CUPW Accessibility Policies and Multi-Year Accessibility Plan

Statement of Commitment - Message from the National President
Accessibility Policies
Accessible Service Standard
Multi-year accessibility Plan
Section One: Past Achievements to Remove and Prevent Barriers

Customers services
Information and Communications
Employment
Procurement
Training
Facilities - National office

Section Two: Strategies and Actions in progress and/or planned

Services to members of the public and CUPW members
Information and Communications
Employment
Training
Facilities

Statement of Commitment - Message from the National President

CUPW is committed to ensuring equal access and participation for people with disabilities. We are committed to treating people with disabilities in a way that allows them to maintain their dignity, equality, and autonomy.

In Solidarity,

Jan Simpson
National President
Canadian Union of Postal Workers
377 Bank Street, Ottawa, ON K2P 1Y3
Phone: 613-236-9539
Email: [email protected]

Accessibility Policies

Statement of Commitment

Training

We are committed to training staff, elected members, and volunteers in Ontario’s accessibility laws and aspects of the Ontario Human Rights Code that relate to persons with disabilities.

We will train our employees, elected members, and volunteers on accessibility as it relates to their specific roles.

Procurement

We will incorporate accessibility criteria and features when procuring or acquiring goods, services, or facilities, including self-serve facilities. If it is not possible and practical to do so, we will provide an explanation upon request.

Information and communications

We will communicate with people with disabilities in ways that consider their disability. 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 continue to meet internationally recognized Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) 2.0 Level AA website requirements in accordance with Ontario’s accessibility laws.

Employment

We will notify employees, potential hires and the public that accommodations can be made during recruitment and hiring.

We will notify staff that supports are available for those with disabilities. We will put in place a process to develop individual accommodation plans for employees.

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

Our HR management, career development and redeployment processes will consider the accessibility needs of all employees.

Design of Public Spaces

Where applicable we will meet accessibility laws when building or making major changes to public spaces. Public spaces include:

Service-related elements like service counters, self-serve facilities and waiting areas
Conferencing and accommodation facilities
Outdoor paths of travel, like sidewalks, ramps, stairs, curb ramps, and accessible pedestrian signals
Accessible off-street parking

We will put procedures in place to prevent service disruptions to our accessible parts of our public spaces.

Changes to existing policies

We will modify or remove an existing policy that does not respect and promote the dignity equality, and autonomy of people with disabilities.

Accessible Service Standard

This “Accessible Service Standard” lays out CUPW’s commitment to an “Customer Service Standard”, as required under Ontario Regulation 191/11 made under the “Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act” (AODA) 2005. For the purposes of this document “Union Members” and “Members of the public” shall mean “Customer” as intended under the accessibility laws of Ontario.

Statement of Commitment

Definition of Disability

Disability is used in this document as defined in the Ontario Human Rights Code and 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 coordination, 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 developmental disability,
a learning disability, or dysfunction in one or more of the processes involved in understanding or using symbols or spoken language,
a mental disorder, or
an injury or disability for which benefits where claimed or received under the insurance plan established under the Workplace Safety and Insurance Act, 1997.

Application

This policy applies to situations involving members with disabilities participating in union events and activities, and to members of the public interacting with CUPW or accessing materials or services offered by CUPW.

In general, CUPW will:

Uphold all legislation regarding the Human Rights Code and the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act, 2005 and reviewing all policies and practices on a regular basis
Provide appropriate training to employees related to the Customer Service and Integrated Accessibility Standards
Provide accessible recruitment and selection practices
Develop emergency response plans and individual workplace accommodation plans for employees with disabilities.
Provide accessible communication supports and information formats (both digital and nondigital) upon request
Use appropriate communication methods with people with various forms of disabilities
Allow assistive devices, mobility aids, service animals and support persons

Assistive devices

All persons may always use their personal assistive devices while on our premises. We will ensure that our staff is trained on and familiar with CUPW-owned assistive devices that may be used by persons with disabilities while accessing our services, materials, locations, or events.

Communication

We will communicate with people with disabilities in ways that consider their disability.

Service animals

We welcome people with disabilities and their service animals. Trained service animals are allowed on all parts of our premises.

Support persons

A person with a disability who is accompanied by a support person will be allowed to have that person accompany them on our premises.

Notice of temporary disruption

In the event of a planned or unexpected disruption to services or facilities for staff, CUPW members, volunteers, and members of the public with disabilities will notify these people promptly. The notice may be placed on our website, on the doors of our facility, or at the site of the disruption and 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 staff

We will provide training to all employees, elected members, volunteers and others who deal with the public. We will ensure third parties acting on their behalf of CUPW receive training.

This training will be provided to employees, elected members, and volunteers within the first month of hire and will include:

Disability policies and obligations of CUPW to staff, union members, volunteers, and the public
Role-specific training on providing service to CUPW members and members of the public in general
Who to report to where there may be questions about what CUPW can do or provide to appropriately accommodate an individual’s need, including how to provide internal feedback on accommodation and training provided.
How to solicit and report feedback from those requiring accommodation.

