Accessibility
Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities:
Integrated Accessibility Standards Policy & Commitment Statement
Intent
GlobalMed’s vision is to be the leader in our industry by providing medical products which enhance the quality of life of people around the world.
Through partnerships, innovation and growth we strive to become the company of choice for all those we serve; employees, customers, suppliers, community and investors. In support of our purpose, GlobalMed Inc is committed to diversity. One of our guiding principles is to show respect to all individuals. GlobalMed Inc is committed to providing customer and employee services in a manner that respects the dignity and independence of persons with disabilities.
The following policy details how GlobalMed Inc will meet that commitment.
Providing Goods and Services to Persons With Disabilities
As part of our objective to “become the company of choice for all those we serve; employees, customers, suppliers, community”, GlobalMed Inc. is committed to excellence in serving all customers including persons with disabilities. We will meet that commitment in the following ways.
Accessible Websites and Web Content
GlobalMed Inc will ensure that its websites, including web content on such site, conforms to the World Wide Web Consortium Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) 2.0 at Level AA, except where meeting the requirement(s) is not practicable.
Communication
GlobalMed Inc. will communicate with persons with disabilities in ways that take into account their disability. Employees who deal with customers and consumers will be trained on how to interact and communicate with persons with disabilities.
Telephone Services
GlobalMed Inc is committed to providing accessible telephone services.
Employees communicating with customers by telephone are trained to use plain language and speak clearly. Where possible we encourage email communication to assist and improve our accessibility with our customers.
Assistive Devices
Persons with disabilities may use their assistive devices in accessing our goods and/or services. We will ensure that our employees are familiar with various assistive devices that may be used by customers with disabilities.
Billing
GlobalMed Inc. is committed to providing accessible invoices to all customers. For customers who have visual disabilities and need to view invoices in a larger font, we will have two available options. If the customer is currently set up for paper invoicing, the Customer Service (CSS) Specialist will instead send the invoice in a PDF format via email.
Use of Service Animals and Support Persons
Service Animals
Persons with a disability that are accompanied by a service animal and that are authorized or invited to enter GlobalMed Inc premises may keep the animal with them in our public office areas, if the animal is not otherwise excluded by law. Due to medical device regulatory requirements service animal is not permitted in our production facility. While visiting GlobalMed Inc., it is the responsibility of the person with a service animal to control the animal at all times.
Alternative arrangements will be made when an employee expresses an allergy to animals. For example the meeting can be held outside of GlobalMed Inc offices or in a common area.
Support Person
Persons with a disability that are accompanied by a support person and that are authorized or invited to enter GlobalMed Inc premises, may have access to that support person at all times. GlobalMed Inc may require a person with a disability to be accompanied by a support person while visiting GlobalMed Inc. premises to ensure the safety of the person with a disability and/or employees of GlobalMed Inc.
No issues related to privacy will be discussed in the presence of a support person, unless the person with the disability provides express authorization. The support person may be required to sign a Confidentiality Agreement.
Notice of Temporary Disruption
GlobalMed Inc. will make all reasonable effort to provide customers with notice in the event of disruption in the services used by customers with disabilities. This notice will include information about the reason for the disruption, its anticipated duration and a description of alternative services if available.
GlobalMed Inc. will ensure that the signs and notices will be clearly laid out, of sufficient size and easily readable.
Training
GlobalMed will provide training to all of its employees, volunteers, persons who participate in developing the organization’s policies, on the accessibility standards and on the requirements of the Code as it pertains to persons with disabilities. Training will be provided as soon as practicable. The training provided will take into consideration and be appropriate to the duties of those receiving the training. Training of this act will include a review of the purposes of the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act, the requirements of the Customer Service Standards, and instruction about:
- How to interact and communicate with persons with various types of disability.
- How to interact with persons with disabilities who use an assistive device or require the assistance of a guide dog or other service animal or the assistance of a support person.
- How to use equipment or devices available on the provider’s premises or otherwise provided by the provider that may help with the provision of goods, services or facilities to a person with a disability.
- What to do if a person with a particular type of disability is having difficulty accessing the provider’s goods, services or facilities.
