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Accessibility Plan

Accessibility Plan for Kronis, Rotsztain, Margles, Cappel LLP

This 2014-2021 accessibility plan outlines the policies and actions that Kronis, Rotsztain, Margles, Cappel LLP (KRMC) will put in place to improve opportunities for people with disabilities.

Statement of Commitment

KRMC 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

KRMC is committed to providing clients with publicly available emergency information in an accessible way upon request. We will also provide firm members with disabilities with individualized emergency response information when necessary.

Training

In addition to the training that KRMC currently provides to firm members under the Accessibility Standards for Customer Service, KRMC will provide training to firm members on Ontario’s accessibility laws and on the Ontario Human Rights Code as it relates to people with disabilities. Training will be provided in a way that best suits the duties of firm members.
KRMC will take the following steps to ensure that firm members are provided with the training needed to meet Ontario’s accessibility laws by January 1, 2015:

  • Develop appropriate training content and training plan for current firm members to be implemented no later than January 1, 2015.
  • Begin including this training during orientation for new hires beginning January 1, 2015.
  • Maintain training records of the training that is provided.

Information and Communications

KRMC is committed to meeting the communication needs of people with disabilities. KRMC currently has a process in place where people with disabilities can let us know how we have done in meeting their needs when providing our services to them.
KRMC will take the following steps to ensure that, upon request, all existing feedback processes that are exchanged with people with disabilities are provided in such a way that takes their disability into account by January 1, 2015:

  • Identify any existing feedback processes in place and review these processes for any barriers to access that may be present.
  • Should any barrier be identified, take the appropriate steps to remove these barriers.

KRMC will also ensure that all publicly available information is made accessible upon request by January 1, 2016. When a request for an accessible format is presented to KRMC, KRMC will:

  • Consult with the individual directly to determine what their needs are.
  • Provide the requested information in a format that meets their accessibility needs in a timely manner.

KRMC will take the following steps to make our website and website content conform to WCAG 2.0, Level AA by January 1, 2021:

  • Audit our current website and content to determine levels of compliance by January 1, 2017.
  • Conduct research on what will be involved in making these changes to our website by January 1, 2018.
  • Upon the completion of research, establish a project plan, the goal of which will be the implementation of any required revisions to our website, on or before January 1, 2021.

Employment

KRMC is committed to fair and accessible employment practices and will implement the following employment related requirements under Ontario’s accessibility laws by January 1, 2016:

  • We will develop standard language to be included in all internal and external job postings and advertisements to notify the public and firm members that, when requested, KRMC will accommodate people with disabilities during the recruitment and selection process and when individuals are hired or apply for internal opportunities.
  • KRMC will take the following steps to implement a process for developing individual accommodation plans and return-to-work policies for firm members who have been absent due to a disability:

o Review existing practices regarding accommodation and return-to-work policies.
o Revise existing practices to be compliant with the requirements under Ontario’s accessibility laws by the specified deadline.

  • When undertaking performance management or career development practices, KRMC will ensure that any accessibility needs of firm members with disabilities are taken into account. This will include reviewing any current accommodation plans that may already be in place.

Accessible Client Service Policy

Communication

KRMC firm members are committed to communicating with people with disabilities in a manner that takes into account their disability. All KRMC firm members who are dealing with the public will be trained on such methods.

Assistive Devices

KRMC understands that some people with disabilities may require the aid of an assistive device and will allow and welcome any such device on the premises.

Service Animals

KRMC welcomes people with disabilities and their service animals. Service animals are allowed on the parts of the premises that are open to the public.

Support Persons

A person with a disability who is accompanied by a support person will be able to have that person accompany them on the premises. Clients with disabilities will be allowed to use their support persons while accessing services in the parts of the premises that are open to the public or third parties.

Notice of Temporary Disruption

In the event of a planned or unexpected disruption to services or facilities for clients with disabilities, KRMC will notify clients promptly. A written notice will be posted on the main entrance door to the building, and will include information about the reasons for disruption, its anticipated length of time, and a description of alternative facilities or services, if available. Alternatively, notices may also be posted on the firm’s website.

Training

KRMC will provide training to all firm members who deal with the public or other third parties on their behalf. This training will be provided as soon as reasonably possible but most commonly will be completed during new employee orientation.
Training will include:

  • The purpose of the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act, 2005.
  • The rules in the standard
  • How to interact and communicate with people with disabilities
  • How to serve a person who has a service animal
  • How to serve a person who has a support person
  • How to serve a person who uses assistive devices, like canes or hearing aids
  • How to use assisted devices offered by the provider to help people with disabilities
  • What to do if a person with a disability is having problems accessing their services

To provide feedback on how we have provided our services to someone with a disability, for more information on the Accessibility Plan or the Accessible Client Service Policy, or to request a copy of this information in an accessible format, please contact Human Resources:

By telephone: 416-225-8750
By facsimile: 416-225-7214
By regular mail: 25 Sheppard Ave. W., Suite 1100
Toronto, ON M2N 6S6
You may also contact us by e-mail by clicking on the ‘contact’ tab on our website and then clicking on the option to send a message. Please address your message to ‘Human Resources’ so that it may be forwarded appropriately