Multi-year accessibility Plan

Message from the National President

Jan Simpson, National President
Canadian Union of Postal Workers

Section One: Past Achievements to Remove and Prevent Barriers

Customers services

Training and guidance are provided by officers to public-facing staff, elected members, and volunteers according to the needs of their role.
Attendees to significant events receive proactive communication from CUPW regarding:
Availability of ASL, English, LSQ and French language translation for hearing-impaired.
Registration for assisted evacuation in the event of an emergency.
Confidential registration of emergency contact information, medication, or other needs.
Event-specific signage indicating location of accessible facilities and routes.
Person-specific accommodated transportation between event sites, protests, or venues.
Availability of alternate furniture, dedicated seating, accessible seating, and other disability-specific arrangements.
Bulletins to staff and members regularly include information on current disability and accommodation concerns.
Improve and make more visible the channels for feedback from members and members of the public.

Information and Communications

CUPW national website and Ontario-based regional office sites, where relevant, conform to WCAG 2.0, Level AA.
Bulletins to staff and members are provided in machine-readable format. Alternate formats can be provided upon request.

Employment

CUPW has a long history of promoting and proactively engaging in inclusive and accessible hiring practices and providing workplace accommodation. Our current standard practices include:

Timely provision of accommodation, software, equipment, and procedures for all disability-related requests from elected members, staff, and volunteers. Ongoing monitoring of needs by officers and provision of needed accommodation according to changes in an individual’s work or capacities.
Accommodation needs for all job and volunteer candidates during the hiring process.
Informing candidates for employment, newly elected members, internal transfers, and volunteers of the availability of accommodation without prejudice as an employee or volunteer.

Procurement

Purchase of equipment and technology includes consideration of the design of the product to meet current and future mobility and disability needs.
Ongoing furniture acquisition includes the requirement for increased adjustability to accommodate a wider range of body types, ability, disability, and potential accommodation needs.
Cleaning and maintenance products must be free from fragrances known to affect sensitive individuals.
Extend Scent-Free policy in 2021 to regional offices, provide guidelines for assessment of current products used and requirements for future product purchases.
Inform and require in 2021, contractors and outside service providers to abide by CUPW’s “Scent-Free” policy for both products used on site and perfume-free dressing.
Review current lines of cleaning & maintenance products in 2021, for potential irritants and allergens, and, where possible, contract for supply of alternate products.

Training

Training and guidance are provided by officers to public-facing staff, elected members, and volunteers according to the needs of their role.
Over and above the current accessibility-aware culture and practices, assess current training for gaps and provide additional training and information to public-facing elected members, staff, and volunteers. Seek feedback from staff on training needed.

Facilities - National office

Office lobby and reception upgraded in 2020 for vision and mobility impaired access, with increased lighting, dimmable lighting controls, accessible seating, and service counter.
Ground floor boardroom and kitchenette renovated in 2019 to include better access, circulation, and a boardroom table compatible with mobility devices.
All washrooms in the building upgraded in 2019 to include hands-free toilet, urinal, tap and soap dispensers. Lavatories upgraded to current OBC requirements for wheelchair roll-under.
Internal stairs removed in 2018 between two ground floor levels and replaced with an accessible sloped floor.
Ground floor washroom accessible to the public re-designated in 2018 as all gender
Voluntarily provide in 2021 a universal all-gender, all ability washroom on the 3^rd floor
Voluntarily provide in 2021 barrier-free roll-under counter at all staff kitchenettes
Provide in 2021 new first-aid & staff Health and Safety stations on each floor including improved access for those with low reach, vision, and mobility impairment.
Voluntarily upgrade in 2023 all single meeting room door hinges to “swing clear” to meet current standard of access.
Widen all primary staff corridors on floors in 2022 with office space to provide easier circulation for those who use mobility devices.

Section Two: Strategies and Actions in progress and/or planned.

Services to members of the public and CUPW members

We believe in integration, and we are committed to meeting the needs of people with disabilities in a timely manner. We will do so by removing and preventing barriers to accessibility and by meeting our accessibility requirements under Ontario’s accessibility laws. Thus, we are aiming to Assess available tools and staff ability to produce documentation in accessible formats. Ensure public-facing staff are aware and able to provide information and publications in alternate formats.

Information and Communications

Examine strategies to proactively provide the many documents provided on the CUPW website in a more accessible format. While bulk strategies may be examined, the priority will be for frequently accessed and high-consequence materials to be upgraded first.
Assess website contact options for accessibility-friendliness and where appropriate improvements or alternative options might be provided.
Assess event procedures and proactive communication on accessibility provided by regional offices & report on potential improvements or guidelines.

Employment

Ensure announcements for employment opportunities are all sent in machine-readable formats with contact information in accommodated modes made explicit.

Training

Continue the training strategy, to be ensured to public-facing staff, elected members, and volunteers according to the needs of their role, as per the requirements of Ontario’s accessibility laws and the Ontario Human Rights Code as it applies to people with disabilities.

Facilities

Regional offices (owned and rented):

Provide guidelines to regional office staff to allow them to assess physical facilities for access and address practices, furniture layout, and infrastructure where possible to do so.

Regional offices (owned):

Review newly purchased facility for Central Regional Office for accessibility and potential opportunities for increased accessibility.

For more information on this accessibility plan, please contact:

Last Name: Beaudry
First Name: Sylvain
Telephone Number: 613 236 3671
Email Address: [email protected]

Our accessibility plan is publicly posted at: cupw.ca/accessibility

Standard and accessible formats of this document are free on request from:

Last Name: Morin
First Name: Angele
Telephone Number: 613 236 4580
Email Address: [email protected]

CUPW Accessibility Policies and Multi-Year Accessibility Plan

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