Oxfam Canada Accessibility Plan 2023-2028
Oxfam Canada is committed to providing a barrier-free environment for anyone who seeks to enter Oxfam Canada’s offices, interact with Oxfam Canada staff in Canada, or access our information and services. We are committed to making every reasonable effort to ensure that people with disabilities are treated with dignity and respect, and to providing people with disabilities with the same opportunities to access our services and opportunities for employment, retention and promotion.
Oxfam Canada has established and will maintain policies, practices and procedures to support our commitment to the accessibility standards defined in the, Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act, 2005 – O. Reg. 429/07 and applies to all of Oxfam Canada’s operations in Canada.
We are dedicated to accommodating people with disabilities who access Oxfam Canada services, who are employed or applying to work for Oxfam Canada, in a manner that respects their dignity and that is equitable in relation to the broader public.
In order to do this, Oxfam Canada will establish, maintain and implement a multi-year accessibility plan to outline our strategy to prevent and remove barriers to accessibility and meet our requirements under the AODA. The plan will:
1. Identify what steps have been taken to improve accessibility at Oxfam Canada.
2. Outline our framework for addressing accessibility initiatives
3. Establish goals for specific improvements to accessibility.
4. Develop action plans for meeting our goals, in accordance with the deadlines set by the AODA.
5. Seek input and suggestions on the Accessibility Plan from the disability community.
6. Present Annual progress report to all staff
As a progressive document, the multi-year accessibility plan will be reviewed at a minimum every 5 years, or as needed. It will report on progress being made on the implementation of the planned activities.
Oxfam Canada Accessibility Plan 2023-2028
General Requirements
Accessibility Requirement
Accessibility policy for employees and client service
Details of Requirement Action to be taken
Develop an accessibility policy that contains a statement of organizational commitment to provide accommodations for individuals with disabilities, including employees, interns, volunteers, tenants, contractors, and visitors.
Develop policy and publicize.
Establishment of multi-year accessibility plan
Develop multi- year accessibility plan, including statement of organizational commitment
Review and revise policy
Finalize statement of Organizational Commitment
Post policy on website, in accessible format and provide accessible feedback form with established process for dealing with feedback
Status
Completed January 2012
Completed May 2023
Completed October 2023
Responsible Authority
Develop multi-year Accessibility Plan that outlines the goals and initiatives which further strengthen OCA’s dedication to fostering an inclusive and accessible environment for all individuals
Completed March 2023
Human Resources
Completed October 2023
Human Resources
Accessibility Requirement
General Requirements
Details of Requirement Action to be taken
Status
Ongoing
Responsible Authority
Training on AODA and the Ontario Human Rights Code
Train all employees, interns, volunteers, and contract staff on both AODA and OHRC
Ensure AODA training is completed as part of new hire’s onboarding
Public meetings / Events
Ensure that the meeting and/or event venue is fully accessible to all attendees, irrespective of their physical abilities.
Ensure OHRC training rolled out and completed by all staff, volunteers and interns
Since January 2015 and ongoing as related to new hires Human Resources
Completed/ Ongoing
September 2023 and ongoing as related to new hires
At events/ meetings, provide materials in accessible format based on the unique needs of those attending public meetings and/or events as identified/requested.
Since January 2012 and ongoing as needed Department Directors/Event Organizers
Develop checklist document for event organizers.
Completed 2023 Human Resources
Accessibility Requirement
Recruitment, assessment and selection processes
Employment Standard
Details of Requirement Action to be Taken Status
Notification about accommodation availability for applicants with disabilities
Provide suitable accommodation that considers the applicant's accessibility needs
Notify the public regarding availability of accommodation
Workplace emergency response information
Develop workplace emergency plans for employees with disabilities
Job postings and invitations to interviews to notify of availability of accommodation
Provide appropriate accommodation when requested at any stage of the recruitment process
Ensure careers page and all postings notify availability of accommodation
Ensure individualized emergency evacuation plan is developed and provided for employees who self-identify
Ongoing since January 2016
Ongoing since January 2016
Completed and ongoing since January 2016
Responsible Authority
Human Resources
Documented individual accommodation plans
Inform employees that accommodations are available to assist in performing their duties
Ongoing since January 2012
Inform employees that accommodations are available Ongoing since January 2016
Develop and share accommodation policy with staff
Review policy, update as needed and share with staff
Completed August 2022
Human Resources
Ongoing – bi-yearly
Human Resources
Human Resources
Individual accommodation plans are
Develop individual accommodation plans with Ongoing Since January
Human Resources
Accessibility Requirement
Performance management process
Career development and advancement
Employment Standard
Details of Requirement Action to be Taken Status
in a format that considers the employee's accessibility needs due to disability
Individual accommodation plans are documented.
Ensure return to work process is in compliance with legislation and individual restrictions
Performance management considers the employee’s accessibility needs
Career development, retention and succession planning considers the employee’s accessibility needs
employee to address accessibility needs when requested 2016
Document individual accommodation plans
Develop an individualized return to work plan based on restrictions, accommodation needs and compliance requirements
Provide guidance to management on how to ensure accessibility needs are considered in the performance management process
Provide guidance to management on how to ensure accessibility needs are considered in career development, retention and succession planning
Responsible Authority
As required since January 2016 Human Resources
Completed and ongoing as needed Since January 2016 Human Resources
As required and ongoing
Human Resources
As required and ongoing Human Resources
Accessibility Requirement
Develop Feedback Form
Customer Service Standard
Details of Requirement Action to be Taken Status
Establishment of feedback form and process and response procedure
Accessible Forms Documents and information to be available a person with a disability in an accessible format and/or with communication support
Building accessibility regulations are met and kept updated to comply with the standards.
Create and make available a feedback form and response procedure
Building Accessibility
All levels of the building to be accessible
Gather input from staff members on existing and perceived accessibility needs
Identify accessibility gaps in physical work space
Responsible Authority
Completed January 2012, update as needed Human Resources
Create and make available documents and information in an accessible format on request to a person with a disability As requested since January 2016 Communications
Ensure building accessibility standards are reviewed regularly and changes are made as needed to comply with updated standards
Install a chair lift to provide access to the upper floor.
Conduct Quarterly inspection of chair lift
Conduct annual accessibility survey with all staff members to gather their input.
Ongoing
Previously met standards but further updates needed 2024
Completed June 2009
Ongoing since 2009
Completed 2022 and ongoing
Complete a comprehensive facility audit to identify any existing gaps 2024 and Ongoing
Finance and Operations
Finance and Operations
Finance and Operations
Finance and Operations
Information and Communications Standard
Accessibility Requirement Details of Requirement Action to be Taken Status
Feedback Process Established accessible feedback processes
Accessible formats and communication support
Accessible websites and web content
Ensure accessible feedback processes are in place, including digital processes
Responsible Authority
Completed Since January 2015 Human Resources
Ensure availability of accessible formats and communication supports Make accessible formats and communication supports available upon request As required Since January 2016 Communications
Ensure all new and refreshed Internet websites and web content on those sites conform with WCAG 2.0 level A
Engage consultants who are specialized in accessible websites designs to ensure all new and refreshed Internet websites and web content on those sites conform with WCAG 2.0 level A
All Internet website and web content conform with WCAG 2.0 level AA
Monitor all new content on Internet website and web content to ensure it conforms with WCAG 2.0 level AA
Completed January 2021 Oxfam Canada site is developed to meet Level 1 and Level 2 (where applicable) Communications
Completed March 2023
Ongoing monitoring of new content Communications
Review and Update
This document was reviewed and updated on October 2023
