Multi-Year Accessibility Plan

3

Establishment of Accessibility Policies

3.(1) Every obligated organization shall develop, implement and maintain policies governing how the organization achieves or will achieve accessibility through meeting its requirements under the accessibility standards referred to in this Regulation.

The Canadian Bar Association has developed and implemented policies governing how it achieves accessibility, and is committed to maintaining such policies.

Action Taken:  Accessibility policies have been developed and implemented, and have been posted on our website.  Accessibility policies will be provided in an accessible format, upon request.

January 1, 2014

4

Accessibility Plans

4.(1) Large organizations shall,

• establish, implement, maintain and document a multi-year accessibility plan, which outlines the organization‘s strategy to prevent and remove barriers and meet its requirements under this Regulation;
• post the accessibility plan on their website, if any, and provide the plan in an accessible format upon request; and
• review and update the accessibility plan at least once every five years.

The Canadian Bar Association has developed and implemented this multi-year accessibility plan to prevent and remove barriers and meet its requirements under this Regulation.

Action Plan: This Multi-Year Plan has been posted on our website and will be provided in an accessible format, upon request.

The Canadian Bar Association is committed to reviewing and updating this plan at least once every five years.

January 1, 2014

7

Training

7.(1) Every obligated organization shall ensure that training is provided on the requirements of the accessibility standards referred to in this Regulation and on the Human Rights Code as it pertains to persons with disabilities to, 
(a) all employees, and volunteers;
(b) all persons who participate in developing the organization‘s policies; and 
(c) all other persons who provide goods, services or facilities on behalf of the organization.

The Canadian Bar Association is committed to implementing a process to ensure that training on the requirements of the IASR and Human Rights Code, as it pertains to persons with disabilities, is provided to all required persons.

Action Plan: All required persons will receive training as soon as practicable.  A record of the training provided, including the names of those trained and the dates of training, will be kept and maintained.

Training will be provided on any changes to the prescribed policies on an ongoing basis.

January 1, 2015

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Feedback

11.(1) Every obligated organization that has processes for receiving and responding to feedback shall ensure that the processes are accessible to persons with disabilities by providing or arranging for accessible formats and communications supports, upon request.

The Canadian Bar Association in committed to ensuring that all existing and future processes for receiving and responding to feedback are made accessible to persons with disabilities.

Action Plan:  The Canadian Bar Association will consult with the person making the request to determine suitability of an accessible format or communications support, and do so in a timely manner and at no additional cost to the person making the request.

January 1, 2015

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Accessible Formats & Communication Supports

12.(1) Except as otherwise provided, every obligated organization shall upon request provide or arrange for the provision of accessible formats and communication supports for persons with disabilities, 
a) in a timely manner that takes into account the person‘s accessibility needs due to disability; and 
b) at a cost that is no more than the regular cost charged to other persons.

The Canadian Bar Association is committed to making company information and communications accessible to persons with disabilities.

Action Plan:  The Canadian Bar Association will consult with the person making the request to determine suitability of an accessible format or communication support, and do so in a timely manner and at no additional cost to the person making the request.

The Canadian Bar Association will notify the public about the availability of accessible formats and communication supports though various communication channels.

January 1, 2016

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12.(2) The obligated organization shall consult with the person making the request in determining the suitability of an accessible format or communication support.

January 1, 2016

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12.(3) Every obligated organization shall notify the public about the availability of accessible formats and communication supports.

January 1, 2016

13

Emergency Procedures, Plans or Public Safety Info

13.(1) In addition to its obligations under section 12, if an obligated organization prepares emergency procedures, plans or public safety information and makes the information available to the public, the obligated organization shall provide the information in an accessible format or with appropriate communication supports, as soon as practicable, upon request.

The Canadian Bar Association is committed to providing and maintaining a premises that respects the dignity and independence of persons with disabilities.

Action Taken: Any emergency procedures, plans and public safety information that is made available to the public will be made available in accessible formats, or with appropriate communication supports, as soon as practicable and upon request.

January 1, 2012

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Accessible Websites & Web Content

14.(2) Designated public sector organizations and large organizations shall make their internet websites and web content conform with the World Wide Web Consortium Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) 2.0, initially at Level A and increasing to Level AA, and shall do so in accordance with the schedule set out in this section.

The Canadian Bar Association is committed to ensuring that all company information and communications are accessible to persons with disabilities.

Action Plan:  The Canadian Bar Association will ensure that as of January 1, 2014, all new internet websites and web content on those sites conform with WCAG 2.0 Level A.  By January 1, 2021, all internet websites and web content will conform with WCAG 2.0 Level AA, excluding the exceptions set out in the Regulation.

AODA compliance will be included as one of the criteria in selecting technology vendors for new website development initiatives.

In addition to the training set out in Section 7, staff requiring position specific training to comply with this initiative will receive appropriate training as soon as practicable.