Training will be provided to all employees through our organizational orientation training. All contents of this policy will be included in the orientation training,
Employment
GlobalMed Inc.is proud to have a diverse workforce, with a safe, inclusive and accessible work environment. The Company’s policies and practices are intended to foster diversity, inclusiveness and accessibility in the Company, while ensuring that the workplace is free from discrimination and harassment.
Recruitment
In our recruitment processes, GlobalMed Inc. will advise employees and the public about the availability of accommodation for applicants with disabilities.
Recruitment, Assessment or Selection Process
GlobalMed Inc. will notify job applicants, when they are individually selected to participate further in an assessment or selection process that accommodations are available upon request in relation to the materials or processes to be used.
If a selected job applicant requests accommodation relating to their participation in the hiring process, GlobalMed Inc. will consult with the individual and provide or arrange for the provision of suitable accommodation that takes into account the applicant’s disability-related needs.
Notice to Successful Applicants
When making offers of employment, GlobalMed Inc. will notify successful applicants of our policies for accommodating employees with disabilities.
Informing Employees of Supports
We will notify our employees of GlobalMed’s policies (and any updates where there is a change to those policies) for supporting employees with disabilities, including our policies regarding the provision of job accommodations that take into account an employee’s accessibility needs due to disability. This information will be provided to new hires as soon as practicable after they commence employment.
Accessible Formats and Communication Supports for Employees
If an employee with a disability asks for information in an accessible format or to receive communication supports, GlobalMed Inc. will consult with the employee to provide or arrange for the provision of accessible formats and communication supports for information that the employee needs to perform his/her job, as well as information that is generally available to other employees.
In determining the suitability of an accessible format or communication supports, GlobalMed Inc. will consult with the employee making the request.
Workplace Emergency Response Information
GlobalMed Inc. will provide individualized workplace emergency response information to employees with disabilities where the disability is such that individualized information is necessary and GlobalMed Inc. is aware of the need for accommodation. GlobalMed Inc. will provide workplace emergency response information as soon as practicable after learning of the need for accommodation due to an employee’s disability.
Where an employee who receives individualized workplace emergency response information requires assistance, GlobalMed Inc. will designate a person to provide assistance and, with the employee’s consent, GlobalMed Inc. will provide the workplace emergency response information to such person.
GlobalMed Inc. will review individualized workplace emergency response information, at a minimum, whenever:
- the employee’s overall accommodation needs or plans are reviewed; or
- GlobalMed Inc. reviews its general emergency response policies.
Documented Individual Accommodation Plans
GlobalMed Inc. will develop and maintain a written process for the development of documented individual accommodation plans for employees with disabilities.
If requested, information regarding accessible formats and communication supports provided will also be included in individual accommodation plans. Additionally, the plans will include individualized workplace emergency response information (where required and in accordance with the Workplace Emergency Response Information Standard). Plans will also identify any other accommodation that is to be provided.
Return to Work Process
GlobalMed Inc. will develop and maintain a documented return to work process for its employees who have been absent from work due to a disability and who require disability-related accommodations in order to return to work.
The return to work process will outline the steps that GlobalMed Inc. will take to facilitate the return to work and will include documented individual accommodation plans.
Performance Management, Career Development and Advancement
GlobalMed Inc. will take into account the accessibility needs of employees with disabilities, as well as individual accommodation plans, when conducting performance management, or providing career development and advancement to employees.
Feedback Process
GlobalMed Inc. expects to meet or surpass customer expectations while serving customers with disabilities. Comments on our services are welcomed and appreciated. GlobalMed will continue to ensure that its processes for receiving and responding to feedback are accessible to persons with disabilities by providing, or arranging for the provision of accessible formats and communication supports upon request. Feedback regarding the delivery of goods or services to persons with disabilities can be made by phone, in person, email or other reasonable method. All feedback will be responded to in a timely manner.
Name: MaryAnne Stam
Email address: hr@globalmedinc.com
Modifications to this Policy
GlobalMed Inc is committed to developing Customer Service Policies that respect and promote the dignity and independence of persons with disabilities. Therefore, no changes will be made to this policy before considering the impact on persons with disabilities.
Questions About the Policy
This policy exists to achieve service excellence to customers with disabilities. If anyone has any questions about this policy, or if the purpose of this policy is not understood, an explanation will be provided by or referred to MaryAnne Stam, HR (hr@globalmedinc.com)
