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Multi Year Accessibility Plan

(Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act, 2005 and Integrated Accessibility Standard Regulations (191/11))

Statement of Commitment

Lerners is committed to providing people with disabilities the same opportunities to access our services and allowing them to benefit from the same services, in the same place and in a similar manner as other clients and visitors. Lerners will provide these opportunities by preventing and removing barriers to accessibility in accordance with the accessibility objectives and requirements under the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act, 2005 (“AODA”).

Lerners is also committed to providing a work environment whereby all firm members receive an equal employment opportunity and accommodation where required, in accordance with the requirements under the AODA and theIntegrated Accessibility Standards Regulation (191/11) (“IASR”).

This Plan outlines current policies and new policies and actions that Lerners will put into place to improve opportunities for people with disabilities.

Integrated Accessibility Standards Regulation (IASR)

Lerners’ Multi-Year Accessibility Plan (“Plan”) sets out the firm’s strategy to address our current and future accessibility objectives in accordance with the requirements of the Act and IASR. As required by the Act and the IASR, this Plan will be reviewed and updated every 5 years.

The requirements applicable to Lerners are as follows —

  • Client service standards;
  • Emergency response information;
  • Information and communications;
  • Employment practices;
  • Design of public spaces;
  • Training; and
  • Reporting.

Client Service Standards

Lerners strives to provide its services in a manner that respects the dignity and independence of everyone involved, including people with disabilities. In 2011 Lerners established a Client Service Policy for Providing Goods and Services to People with Disabilities to meet its obligations under the AODA.

All firm members are trained on the purpose and requirements of the AODA on an ongoing basis as required and training is provided to new firm members during their new hire orientation.

Assistive devices are available to people with disabilities and the appropriate firm members are trained and familiar with various assistive devices. The firm’s assistive devices include, but are not limited to wheel chairs, Bell TTY relay services, oxygen tanks, large print documents and client voicemail and email access.

Lerners accommodates people with disabilities who are accompanied by a registered service animal, or support person in the areas of our premises that are open to the public.

Notice is provided to clients and visitors in the event of a planned or unexpected disruption in our facilities or services. This notice includes the reason for the disruption, its anticipated duration and a description of alternative facilities or services, if available.

Lerners has established a feedback process to receive and respond to inquiries and comments by mail, email, phone, fax and in person.

Emergency Response Information

Lerners is committed to providing clients and visitors with publicly available emergency information in an accessible manner upon request. Firm members with disabilities are provided with individualized emergency response information and accommodation, as required.

Information and Communication Standards

Lerners’ ultimate goal is to meet and surpass client and visitor expectations while serving clients and visitors with disabilities. Lerners welcomes comments on how well clients’ and visitors’ expectations are being met. A feedback process is available on Lerners’ website at https://www.lerners.ca/accessibility/accessibility-lerners-llp-feedback-form/ for such comments.

Lerners consults with people with disabilities to determine their information needs and provides various accessible formats of information and communication in a timely fashion, upon request.

In 2014 Lerners complied with the provisions of the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (“WCAG”) 2.0, Level A, by providing an accessible website and web content.

Action to be Taken

By January 1st, 2021, Lerners will take the required action to ensure its website and all new website content conforms to all WCAG 2.0, Level AA requirements.

Employment Practices

Lerners is committed to providing fair and accessible employment practices. Lerners will accommodate people with disabilities during the recruitment and assessment processes and when people with disabilities are hired.

Lerners develops an individual accommodation and return-to-work plan for firm members who have been absent from work due to a disability and require accommodation upon their return.

Action to be Taken

By January 1st, 2016, Lerners will have taken the required action to comply with the employment practice requirements of the Act and the IASR pertaining to recruitment, selection, new hire orientation, performance management and career development.

Design of Public Spaces

Lerners will continue to meet the Accessibility Standards when building or making major modifications to public spaces, including —

  • Outdoor paths of travel such as sidewalks, ramps and stairs;
  • Accessible off street parking;
  • Service related elements such as service counters and waiting areas.

Training

By January 1st, 2015, Lerners will provide the required training on Ontario’s accessibility laws and the Human Rights Code as it relates to people with disabilities to all existing firm members and volunteers. After January 1st, 2015, training will be provided to all new firm members during the new hire orientation process. A record of the required training will be maintained.

Reporting

In accordance with the Act, Lerners complied with the reporting requirements in 2014 and will complete the required accessibility report every 3 years.

Feedback Process

Feedback regarding accessibility at Lerners can be provided in the following manners —

  • in person, or by Canada Post mail regarding the London Office to
    Yola S. Ventresca, Managing Partner
    Christina Weir, Senior Director of HR
    Lerners LLP
    85 Dufferin Avenue, Box 2335
    London, ON N6A 4G4
  • in person, or by Canada Post mail regarding the Toronto Office to
    Anne E. Spafford, Managing Partner
    Christina Weir, Senior Director of HR
    Lerners LLP
    130 Adelaide Street West, Suite 2400
    Toronto, ON M5H 3P5
  • by Canada Post mail regarding the Strathroy Office to
    Yola S. Ventresca, Managing Partner
    Christina Weir, Senior Director of HR
    Lerners LLP
    53 Front Street West
    Strathroy ON N7G 1X6
  • by Canada Post mail regarding the Waterloo Region to
    Yola S. Ventresca, Managing Partner
    Christina Weir, Senior Director of HR
    Lerners LLP
    9 Ahrens Street W
    Kitchener, ON N2H 4B6
  • by email regarding the London, Strathroy, and Waterloo Region Office to
    Yola S. Ventresca at yventresca@lerners.ca
    Christina Weir at cweir@lerners.ca
  • by email regarding the Toronto Office to
    Anne E. Spafford at aspafford@lerners.ca
    Christina Weir at cweir@lerners.ca
  • by direct personal fax regarding the London, Strathroy, and Waterloo Region Office to
    Yola S. Ventresca – 519-640-6378
    Christina Weir – 519-640-6359
  • by direct personal fax regarding the Toronto Office to
    Anne E. Spafford – 416-867-2437
    Christina Weir – 519-640-6359
  • by direct phone regarding the London, Strathroy, and Waterloo Region Office to
    Yola S. Ventresca – 519-640-6378
    Christina Weir – 519-640-6359
  • by direct phone regarding the Toronto Office to
    Anne E. Spafford — 416-601-2388
    Christina Weir – 519-640-6359
  • by accessing the Feedback form on Lerners’ Website at https://www.lerners.ca/accessibility/accessibility-lerners-llp-feedback-form/

All feedback will be directed to the respective Managing Partner and Director of Human Resources for review and consideration. All feedback will be maintained by the Director of Human Resources.

Clients and the public can expect to receive a response to their feedback in the appropriate accessible manner within ten (10) business days of receipt of the feedback.

Last updated: January 2023