January 1, 2014
New internet websites and web content on those sites must conform with WCAG 2.0 Level A.

January 1, 2021
All internet websites and web content must conform with WCAG 2.0 Level AA, other than,

• success criteria 1.2.4 Captions (Live)
• success criteria 1.2.5 Audio Descriptions (Pre-recorded).

22

Recruitment – General

22. Every employer shall notify its employees and the public about the availability of accommodation for applicants with disabilities in its recruitment processes.

The Canadian Bar Association will notify employees and the general public of the availability of accommodation for applicants with disabilities in the recruitment process.

Action Plan:  Existing recruitment policies, procedures and processes will be reviewed and modified as necessary. Both our website and all internal and external job postings will specify that accommodation is available upon request.

January 1, 2016

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Recruitment, Assessment or Selection Process

23.(1) During a recruitment process, an employer shall notify job applicants, when they are individually selected to participate in an assessment or selection process, that accommodations are available upon request in relation to the materials or processes to be used. 
(2) If a selected applicant requests an accommodation, the employer shall consult with the applicant and provide or arrange for the provision of a suitable accommodation in a manner that takes into account the applicant‘s accessibility needs due to disability.

The Canadian Bar Association will notify job applicants, upon being selected to participate in an assessment or selection process, that accommodation is available upon request in relation to the materials or processes being used.

Action Plan:  Existing recruitment policies, procedures and processes will be reviewed and modified as necessary.

An availability of accommodation notice will be included in the scheduling of an assessment and/or interview.

Where a selected applicant requests an accommodation, the Canadian Bar Association will consult with the applicant and arrange for the provision of suitable accommodations in a manner that takes into account the applicant’s accessibility needs due to disability.

January 1, 2016

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Notice to Successful Applicants

24. Every employer shall, when making offers of employment, notify the successful applicant of its policies for accommodating employees with disabilities.

The Canadian Bar Association will notify successful applicants of its policies for accommodating employees with disabilities when making offers of employment.

Action Plan:  The Canadian Bar Association’s policies on accommodating employees with disabilities will be included in the Policy Manual, and will be included with offers of employment.

January 1, 2016

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Informing Employees of Supports

25.(1) Every employer shall inform its employees of its policies used to support its employees with disabilities, including, but not limited to, policies on the provision of job accommodations that take into account an employee‘s accessibility needs due to disability.

The Canadian Bar Association will inform all employees of its policies to support employees with disabilities including, but not limited to, policies on the provision of job accommodations that take into account an employee‘s accessibility needs due to disability.

Action Plan: The Canadian Bar Association will inform current employees and new hires of its policies supporting employees with disabilities, and will provide information under this section as soon as practicable after new employees begin employment – specifically, during orientation sessions.

The Canadian Bar Association will keep employees up to date on changes to existing policies on job accommodations with respect to disability.

January 1, 2016

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25.(2) Employers shall provide the information required under this section to new employees as soon as practicable after they begin their employment.

January 1, 2016

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25.(3)Employers shall provide updated information to its employees whenever there is a change to existing policies on the provision of job accommodations that take into account an employee‘s accessibility needs due to disability.

January 1, 2016

26

Accessible Formats & Communication Supports for Employees

26.1 In addition to its obligations under section 12, where an employee with a disability so requests it, every employer shall consult with the employee to provide or arrange for the provision of accessible formats and communication supports for,

• information that is needed in order to perform the employee‘s job; and
•  information that is generally available to employees in the workplace.

Where an employee with a disability so requests it, the Canadian Bar Association will provide or arrange for the provision of suitable accessible formats and communication supports for the information that is needed in order to perform the employee’s job, and information that is generally available to employees in the workplace.

In meeting its obligation to provide such information, the Canadian Bar Association will consult with the employee making the request in determining the suitability of an accessible format or communication support.

January 1, 2016

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26.2. The employer shall consult with the employee making the request in determining the suitability of an accessible format or communication support.

January 1, 2016

27

Workplace Emergency Response Information

27.(1) Every employer shall provide individualized workplace emergency response information to employees who have a disability, if the disability is such that the individualized information is necessary and the employer is aware of the need for accommodation due to the employee‘s disability.

Where the Canadian Bar Association is aware that an employee has a disability and requires accommodation, individualized workplace emergency response information will be provided to the employee as soon as practicable if such information is necessary.

Action Taken:  Individualized workplace emergency response information procedures have been developed.

Individual Emergency Response Forms have been developed for employees who disclose a disability and who are being accommodated according to their disabilities.

With the employee’s consent, the Canadian Bar Association provides the disabled employee’s workplace emergency response information to the person(s) designated to provide assistance.

The Canadian Bar Association has established processes to provide the information required under Section 27 as soon as practicable after becoming aware of an employee’s need for accommodation due to disability.

The Canadian Bar Association has a process in place to review an employee’s individualized workplace emergency response information as per the Regulation.

