Accessibility Plan
Statement of Commitment
Spec Furniture Inc. (“Spec”) 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 and independence. We are committed to meeting the needs of people with disabilities in a timely manner. We are committed to meeting our accessibility requirements under the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act, 2005 (“AODA”) and Ontario’s accessibility laws.
Spec is committed to meeting its current and ongoing obligations under the Ontario Human Rights Code respecting non-discrimination.
Spec understands that obligations under the AODA and its accessibility standards do not substitute or limit its obligations under the Ontario Human Rights Code or obligations to people with disabilities under any other law.
Spec is committed to serving and providing goods, services, or facilities to all customers, including people with disabilities.
Spec is committed to providing its goods and services in ways that respects the dignity of people with disabilities. We are committed to giving people with disabilities the same opportunity to benefit from the same goods and services, in the same place, and in a similar way as others.
The Multi-Year Accessibility Plan is reviewed and updated at least once every 5 years.
Introduction
Spec is committed diversity, equity, and inclusiveness and to our duties under the Human Rights Code. Accordingly, our commitment to equal employment opportunity, diversity, equity, inclusiveness, labor, and Human Rights reads as follows:
We are an equal opportunity employer with fair hiring practices. We recruit, hire, compensate, train, assign, promote, transfer, demote, lay off, recall, and terminate without regard to sex, race, ancestry, place of origin, colour, ethnic origin, citizenship, creed, age, handicap, sexual orientation, record of offences, marital or family status, receipt of public assistance or any other characteristic protected by law. We are proud to nurture a diverse community of employees who positively impact our customer experience with their expertise and experiences.
We believe in inclusiveness – all individuals have a right to be treated with respect in the workplace. We are committed to providing a work environment in which all individuals are treated with respect and dignity and protects human rights. Spec Furniture shall protect and respect the rights of human resources by ensuring that forced or involuntary labor is not used or supported in any form, that employment is voluntary, and that child labor is not used or supported in any form in our facility.
Spec fully supports the inclusion of persons with disabilities. We strive to conduct business in ways that support everyone’s dignity, self-esteem, that protect human rights and is accessible, inclusive, and responsive to the needs of persons with disabilities as detailed in the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act, 2005 (“AODA”) and the Ontario Human Rights Code.
Each of us is responsible for creating and maintaining a positive work environment. We will not and employees should not condone behaviour in the workplace that undermines work relationships or productivity. Employees and their supervisors are expected to recognize and to not behave in ways that offend, embarrass, or humiliate others, whether deliberate or not.
If an employee has a complaint concerning discrimination, they are to follow Spec’s complaint procedure. The complaint will be promptly investigated and evaluated considering all the facts, current company policies, applicable local, federal, and provincial laws, and a solution will be proposed as soon as possible.
Past Achievements to Remove and Prevent Barriers
Information and Communications
- Employee Wellness Survey conducted in December 2022 with 63% of employees participating.
- One of the many facets explored in the survey included inquiring about employees who experience hidden disabilities. Increased awareness in this area may assist the organization in better serving our employees.
Training
- Psychological Safety training was offered in 2023 to Spec leaders. In addition, open enrolment sessions provided this training opportunity to Spec employees who wished to participate.
- According to the Mental Health Commission of Canada, workplaces can play an essential part in maintaining positive mental health. In a psychologically safe environment, people are not afraid to express themselves; they feel accepted and respected.
Strategies and Actions
Customer Service
Spec is committed to providing accessible customer service to people with disabilities. This means that we will provide goods, services, and facilities to people with disabilities with the same high quality and timeliness as others. Spec plans to continue to provide all new employees (and volunteers) with the training needed to meet Ontario’s accessibility laws.
Spec’s Human Resources Orientation will be reviewed and updated by March 29, 2024, to ensure that the orientation complies with the Customer Service Standard.
Information and Communications
Spec is committed to making our information and communications accessible to people with disabilities. Spec’s website meets Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) 2.0 Level AA website requirements in accordance with Ontario’s accessibility laws. Spec will continue to ensure that our website meets Ontario’s accessibility laws.
Employment
Spec will continue to be an equal opportunity employer with fair hiring practices. We recruit, hire, compensate, train, assign, promote, transfer, demote, lay off, recall, and terminate without regard to sex, race, ancestry, place of origin, colour, ethnic origin, citizenship, creed, age, handicap, sexual orientation, record of offences, marital or family status, receipt of public assistance or any other characteristic protected by law. We are proud to nurture a diverse community of employees who positively impact our customer experience with their expertise and experiences.
Training
Spec will continue to take steps to ensure employees are provided with the training needed to meet Ontario’s accessibility laws. Training is tracked and documented. Spec will continue to provide the following training:
- Spec’s Human Resources Orientation for employees (and volunteers) takes place on (or as soon as is practicably possible) the employee’s or volunteer’s first day and includes the following:
- Purpose of the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act, 2005 and the requirements of the Customer Service Standards
- Information on the Ontario Human Rights Code
- Spec AODA Policy
- Annual AODA Awareness Training for all employees (and volunteers) which reviews the purpose of Ontario’s accessibility laws and Spec’s commitments.
Spec’s Multi-Year Accessibility Plan is available in different ways should people with disabilities ask.
Contact Details
Human Resources
165 City View Drive, Toronto, ON Canada M9W 5B1