Bennington Financial Corp.
Multi-Year Accessibility Plan
This multi-year accessibility plan outlines the policies and actions that Bennington Financial Corp. has, or will, put in place to improve opportunities for people with disabilities. This plan will be posted in an obvious place on company premises and on all company websites. The plan will also be provided in alternative formats upon request. When a person with a disability makes a request for an alternative accessible format or communication support, that person must be consulted as to their needs. The plan must be provided in a timely manner and the cost of providing the plan in an accessible format must not be more than the regular cost charged to other people.
Statement of Commitment
Bennington Financial Corp. is committed to excellence in customer service and employment, specifically, to meeting the needs of all our customers, lessees, vendors, brokers and employees, including those facing a disability. We believe in integration and equal opportunity. We are committed to meeting the needs of people with disabilities, whether or not the disability is apparent; and will do so by preventing and removing any and all barriers to accessibility and meeting accessibility requirements under the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA).
Customer Service Standard
Bennington Financial Corp. has established policies, practices and procedures that are consistent with the principles of dignity, independence, integration and equal opportunity by:
• Respect for dignity and independence;
• Ensuring that all customers receive the same value and quality;
• Allowing customers, lessees, vendors and brokers with disabilities to do things in their own ways, at their own pace, when accessing goods and services as long as this does not present a safety risk;
• Using alternative methods when possible to ensure that customers with disabilities have access to the same services, in the same place and in a similar manner;
• Taking into account individual needs when providing goods and services; and
• Communicating in a manner that takes into account the customer’s disability
Completion Date – January 1, 2012
Status – Implemented
Training
Bennington Financial Corp. ensures training that incorporates the requirements of accessibility standards and the Human Rights Code as it relates to people with disabilities, is provided to:
• All employees, agents, and/or contractors who deal with our customers, which includes but is not limited to, lessees, broker and/ or vendors; and
• Those who are involved in the development and approval of customer service policies, practices and procedures.
Bennington Financial Corp. keeps a record of training that includes the dates training was provided and the number of employees who attended the training.
Revised training will be provided in the event of changes to legislation, procedures and/or practices.
Completion Date – January 1, 2012
Status – Implemented
Information and Communications
1. Accessible Formats and Communications Supports
Bennington Financial Corp. 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.
Upon request, we will provide or arrange for accessible formats and communications supports for persons with disabilities in a timely manner that takes into account the person’s accessibility needs.
Completion Date – January 1, 2016
Status – Ongoing
2. Accessible Websites and Web Content
Bennington Financial Corp. will take the necessary steps to make all new websites and contents on those sites conform to the World Wide Web Consortium’s Web Content (WCAG) 2.0.
Completion Date – January 1, 2014: All new Internet websites will conform with WCAG 2.0 Level A (currently there are no new company websites. All new websites and web content will conform.)
Completion Date – June 1, 2021: All Internet websites will conform with WCAG 2.0 Level AA
Status – In progress
3. Feedback Process
Processes for receiving and responding to feedback will be provided in an accessible format, or communication supports will be provided or arranged for upon request. We will notify the public via websites, that the accessible formats and communications supports are available.
When an accessible format is requested, the person making the request will be consulted to determine the suitability of the format. The public will be notified about the availability of accessible formats and communication supports.
Completion Date – December 31, 2012 and December 31, 2014
Status – Partially completed in 2012. Remainder ongoing.
Employment Standards- Assessment of barriers in employment
Bennington Financial Corp. is committed to fair and accessible employment practices.
Bennington Financial Corp. will identify, remove and prevent barriers in employment by evaluating policies and procedures as well as the overall workplace.
1. Recruitment
Upon request, Bennington Financial Corp. will accommodate people with disabilities during the recruitment, assessment, and selection processes. If a selected applicant reports a requirement for accommodation, Bennington Financial Corp. will consult with the applicant to provide or arrange suitable accommodation which takes into account the applicant's accessibility needs. Bennington Financial Corp. will inform all candidates about the availability of accommodations when called for an interview, during the selection process, at the time of the job offer and at orientation.
Completion Date – January 1, 2016
Status – Ongoing
2. Support information for new employees
Bennington Financial Corp. will inform employees of policies and supports for employees with disabilities as soon as practicable after new employees begin employment.
Bennington Financial Corp. will update information provided to employees as policies change.
Completion Date – January 1, 2016
Status – Ongoing
3. Accessible formats and communication
Bennington Financial Corp. will, upon request by an employee with a disability, provide accessible formats and communication supports for information in the workplace in consultation with the employee making the request.
Completion Date – January 1, 2016
Status - Ongoing
4. Document individualized plans
Bennington Financial Corp. will develop a written process for developing individual accommodation plans for employees with disabilities.
Bennington Financial Corp. will develop and implement a return-to-work process for employees absent due to disabilities who require accommodation to return to work.
Completion Date – January 1, 2016
Status – Ongoing
5. Performance Management/Career Development/Redeployment
Bennington Financial Corp. will take into account the accessibility needs of employees with disabilities and their individual accommodation plans: when assessing their performance, in managing their career development and advancement and when redeploying them.
Completion Date – January 1, 2016
Status – Ongoing
6. Workplace Emergency Response Information
Bennington Financial Corp. will provide individualized workplace emergency response information to employees who have disclosed a disability that is tailored to their specific needs.
With the employee’s consent, Bennington Financial Corp. will provide the workplace emergency response information to the person designated by the employer to provide assistance to the employee.
Customized plans will be reviewed if an employee moves to a new location in the organization, when their accommodation needs are reviewed and when Bennington Financial Corp. reviews its general emergency response policies.
Completion Date – January 1, 2012
Status – Ongoing
Through its Human Resources Department, Bennington Financial Corp. will monitor and evaluate accessibility initiatives and changes to applicable legislation and/or regulations. Changes to policies, plans and initiatives will be incorporated as required. Bennington Financial Corp. will also report on performance in relation to established accessibility goals and targets.
If you have questions on this Accessibility plan, want to provide feedback or have a complaint, the HR Department can be reached at [email protected] or 905-901-6200.