Janie and Jack's Accessibility Policy and Multi-Year Accessibility Plan

Introduction

• This 2014-2021 Accessibility Plan outlines the policies and actions that Janie and Jack will put in place to improve opportunities for persons with disabilities in its store locations in Ontario, Canada. This Plan outlines how Janie and Jack intends to meet the requirements of the Integrated Accessibility Standards Regulation made under the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (the "AODA").
• Janie and Jack is dedicated to providing goods, services and employment in an accessible manner and is committed to treating all people in a way that allows them to maintain their dignity and independence. We believe in integration and equal opportunity. We are committed to meeting the reasonable accessibility needs of persons with disabilities in a timely manner, and will do so by preventing and removing barriers to accessibility and meeting accessibility requirements under the AODA.
• This Plan is a fluid document that will be revised at least once every five years to reflect changes in Janie and Jack’s accessibility strategies. Janie and Jack welcomes feedback regarding this Plan, in whichever format is most convenient to the person giving feedback. If the Plan states that a document or information is available upon request, such requests should be made by phoning Janie and Jack’s Customer Service number at 1 (877) 449-8800 or by sending an e-mail to customer_service@janieandjack.com.

Individualized Emergency Preparedness Plan

Janie and Jack will develop individualized emergency preparedness plans as required and as soon as practicable, for employees who Janie and Jack is aware require assistance in emergency situations.

Training

Janie and Jack 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 persons with disabilities. Training will be provided in a way that best suits the duties of employees, volunteers and other staff members.

Janie and Jack will ensure that employees are provided with the training needed to meet Ontario’s accessibility laws by January 1, 2015. Janie and Jack will maintain records to confirm that each employee, volunteer and staff member has read and completed the training materials.

The training will cover the objectives of the AODA and how to interact, communicate and support persons with disabilities in light of their disability. After January 1, 2015, the training will be conducted as needed, in order to inform individuals of changes to Janie and Jack’s procedures and policies in delivering goods or services to persons with disabilities. If newly hired, the individual will receive training as soon as practicable. The training delivered will instruct employees, volunteers and other staff members on the following:

• Persons with disabilities may use their own assistive devices when visiting Janie and Jack.
• Persons accompanied by a guide dog or service animal are permitted to enter our premises with the animal, except in areas in which the animal is excluded by law.
• When a person with a disability is accompanied by a support person, both the person with the disability and the support person are permitted to enter together and have equal access to Janie and Jack’s premises.
• Janie and Jack will provide notice to the public of any temporary disruptions to facilities or services offered by Janie and Jack and used by persons with disabilities. This notice will include the reason for the disruption, the anticipated length of the disruption and a description of any alternative facilities and/or services that are available.
• The Plan is available by calling Janie and Jack customer service at 1 (877) 449-8800.

Point-of-Sale Devices and Service Counters

Janie and Jack will consider the accessibility of electronic terminals when designing, procuring or acquiring self-service kiosks including point-of-sale devices. Janie and Jack will consider the various needs of persons with disabilities prior to making any decisions regarding the purchase, implementation and use of self-service kiosks.

By January 1, 2017, Janie and Jack will ensure that when constructing new service counters (or replacing existing service counters), there will be at least one service counter that reasonably accommodates a mobility aid. This service counter will be clearly identified and will:

• Be at a height such that it is usable seated in a mobility aid;
• Have sufficient knee clearance for a person seated in a mobility aid; and
• Have sufficient floor space in front of the counter to accommodate a mobility aid.

If applicable, by January 1, 2017, when constructing new fixed queuing guides, Janie and Jack will ensure that the fixed queuing guides have sufficient width and floor area to allow for the passage of mobility assistive devices and are cane detectable. Janie and Jack will have procedures for preventative and emergency maintenance of accessible elements and for dealing with temporary disruptions when accessible elements are not in working order.