SEIU HEALTHCARE Multi-Year Accessibility Plan

Objective: This accessibility plan outlines the policies and actions that SEIU Healthcare will put in place to improve opportunities for Persons with Disabilities in accordance with the requirements of the AODA and Integrated Accessibility Standards Regulation – IASR.

Statement of Commitment: At SEIU Healthcare, the experience of our employees and members is paramount, and we are each accountable to work together to achieve our organizational mission and live our values.

SEIU Healthcare 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 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.

Accessible Emergency Information

SEIU Healthcare Local 1 has committed to ensuring that members, visitors, and staff are provided with accessible emergency Information to ensure that individuals with disabilities can obtain information necessary for their safety during emergencies. We have done this by providing Information in accessible formats that meet the needs of individuals with disabilities.

SEIU Healthcare will take the following steps to ensure there is accessible emergency information for individuals with disabilities.

Personnel responsible for emergency procedures and communication will be trained in how to interact with individuals with various types of disabilities and how to provide information in accessible formats.
We will provide employees with disabilities with accessible individualized emergency response information when necessary.

Training

SEIU Healthcare is committed to providing training in the requirements of Ontario’s accessibility laws and the Ontario Human Rights Code as it applies to people with disabilities. The following achievements to remove and prevent barriers have been recorded.

Our Learning platform provides training on Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA) and Integrated Accessibility Standards Regulation (IASR) to all employees.
Our Learning platform provides training on the Ontario Human Rights Code.
These trainings are part of the onboarding and orientation program

By January 2025, SEIU Healthcare will take the following steps to ensure that all employees, volunteers, policy developers, and those providing services on behalf of SEIU Healthcare are trained on Ontario’s accessibility laws and the Human Rights Code for people with disabilities.

Continue to build capacity in our employees so that they understand the various types of barriers that exist and some possible solutions for their removal.

Information and communications

SEIU Healthcare is committed to making our information and communications accessible to people with disabilities. The following achievements to remove and prevent barriers have been recorded.

In 2021, SEIU began collecting and storing information regarding members with disabilities to better serve our members and meet their disability needs.
SEIU Healthcare currently provides translation support where required.
SEIU Healthcare has provided printers and photocopiers with the OCR function that allows visually impaired readers to read our materials.
The website also provides an avenue for members and visitors to provide written feedback to the organization and a direct line to the organization’s service center that allows members to call in to give verbal feedback and raise concerns and feedback.
The SEIU Healthcare website is WCAG 2.0, Level A compliant and the Web Architect conducts regular scans of the website for changes required to maintain compliance.

By January 2025, SEIU Healthcare will take the following steps to ensure that consistent information and communications are accessible to people with disabilities.

SEIU will provide offerings such as the Xerox workflow central offering that can provide conversion of text to audio.

We will train our employees to ensure that documents or information given to a person with a disability are offered in an accessible format.

SEIU Healthcare will monitor the process for receiving and responding to feedback about how it provides services to persons with disabilities.

Consistently ensure that information is readily available in an accessible format that takes into account the communication needs of persons with disability.
Move from minimal compliance of Level A to WCAG 2.0, Level AA which is acceptable level compliance by January 2025.

Employment

SEIU Healthcare is committed to fair and accessible employment practices. The following achievements to remove and prevent barriers have been recorded.

The SEIU career website encourages people with disabilities to apply for employment and states that accommodations are available upon request.
All shortlisted job applicants selected for an interview and/or testing are notified that accommodation is available, upon request.
SEIU has a Return-to-work & Accommodation Policy that is communicated to employees upon hire.
The SEIU E-learning platform is accessible and meets the WCAG 2.0 Level A standards.
We offer flexible work arrangements such as remote work and flexible hours to accommodate the diverse needs of employees with disabilities.

SEIU Healthcare will take the following steps to ensure that consistent information and communications are accessible to people with disabilities.

Ensure that the Return-to-work & Accommodation Policy is reviewed annually.
Individual accommodation plans are in a format that considers the employee’s accessibility needs due to disability.
Canvas employees periodically to identify new employees requiring workplace emergency response assistance and ensure information for existing employees is current.
Where applicable, review and revise individualized workplace emergency and accommodation plans on an ongoing and regular basis.
Continue addressing barriers to recruitment and hiring.

Design of Public Spaces

SEIU Healthcare will meet accessibility laws when building or making major changes to public spaces. The following achievements to remove and prevent barriers have been recorded.

SEIU Healthcare ensures that our real estate and facilities management adhere to the requirements in the Ontario Building Code, the Integrated Accessibility Standards Regulation, the Guide to the Integrated Accessibility Standards Regulation and any other Ontario government requirement governing accessibility in all our leased buildings
All waiting areas in all SEIU buildings are functional for people with low vision and people who use mobility aids like walkers or wheelchairs. There is clear signage that indicate accessible routes.
Our restrooms are designed to be accessible, including the installation of grab bars, lowered sinks, and sufficient space for wheelchair users.

SEIU Healthcare will take the following steps to ensure that they are accessible to individuals with disabilities.

We will continuously improve physical accessibility in SEIU offices.
We will put provisions in place for the ongoing maintenance of accessible features within public spaces to ensure their continued functionality.
Consult with individuals with disabilities to ensure that the design meets their diverse needs.

Click here to download the 2023 Accessibility Compliance Reports

Click Here to Read Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA) Policy

For more information or to provide feedback

For more information on this accessibility plan, please contact Adetayo Okubote, Human Resources Business Partner at (905) 695-1767 ext. 3054 or by email at the following address: hr@seiuhealthcare.ca Please use the subject matter ‘Accessibility Plan’

Our accessibility plan is publicly available at www.seiuhealthcare.ca

Standard and accessible formats of this document are free on request to hr@seiuhealthcare.ca

For feedback purposes, use our Online Feedback Form to submit your comments electronically to the HR Department.

Mail your feedback to us. Our mailing address is SEIU Healthcare, 125 Mural Street, Richmond Hill, Ontario, L4B 1M4.

You can reach us by clicking the ‘Contact’ page with any questions or inquiries and completing the form. Please be as descriptive as possible, and our MSC team will get back to you by the following business day. The option to select under the ‘Reason for Contacting Us’ is ‘AODA Feedback’

Alternative Formats
SEIU Healthcare will make sure that all forms, documents, and publications are available in alternative formats as required. If you require a document in an alternative format, we will make every effort to accommodate your request in a reasonable timeframe.