1.0 Purpose
Uni Express Ontario Inc. (“UniUni”) 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.
This policy establishes the accessibility standards for UniUni, in compliance with the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act, 2005 (AODA).
2.0 Scope
This policy applies to all employees of UniUni, across all locations of our operations in Ontario.
3.0 Policy Statement
UniUni is committed to excellence in serving all customers including people with disabilities and will carry out our functions and responsibilities in the following areas:
- Communication: We will communicate with people with disabilities in ways that take into account their disability. We will train staff who communicate with customers on how to interact and communicate with people with various types of disabilities.
- Telephone Services: We are committed to providing fully accessible telephone service to our customers. We will offer to communicate with customers by email if telephone communication is not suitable to their communication needs or is not available.
- Assistive Devices: Persons with disabilities may use their own assistive devices as required when accessing our goods, services, or facilities. We will ensure that our staff are trained and familiar with various assistive devices that may be used by customers with disabilities while accessing our goods, services, or facilities.
- Billing: We are committed to providing accessible invoices to all of our customers. For this reason, invoices will be provided in the following formats upon request: hard copy, large print, email, or any other format that may be reasonable.
4.0 Definitions
- Accessible formats: means formats that are an alternative to standard print and are accessible to persons with disabilities. Accessible formats may include, but are not limited to, large print, braille, recorded audio and electronic formats.
- Accommodation: means an arrangement made with, or assistance provided to, persons with disabilities, to ensure their equal access to UniUni’s goods, services, employment and programs. Accommodation will vary depending on the person’s unique needs.
- Barrier: means anything that prevents a person with a disability from accessing UniUni’s goods, services, employment or programs, including physical, attitudinal and technological barriers, and inadequate information or communication.
- Communication: means the interaction between two or more persons where information is provided, sent or received.
- Communication supports: means supports that facilitate effective communication, and may include plain language formats, sign language and captioning.
- Disability: means any degree of physical, mental, emotional, developmental or learning impairment, and includes temporary and permanent disabilities, visible and invisible disabilities (e.g. visual, hearing or mental impairment, or learning or developmental disabilities).
- Information: means data, facts and knowledge that exists in any format, including text, audio, digital or images.
- Mobility Aid: means a device used to facilitate the transport, in a seated posture, of a person with a disability.
- Mobility Assistive Device: means a cane, walker or similar aid.
5.0 Emergency Response
- Communication
To ensure that UniUni effectively meets the emergency needs of all employees, including those with disabilities, an emergency alert channel has been established. An emergency alert may contain visual alarms and notifications for individuals who are deaf or hard of hearing, as well as other accessible formats as needed.
- Individualized Emergency Response
For employees who have disclosed a disability and require assistance, personalized emergency response plans will be developed in consultation with the employee. These plans will be attached to the employee’s Personal Emergency Response Information Form.
- Emergency Contacts
All employees and contractors will be invited to voluntarily and confidentially provide their emergency contact information, hospital and doctor contacts during the onboarding process. Care will be taken to respect the privacy of individuals and to protect the confidentiality of their personal information.
6.0 Employment
Accessibility is integrated into UniUni’s employment-related practices as follows:
- Recruitment
UniUni notifies all internal and external job applicants in job postings and when inviting an applicant to an interview or assessment, that accommodation is available upon request. UniUni’s Talent Acquisition department will consult with the job applicant to determine the specific accessibility requirements and provide proper accessibility tools and software to job candidates.
- Training
UniUni provides orientation training relating to accessibility policies and procedures and make such resources accessible.
UniUni’s ongoing training ensures that accessibility resources are available to everyone when needed.
- Return to Work from Disability-Related Leave
UniUni maintains a documented return to work procedure for employees who have been absent from work due to a disability and require accommodations in order to return to work.
UniUni collaborates with the Ontario Workplace Safety and Insurance Board (WSIB) and the disabled employee’s physician (if applicable) to determine the appropriate accommodations are in place before returning to work.
- Accessibility Advisory and Career Development
UniUni offers advisory and consultation to persons with disabilities to support long-term career development processes and design individual accommodation plans.
In response to an employee’s request, the Company will, in consultation with the employee, provide or arrange for the provision of accessible formats and communication support for information that is required in order for the employee to perform his/her job, and access information that is generally available in the workplace.
7.0 Use of Service Animals and Support Persons
Persons with disabilities who are accompanied by a service animal will be allowed access to premises that are open to the public unless otherwise excluded by law. We will also ensure that all staff, volunteers, and others dealing with the public are properly trained in how to interact with people with disabilities who are accompanied by a service animal.
Persons with disabilities who are accompanied by a support person will be allowed to have that support person accompany them on our premises. Fees will not be charged for support persons for admission to UniUni’s premises.
8.0 Notice of Temporary Disruption
In the event of a planned or unexpected disruption to services or facilities for customers with disabilities, UniUni will notify customers promptly. This clearly posted notice will include information about the reason for the disruption, its anticipated length of time, contact information, and a description of alternative facilities or services, if available.
In the case of an unplanned temporary disruption, the notice will be posted at no less than one conspicuous place at the physical location of the temporary disruption as soon as practicable. Depending on the duration of the temporary disruption, UniUni may, if possible, also post the notice on its webpage www.uniuni.com.
