilities by providing or arranging for accessible formats and communication supports, on request.

Modifications to this or other policies

Any policies of PortfolioAid that do not respect and promote the principles of dignity, independence, integration and equal opportunity for people with disabilities will be modified or removed.

Notice of availability of documents

Documents related to accessible customer service, are available upon request. PortfolioAid will provide this document in an accessible format or with communication support, on 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.

Email: accessibility@portfolioaid.com
Phone: 416-479-9710

PortfolioAid’s Accessibility Plan

PortfolioAid 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.

This document (the “Accessibility Plan”) outlines PortfolioAid’ strategy for preventing and removing barriers to accessibility and meeting requirements set out in the applicable regulations. This plan is reviewed annually, updated as required and posted on the public website. To request these documents in other accessible formats, please contact us.

Email: accessibility@portfolioaid.com
Phone: 416-479-9710

Accessibility Standards

This section of the plan will list out the accessibility standard objectives and provide a status of compliance.

Part I. General

Establishing an Accessibility Policy

Objective: Develop, implement, and publish accessibility policies that outline how the organization should operate and interact with its employees and its customers as well as how it will achieve accessibility through meeting the applicable requirements under the AODA.

Actions Taken & Compliance Status: The “Accessibility Policy” is documented and implemented. It is available online at https://www.portfolioaid.com and contains our policies as they relate to the AODA. This policy is reviewed on an annual basis and updated as required. Status is complete.

Training

Objective: Ensure accessibility training is provided to all personnel and is appropriate to the duties of the employee.

Actions Taken & Compliance Status: Accessibility training has been conducted for all personnel in the following areas and as it relates to their role and responsibilities:

The Code and the AODA (including the Human Rights Code as it relates to persons with disabilities)
The Employment Standard
Information and Communications Standard

This training includes information on the AODA, its objectives, how to interact with people with various types of disabilities, and various support resources. Status is complete.

Part II. Customer Service

Establishing an Accessibility Policy (regarding Customer Service)

Objective: Develop, implement, and publish accessibility policies on the provision of our products and services to persons with disabilities in a way which maintains respect for dignity and independence, and maintains equal opportunity to obtain, use and benefit from our products and services.

Actions Taken & Compliance Status: The “Accessibility Policy” is documented and available online at https://www.portfolioaid.com. The policy ensures that reasonable efforts are made to provide access to our products and services in accordance with the AODA. PortfolioAid continues to evaluate ways to ensure that all accessibility requests can be accommodated as it relates to our products and services.

Training

Objective: Ensure accessibility training is provided to all personnel and is appropriate to the duties of the employee. Training includes how to interact and communicate with individuals who have various type of accessibility needs, including those who use assistive devices, service animals or require a support person.

Actions Taken & Compliance Status: Accessibility training has been conducted for all personnel on the AODA as well as the Customer Service Standard, which includes information on the requirements of serving individuals with disabilities.

Status for training on the Customer Service Standard is complete and PortfolioAid continues to make efforts to ensure that training related to the provision of our products and services as it relates to people with disabilities is sufficient.

Feedback Protocols

Objective: Establish an accessible process for submitting and responding to feedback, concerns or complaints on our accessibility policies, including how we provide our products and services to people with disabilities.

Actions Taken & Compliance Status: A means for submitting accessibility requests and/or concerns has been outlined in our Accessibility Policy and is posted on our website. All inquiries will be responded to in a timely manner and all reasonable efforts will be made to satisfy any accessibility needs.

Status is in progress as we continue to review the need for additional means of submitting accessibility related feedback and requests by persons with accessibility needs.

Temporary Service Disruptions

Objective: Provide notice in the event of any planned or unexpected disruptions in PortfolioAid’s facility and/or services that people with disabilities usually use to obtain, use or benefit from PortfolioAid’s products or services.

Actions Taken & Compliance Status: PortfolioAid will provide self-identified persons with disabilities a notice in the event of a planned or unexpected disruption in a facility or service used or visited by clients with disability in the event that the disruption is to impact that individual’s ability to use the space/service otherwise.

Notices will include:

Information about the reason for the disruption and the anticipated duration of the disruption.
A description of alternative facilities or services, as available.

Status is complete.

Part III. Employment

Recruitment, Assessment, Selection Process & Onboarding

Objective: Ensure employees and the public are aware that accommodations for applicants with disabilities in the recruitment processes can be made. Ensure that the recruitment process is inclusive to persons with disability and that accommodations can be made upon request. Ensure that successful applicants are aware of our policies for accommodating employees with disabilities

Actions Taken & Compliance Status: Appropriate messaging has been added to job postings and career landing pages on our website. Processes are in place to ensure accessibility policies are communicated and requests can be made, received and addressed for accommodation during the recruitment process as well as onboarding. All employees are made aware of our policies and any changes made thereafter. Status is complete.

