Accessibility Plan

Accessibility Plan and Policy:

The accessibility plan outlines the policies and actions which Sleep Country Canada will put into place to improve accessibility and opportunities for those with disabilities. This plan has been formulated to comply with the requirements under Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA).

Commitment to persons with disabilities:

Sleep Country is committed to treating all people in a way that allows them to maintain their dignity and independence. We are committed to providing an accessible environment in which people with disabilities can access our goods, services, stores, and offices in a manner which respects their independence, dignity, integration, and equality of opportunity. We will deliver on this commitment by incorporating the principles of integration and equal opportunity, and by meeting accessibility requirements under the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA).

Accessible Emergency Information:

Sleep Country Canada is committed to providing the customers and clients with publicly available emergency information in an accessible way upon request. We will also provide employees with disabilities with individualized emergency response information when necessary. Sleep Country Canada will consult, develop, determine, document, review, and update individual accommodation plans and will maintain measures to ensure the privacy of associates with disabilities.

Training:

Sleep Country Canada will provide training to employees, volunteers and other staff members on Ontario’s accessibility laws and on the Human Rights Code as it relates to people with disabilities. Training will be provided in a way that best suits the duties of employees, volunteers and other staff members. Training will include, but is not limited to, the AODA and the Ontario Human Rights Code as it pertains to persons with disabilities.

Sleep Country Canada will ensure training is provided to all employees which meets Ontario’s accessibility laws.

Sleep Country Canada utilizes training materials which include the following;

  • The Human Rights Code as it pertains to persons with disabilities.
  • Customer service requirements
  • Employment accommodation
  • Information and communication standards
  • Sleep Country Canada’s policies, practices, and procedures relating to the customer service standard.

Training will be provided during new associate orientation, or within the first three weeks of employment. Associates will receive training on an ongoing basis when changes are made to the legislation or Sleep Country Canada’s internal policies and procedures.

Customer service standards:

  • Communication and Feedback
    • We will communicate with people with a disability in ways which take into account their disability and takes reasonable effort to ensure that the person with a disability understands the content of its communication.
    • Reasonable efforts shall be made to ensure that communication in all formats (e.g., verbal, written or electronic) are presented in a manner that is accessible. Special requests regarding communication formals shall not be unreasonably declined.
    • We are committed to providing fully accessible telephone services to our customers. We will train associates to communicate with customers over the telephone in clear and plain language and to speak clearly.
    • We will offer to communicate with customers via email or relay services if telephone communication is not suitable to their communication needs.
  • Accessible Invoices
    • We are committed to providing accessible invoices to all customers. Invoices will be provided in the following formats upon request: hard copy, large print, e-mail. We will answer any questions customers may have about the content of the invoice in person, by telephone or by email.
  • Assistive devices
    • We will serve people who use assistive devices to obtain, use or benefit from our goods and services.
    • We will ensure that our associates are trained and familiar with various assistive devices that may be used by customers with disabilities while accessing our goods or services.
  • Support animals
    • Persons with disabilities who are accompanied by a service animal will be permitted to enter the companies’ premises with the animal and keep the animal with them in areas where the public is allowed.
    • We will ensure that associates who deal with members of the public are properly trained in how to interact with people with disabilities who are accompanied by a service animal.
  • Support persons
    • We welcome people persons with disabilities who are accompanied by a support person into our stores and public spaces. At no time will a person with a disability who is accompanied by a support person be prevented from having access to their support person while on our premises.
    • When addressing a person with a disability who is accompanied by a support person, associates will communicate directly with the person with a disability. If confidential information is being exchanged and the person with a disability requests to discuss the information in private, the request will be accommodated and the support person will be asked to wait in another area.
  • Notice of temporary disruption
    • On occasion, some of the services, equipment, or facilities used by persons with disabilities to access the company’s property, goods, and services may not be available due to temporary disruptions. For example, ramps, elevators, accessible washrooms which are not accessible due to scheduled or unscheduled maintenance. In the event of a temporary disruption, the company will provide notice that the service, equipment, or facility is temporarily unavailable. Notice will be provided in advance where disruptions are planned and within a reasonable timeframe when disruptions are unplanned.

