1. Statement of Principles
1.01 LiUNA Local 1059 and the Local 1059 Training Centre are committed to ensuring equal access and participation for people with disabilities in a manner that promotes dignity, self-respect, and independence. We are committed to integration and meeting the needs of individuals 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, 2005 (“AODA”) and other relevant legislation, as may be introduced or amended.
1.02 LiUNA Local 1059 and the Local 1059 Training Centre are committed to meeting all obligations under the Ontario Human Rights Code.
2. Purpose
2.01 The Accessible Service Plan & Policy (“Policy”) has been prepared to meet the compliance requirements of the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act, 2005 and is intended to benefit the full range of persons with disabilities, as defined in the Ontario Human Rights Code.
3. Scope
3.01 This Policy applies to all Local 1059 employees including the Executive Board, administrative staff, business manager and representatives, coordinators, legal counsel, students, volunteers and third parties who deal with the public on behalf of Local 1059.
4. Definitions
4.01 Assistive Device is a technical aid, communication device or other instrument that is used to maintain or improve functional abilities of people with disabilities.
4.02 Barrier is anything that prevents a person with a disability from fully participating in all aspects of society because of his or her disability, including a physical barrier, an architectural barrier, an information or communications barrier, an attitudinal barrier, a technological barrier, a policy or a practice.
4.03 Disability means:
- any degree of physical disability, infirmity, malformation or disfigurement that is caused by bodily injury, birth defect or illness and, without limiting the generality of the foregoing, includes diabetes mellitus, epilepsy, a brain injury, any degree of paralysis, amputation, lack of physical co-ordination, blindness or visual impediment, deafness or hearing impediment, muteness or speech impediment, or physical reliance on a guide dog or other animal or on a wheelchair or other remedial appliance or device.
- a condition of mental impairment or a developmental disability.
- a learning disability, or a dysfunction in one or more of the processes involved in understanding or using symbols or spoken language.
- a mental disorder
- an injury or disability for which benefits were claimed or received under the insurance plan established under the Workplace Safety and Insurance Act, 1997.
5. Assistive Devices
5.01 Local 1059 is committed to serving persons with disabilities who use assistive devices to access our services. Local 1059 will provide training to all employees on or about the assistive devices that persons with disabilities may use to access Local 1059‘s goods and
services.
6. Communication
6.01 When communicating with a person with a disability, Local 1059 will do so in a way that takes into account the person’s individual requirements. Communication methods can include in person, by telephone, electronically, by mail, visually, orally or by written means.
7. Service Animals
7.01 Service animals, including guide dogs, accompanying persons with disabilities will be allowed on the premises in spaces that are open to the public.
7.02 All service animals would be required to remain with the individual with the disability, unless otherwise excluded by law, such as when inclusion would be objectively unsafe.
7.02 If exclusion of the service animal is required by law, the Training Centre shall provide the individual with reasons for the exclusion and explore alternative ways to meet accessibility needs.
7.03 In circumstances where it is not clear that an accompanying animal is a service animal as defined at sec. 80.45 of O. Reg 165/16, the Union may request a letter from a qualified health professional confirming that the person requires the animal for reasons relating to his/her disability.
8. Support Persons
8.01 A person with a disability may enter Local 1059’s premises accompanied by a support person and may have access to that support person at all times.
8.02 Consent from the person with a disability is required when communicating private issues related to the person with a disability, in the presence of a support person.
9. Notice of Temporary Disruption
9.01 Local 1059 will make reasonable efforts to provide all persons affected with notice in the event of any disruption in the services or facilities regularly used by people with disabilities. Local 1059 may not be able to give advance notice in an emergency disruption.
9.02 This notice will include information about the reasons for the disruption, its anticipated duration, and a description of alternative services or facilities, if available.
9.03 Signs and printed notices will be displayed prominently at the entrance, backdoor and elevators. Local 1059 will also display a notice on the website, if applicable.
10. Emergency Situations
10.01 All employees will be familiar with emergency procedures and how to assist anyone who may require help during an emergency.
11. Commitment to Training
11.01 Local 1059 will provide training to all employees and others who deal with the public or other third parties on Local 1059’s behalf. Training will also be provided to all persons involved in the development of policies, plans, practices and procedures related to the provision of our goods and services.
11.02 New employees shall be trained within three (3) months or by the end of their probationary period, whichever comes first.
11.03 Training will include:
- An overview of the AODA and the requirements of 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 support person.
- How to offer assistance if a person with a disability is having difficulty in accessing Local 1059’s goods and services.
- Review of Local 1059’s policies, practices and procedures relating to the customer service standard and any other applicable standard.
11.04 Staff will be trained on an ongoing basis when changes are made to the Policy.
12. Feedback Process
12.01 Feedback regarding the manner in which we provide access to our services and facilities for individuals with disabilities, including the feedback process itself.
12.02 Local 1059 will review all feedback, including complaints, in a timely manner and will endeavour to provide response, if applicable, within three (3) weeks of receipt.
12.03 Feedback can be provided to us in the following ways:
- In Person: At either of the Local 1059 Administration Office (2nd Floor) or the Local 1059 Training Centre
- Telephone:
- Local 1059 Administration Office: (519) 455-808
- Local 1059 Training Centre: (519) 455-0712
- Regular Mail: 635 Wilton Grove Rd., London, Ontario, N6N 1N7
- Electronic Mail:
- Local 1059 Administration Office: admin@liunalocal1059.ca
- Local 1059 Training Centre: training@liunalocal1059.ca
- Via our website: On our ‘Contact Us’ page
12.04 If alternate formats or communication supports are required to provide feedback, please contact LIUNA Local 1059 or the Training Centre, as applicable. Please note our full AODA Accessibility Policy can be found on the Main Page of our Website.
13. Notice of Availability
13.01 This Policy and any corresponding practices and procedures will be made available to any person upon request. Local 1059 shall post notice of the availability of these documents on Local 1059’s website.
14. Modifications to This Or Other Policies
14.01 Any policy, practice or procedure of Local 1059’s that does not respect and promote the principles of dignity, independence, integration and equal opportunity for people with disabilities will be modified and removed.
14.02 This policy was implemented on January 1, 2016 in accordance with the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act, 2005. It is reviewed annually and updated as necessary to ensure ongoing compliance and relevance. This version is current as of January 1, 2025.