Accessibility Policy Statement
Foster & Associates “(Foster)” is committed to ensuring accessibility for all persons with a disability and providing excellent service to all customers, including people with disabilities.

For this Policy, “visitor” includes clients, members of the public, and third-party providers, such as consultants, vendors, and professional service providers.

Foster always will strive to provide goods or services promptly that respect the dignity and independence of persons with disabilities. We will give persons with disabilities an equal opportunity to obtain, use and benefit from the goods or services.

Assistive Devices
People with disabilities may use their assistive devices when visiting our offices. 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 access to our services or facilities.

Foster will ensure that management is trained and familiar with various assistive devices used by customers with disabilities while accessing our goods or services. Staff will always ask before assuming that assistance is required.

Information and Communications 

Foster, and all who interact with the public on our behalf, shall respectfully and considerately communicate with people with disabilities. We will work with the person with disabilities to determine what method of communication works for them.

When asked, we will provide information about our organization and its services, including public safety information, in accessible formats or with communication supports.

We will also meet internationally recognized Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) 2.0 Level AA website requirements according to the accessibility laws of Ontario.

Employment 

Accommodations are available on request for candidates taking part in all aspects of the selection process.

Foster will notify staff that supports are available for those with disabilities.

Where needed, Foster will also provide customized emergency information to help an employee with a disability during an emergency.

Performance management and career development processes will consider the accessibility needs of all employees.

Service Animals

Foster welcomes people with disabilities and their service animals. Service animals are allowed in all parts of our offices that are open to the public. Staff may ask to see documentation to ensure that any service animal brought into the office is a certified service animal.

Support Persons

A support person who accompanies a person with a disability will be allowed into our offices and will always have access to that person. A designated support person will need to sign a confidentiality agreement per our confidentiality provisions and requirements.

Notice of Temporary Disruption

In the event of a planned or unexpected disruption to services or facilities for personnel and visitors with disabilities, Foster will notify everyone promptly in noticeable locations, for example, signs outside the doors and next to the disrupted service. This 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 for Employees

Foster will provide AODA training to all persons who participate in developing the firm’s policies, and who interact with the public or other third parties on behalf of the firm. We will train every person as soon as practicable and provide training in connection with any changes.

Training on accessibility relates to specific roles and includes:

• An overview of the Accessibility for Ontarians withDisabilities Act, 2005 (AODA) and the requirements of this accessibility policy;

• 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;

• How to use any equipment or devices Foster may have on-site that may help with providing goods or services to people with disabilities; and

• What to do if a person with a disability is having difficulty in accessing our services.

We will notify employees when we make changes to this Policy.

Workplace Emergency Response

Foster will provide individualized workplace emergency response information to those employees who have a disability and review it, as necessary.

Feedback Process

Clients and visitors who wish to provide feedback on our services to people with disabilities can contact Candace Brereton by email at info@fostergroup.ca.

Employees who wish to provide feedback or make a request respecting workplace accessibility should contact the Chief Compliance Officer.

We will address complaints according to regular Foster procedures and respond in no less than five business days.

Modifications to This or Other Policies

Any Foster policy that does not respect and promote the dignity and independence of people with disabilities will be modified or removed.