In the case of a planned temporary disruption, UniUni will post the notice prior to the temporary disruption at no less than one conspicuous place at the physical location of the temporary disruption, if possible, on its webpage www.uniuni.com and, if appropriate, advertise the temporary disruption with local media outlets. The notice will be posted with sufficient time to inform customers of the temporary disruption.
9.0 Training
UniUni will provide training to employees, volunteers, people involved in developing accesibility policies and others who deal with the public on our behalf (including people providing goods, services or facilities). Training will include the following:
- An overview of the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act, 2005 (includings its purposes), local human rights legislation relating to persons with disabilities, and the requirements and purposes of the customer service standard.
- The Ontario Human Rights Code
- How to interact and communicate with people with various types of disabilities.
- How to interact with people with disabilities who use an assistive device or require the assistance of a service animal or a support person.
- How to use equipment or devices available on UniUni’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 disability is having difficulty accessing our services.
Training will be provided to staff and other persons noted above on an ongoing basis and whenever changes are made to relevant policies, practices, and procedures. UniUni will keep records of the training provided, including the dates on which the training is provided and the number of indiviidauls to whom it is provided. Training will be provided to individuals on such times as document in a training schedule maintained by UniUni.
10.0 Feedback Process
UniUni maintains a procedure for receiving and responding to feedback and will ensure that these processes are accessible to people with disabilities by providing or arranging for the provision of accessible formats and communication supports upon request. Members of the public may ask questions or provide feedback in the format most convenient to them, including by telephone 1-778-887-4284, or in writing, or any other preferred method. Please direct written questions and feedback to UniUni Human Resources Department at hr@uniuni.com.
Note: This policy will be reviewed and updated as required, and no less than once every 5 years, to ensure ongoing compliance with the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act, 2005 and any other relevant legislation. Contact Human Resources Department at hr@uniuni.com for more information.
This document is publicly available. Accessible formats are available upon request.
1. Executive Summary
UniUni commits to becoming a leader in accessibility within the logistics industry. This plan outlines a strategic approach over the next five years to exceed the requirements of the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA), 2005. It aims to create an inclusive environment for customers and employees alike through continuous improvement and proactive change. UniUni welcomes feedback in relation to this Plan, in the format most convenient to the person providing feedback. This Plan will be provided in an accessible format upon request.
2. Plan Duration
2024-2029 (Five Years). The plan is reviewed and updated at least once every 5 years.
3. Strategic Initiatives
3.1. Comprehensive Accessibility Audit and Foundational Training
3.1.1. Objective: Establish a baseline of current practices and enhance company-wide awareness.
3.1.2. Actions:
3.1.2.1. Perform a detailed audit of all existing policies, physical spaces, and digital assets against the latest AODA standards.
3.1.2.2. Develop comprehensive AODA training for all staff, focusing on actionable strategies for enhancing accessibility in daily operations.
3.1.2.3. Form an Accessibility Leadership Team tasked with driving and monitoring accessibility initiatives.
3.2. Advanced Policy Development and Digital Accessibility
3.2.1. Objective: Strengthen accessibility through policy refinement and digital inclusion.
3.2.2. Actions:
3.2.2.1. Revamp internal policies to integrate accessibility deeply into operational, customer service, and human resources practices.
3.2.2.2. Design and distribute an accessibility survey to consult widely with people with disabilities.
3.3. Inclusive Employment Practices
3.3.1. Objective: Foster an accessible and inclusive workplace.
3.3.2. Actions:
3.3.2.1. Implement a robust framework for recruitment, retention, and career development that prioritizes accessibility.
3.3.2.2. Initiate a mentorship program pairing senior employees with staff to enhance support and professional growth for individuals with disabilities.
3.4. Enhancing Physical Infrastructure
3.4.1. Objective: Eliminate physical barriers across all locations.
3.4.2. Actions:
3.4.2.1. Execute a targeted renovation plan focusing on enhancing accessibility in high-priority areas such as entrances, restrooms, and common spaces.
3.4.2.2. Adopt universal design principles in all future constructions and renovations to ensure environments are usable by all, without the need for adaptation.
3.4.2.3. Review accessibility in every location to determine where improvements are needed.
3.5. Plan Evaluation and Revisions
3.5.1. Objective: Measure impact and refine strategies for sustained accessibility leadership.
3.5.2. Actions:
3.5.2.1. Conduct a formal impact assessment to measure outcomes against goals, involving feedback from community stakeholders and accessibility experts.
3.5.2.2. Host a symposium on accessibility to share best practices, learn from external experts, and refine ongoing strategies.
3.5.2.3. Revise and expand the accessibility plan based on assessments and stakeholder feedback, setting new benchmarks for the next five-year cycle.
4. Commitment to Excellence
UniUni pledges to not only meet but exceed legal accessibility standards, demonstrating leadership in accessibility and corporate responsibility. We are dedicated to continuous improvement and fostering an environment that respects the rights and dignity of all individuals.
Through proactive initiatives and a commitment to continuous improvement, UniUni aims to set new industry standards for accessibility and inclusion. This multi-year plan is not just a compliance document but a strategic roadmap to transforming organizational culture and operational effectiveness.
Our accessibility plan is posted on our webpage www.uniuni.com. This document is publicly available. Accessible formats are available upon request.