January 1, 2012

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(2) If an employee who receives individualized workplace emergency response information requires assistance and with the employee‘s consent, the employer shall provide the workplace emergency response information to the person designated to provide assistance to the employee.

January 1, 2012

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(3) Employers shall provide the information required under this section as soon as practicable after the employer becomes aware of the need for accommodation due to the employee‘s disability.

January 1, 2012

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(4) Every employer shall review the individualized workplace emergency response information,
(a) when the employee moves to a different location in the organization; 
(b) when the employee‘s overall accommodations needs or plans are reviewed; and 
(c) when the employer reviews its general emergency response policies.

January 1, 2012

28

Documented Individual Accommodation Plans

28.(1) Employers, other than employers that are small organizations, shall develop and have in place a written process for the development of documented individual accommodation plans for employees with disabilities.

The Canadian Bar Association will develop and implement the use of documented individual accommodation plans for employees with disabilities.

The Canadian Bar Association will ensure that the process for the development of such plans include the elements set out in Section 28(2).

January 1, 2016

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28 (2) The process for the development of documented individual accommodation plans shall include the following elements:

• The manner in which an employee requesting accommodation can participate in the development of the individual accommodation plan.
• The means by which the employee is assessed on an individual basis.
• The manner in which the employer can request an evaluation by an outside medical or other expert, at the employer‘s expense, to determine if and how accommodation can be achieved.
• The manner in which the employee can request the participation of a representative from their bargaining agent, where the employee is represented by a bargaining agent, or other representative from the workplace, where the employee is not represented by a bargaining agent, in the development of the accommodation plan.
• The steps taken to protect the privacy of the employee‘s personal.
• The frequency with which the individual accommodation plan will be reviewed and updated and the manner in which it will be done.
• If an individual accommodation plan is denied, the manner in which the reasons for the denial will be provided to the employee.
• The means of providing the individual accommodation plan in a format that takes into account the employee‘s accessibility needs due to disability.

January 1, 2016

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Return to Work Process

29.(1) Every employer, other than an employer that is a small organization,

• shall develop and have in place a return to work process for its employees who have been absent from work due to a disability and require disability-related accommodations in order to return to work; and
• shall document the process.

The Canadian Bar Association will review and, if applicable, modify its existing policies on facilitating an employee’s return to work after absenteeism due to disability.  This return to work process will be documented as per the Regulation.

Action Plan: The Canadian Bar Association will ensure that its return to work process outlines the steps it will take to facilitate an employee’s return to work after absenteeism due to a disability, and will ensure that the process includes the use of individual accommodation plans.

January 1, 2016

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29. (2) The return to work process shall,

• outline the steps the employer will take to facilitate the return to work of employees who were absent because their disability required them to be away from work; and
• use individual documented accommodation plans, as described in section 28, as part of the process.

January 1, 2016

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29. (3) The return to work process referenced in this section does not replace or override any other return to work process created by or under any other statute.

January 1, 2016

30

Performance Management

30.(1) An employer that uses performance management in respect of its employees shall take into account the accessibility needs of employees with disabilities, as well as individual accommodation plans, when using its performance management process in respect of employees with disabilities.

The Canadian Bar Association will take the accessibility needs of employees with disabilities and, as applicable, their individualized accommodation plans, into account when assessing performance.

Action Plan: The Canadian Bar Association will review and assess its current performance management processes, and ensure that accessibility criteria are included in any future performance management training and/or workshops.

January 1, 2016

31

Career Development & Advancement

31.(1) An employer that provides career development and advancement to its employees shall take into account the accessibility needs of its employees with disabilities as well as any individual accommodation plans, when providing career development and advancement to its employees with disabilities.

The Canadian Bar Association will take the accessibility needs of employees with disabilities and, as applicable, their individualized accommodation plans, into account when providing career development and advancement to its employees with disabilities.

Action Plan:  Internal job postings will include notification of the ability to provide accommodations.

January 1, 2016

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Redeployment

32.(1) An employer that uses redeployment shall take into account the accessibility needs of its employees with disabilities, as well as individual accommodation plans, when redeploying employees with disabilities.

The Canadian Bar Association will take the accessibility needs of employees with disabilities and, as applicable, their individualized accommodation plans, into account when redeploying employees with disabilities.

January 1, 2016

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Design of Public Spaces

The Accessibility Standard for the Design of Public Spaces requires all public sector organizations with at least one employee and all private and non-profit organizations with 50 or more employees to maintain the accessible parts of their public spaces.

The Canadian Bar Association will meet the Accessibility Standard for the Design of Public Spaces when building or making modifications to public spaces.

Public spaces applicable to the Canadian Bar Association include:

Service-related elements such as service counters, fixed queuing lines and waiting area.

Action Plan:  The Canadian Bar Association will ensure that procedures are put in place to prevent service disruptions to public spaces and maintain accessible parts of its public places.

January 1, 2017