Recruitment and Career Development:

  • Recruitment
    • Sleep Country Canada will notify all applicants about availability of accommodation for applicants with disabilities in its recruitment process.
    • We will ensure that all job applicants are notified when they are selected to participate in the assessment or selection process and that accommodation for disabilities are available upon request in relation to the materials or processes to be used.
    • We will consult with individuals who request accommodations and will provide for appropriate accommodations.
  • Notice of Support
    • When presenting offers of employment, we will notify the successful candidate of its policies for accommodating associates with disabilities.
    • We will ensure that all associates are informed of all accessibility policies (and subsequent updates of those policies) used to support associates with disabilities, including policies on the provision of job accommodations that take into account an associates accessibility needs due to disability. The information will be provided to new associates as a part of their orientation or within the first three (3) weeks of hire.
  • Accommodation Plans
    • Sleep Country Canada will develop individualized accommodation plans for its associates with disabilities, as Sleep Country Canada is made aware. Sleep Country Canada will implement and maintain measures effective to maintain the privacy of its associates with disabilities.
    • We will invite associates with disabilities to identify existing accessibility barriers and provide feedback and input on preventing and/or eliminating barriers.
  • Return to Work Process
    • Accessibility requirements under AODA and the Integrated Accessibility Standards Regulations (IASR) will be incorporated into existing return to work processes to ensure barriers in accommodation are eliminated.
    • We will ensure that our accommodation process includes the development of documented individual accommodation plans for employees who have identified the need for such accommodation.
  • Career Development
    • We will not discriminate in hiring, promotion, training, compensation or any other employment practices on any prohibited grounds including disability.

Accessible websites and content:

Sleep Country is pleased to confirm that all of its websites and content conform with the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) 2.0 Level AA.

Feedback:

Should there be questions about the policy or if the purpose of the policy is not understood, an explanation shall be provided by or referred to the Human Resources Department of Sleep Country Canada.

Feedback may be made in a variety of methods including:

  • Phone
  • In person
  • Fax
  • Email
  • Website

Accessible formats of our Accessibility Policy and Plan are available upon request.

Multi-Year Accessibility Plan 2022 - 2025:

The Multi-Year Accessibility Plan outlines how Sleep Country Canada is responding to legislated obligations to identify, prevent, and remove barriers for persons with disabilities. The 2023 – 2025 plan builds upon the 2012-2022 plan and the work previously completed to meet the requirements of the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA) and highlights our commitment to making Sleep Country Canada accessible to all individuals with disabilities.

Past Achievements to Remove Barriers:

Several key initiatives were completed as part of the 2012-2022 Accessibility plan. Highlights include:

  • Serving our customers better by;
    • A Customer Service Standards Policy was adopted by all customer facing associates to ensure that we have remained in compliance with the Customer Service Standards outlined in AODA.
    • Providing mandatory accessibility training for all associates on how to provide quality customer service to individuals with disabilities.
    • Accessible formats and communication supports for persons with disabilities are available upon request.
    • Delivering more accessible digital content and services.
  • Improving employment opportunities for persons with disabilities by;
    • Building awareness regarding accommodating employees with disabilities through mandatory training.
    • Our New Hire Orientation training curriculum has been expanded to include mandatory Disability Awareness training, as well as, training on our internal policies used to support associates with disabilities and accommodation needs they may have.
    • As part of our recruitment process, a statement of accommodations being available to all applicants with disabilities has been added to all of our job postings.
    • Expansion of our mental health resources available to associates.
    • A Respect in the Workplace policy was implemented.

2023 – 2025 Initiatives:

  • Customer Service Standards:
    • An Accessibility Advisory Committee will be established to ensure standards are being met and policies and procedures are revised as required.
    • Training on Sensitivity Awareness which creates learning opportunities on how to respond to various workplace scenarios will be made available to all associates.
    • Accessibility standards for social media content is to be established.
  • Inclusive Employment:
    • Diversity, equity, and inclusion councils have been established to better understand the barriers these groups face in day to day activities, as well as, during the course of employment.
    • Training on creating diverse teams in the workplace will be made available to all management members of the organization.
  • Removing Physical Barriers:
    • Establishment of a standard for barrier free access to all newly constructed or retrofitted public spaces.

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