Accessible Formats & Communications (for employees)

Objective: Ensure there is a means for employees to submit accessibility requests and have a process in place to arrange for accessible formats and communication supports as needed for that employee to perform their job duties.

Actions Taken & Compliance Status: Processes are implemented to allow for such requests to be submitted and acted upon. The employee will be consulted in determining and delivering on the suitable accessible formats and communication supports. Status is complete.

Workplace Emergency Response Information

Objective: Provide individualized workplace emergency response information to employees who have a disability or their support person as soon as reasonably possible. This information will be reviewed as required.

Actions Taken & Compliance Status: Policies are in place to ensure that individualized workplace emergency response information will be provided to employees who have self-identified as having a disability and require such information. This information will be provided as soon as reasonably possible. Status is complete.

Documented Individualized Accommodation Plan

Objective: Have a written process for the development of a documented individual accommodation plan for each employee with a disability.

Actions Taken & Compliance Status: Policies are in place to ensure that individualized accommodation plans will be provided to employees who have self-identified as having a disability and require such information. The employee requesting such information will [participate in the development of the plan. The employee will be assessed on an individual basis and measures will be taken to ensure the individuals privacy will be taken into account. Status is complete.

Return to Work Process

Objective: Have in place a documented return-to-work process for an employee who has been absent from work due to disability and require disability-related accommodation in order to return to work. The process shall outline steps to facilitate the return and take into consideration the employees documented accommodation plan, if applicable.

Actions Taken & Compliance Status: Policies are in place which document the need to develop a plan, monitor the process and evaluate the return-to-work process. Status is complete.

Performance Management

Objective: Take into account the accessibility needs of employees with disabilities, as well as any individual accommodation plans, when initiating performance management processes.

Actions Taken & Compliance Status: Policies are in place to ensure that accessibility needs and individual accommodation plans are taken into consideration when initiating performance management processes. Status is complete.

Career Development & Advancement

Objective: Take into account the accessibility needs of employees with disabilities, as well as any individual accommodation plans, when providing career development and advancement opportunities to employees.

Actions Taken & Compliance Status: Policies are in place to ensure that accessibility needs and individual accommodation plans are taken into consideration when providing career development and advancement opportunities to employees. Status is complete.

Redeployment

Objective: Take into account the accessibility needs of employees with disabilities, as well as any individual accommodation plans, when redeploying individuals with disabilities.

Actions Taken & Compliance Status: Policies are in place to ensure that accessibility needs and individual accommodation plans are taken into consideration when redeploying individuals with disabilities.

Part IV. Information & Communications

Accessible Formats, Communication Supports & Feedback/Complaints Process

Objective: Be able to provide alternative formats or communication supports for persons with disabilities, upon request, in a timely manner and at the same cost charged to other persons. This includes the ability to provide an accessible means of communication for feedback or complaints

Actions Taken & Compliance Status: As per documented policy, PortfolioAid has published a means for communicating accessibility requests. Upon receiving such request, we will consult with the individual, or their communication support, to determine the most appropriate accessible format and communication support. A designated team has been assigned to receive these requests and to ensure that the request can be addressed in a timely and effective manner.

Status is complete.

Accessible Websites and Web Content

Objective: Make our public internet website conform with applicable sections of the World Wide Web Consortium’s Web Content Accessibility Guideline (WCAG).

Actions Taken & Compliance Status: As we continue to refresh our existing public facing website, PortfolioAid will take into account the applicable WCAG requirements. PortfolioAid has began training for appropriate personnel to be begin identifying existing gaps and put together a plan to oversee the website changes over a multi-year period. Status is in progress.

Part V. Design of Public Spaces

Accessible Websites and Web Content

Objective: For any new construction and renovations, accessibility requirements will be assessed and taken into consideration. Public spaces will be designed in such a wat that removes barriers in all public areas.

Actions Taken & Compliance Status: Policies have been implemented to ensure that accessibility requirements are assessed and taken into consideration in any re-location of PortfolioAid’s office or any renovations or redesigns of the office space. Status is complete.

How to Provide Feedback and Concerns

If you have any feedback or concerns about PortfolioAid’s Accessibility Policies, Plan, how we provide our products or services to individuals with disabilities, or about the feedback process itself, please direct them to:

Email: accessibility@portfolioaid.com
Phone: 416-479-9710
Letter: Portfolio Aid Inc. 2 St. Clair Avenue West Suite 610 Toronto ON M4V 1L5 Canada

Your feedback or concern will be directed to the appropriate business unit to provide a prompt response.