ACCESSIBILITY FOR ONTARIANS WITH DISABILITIES (AODA)
Waddington’s Auctioneers and Appraisers (“Waddington’s” or the “Company”) are committed to providing excellent service to all customers, partners and associates, including people with disabilities. We will ensure throughout, to always respect their independence, dignity, integration and treat them as equals.
To comply with this commitment, Waddington’s has created and put in place an Accessibility Plan. Waddington’s will provide training to employees, volunteers and others who deal with the public or other third party on our behalf.
Any policy of Waddington’s that does not respect and promote the dignity and independence of people with disabilities will be modified or removed.
What is the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act?
The Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act, 2005 (AODA) is a law in Ontario that allows the government to develop specific standards of accessibility and to enforce them. It recognizes the history of discrimination against persons with disabilities. Purpose of this Act is to benefit all Ontarians by:
a) Developing, implementing and enforcing accessibility standards in order to achieve accessibility for Ontarians with disabilities with respect to goods, services, facilities, accommodation, employment, buildings, structures and premises on or before January 1, 2025; and
b) Providing for the involvement of persons with disabilities, the Government of Ontario and of representatives of industries and various sectors of the economy in the development of accessibility standards.
Who are People with Disabilities?
In this Act, “disability” means,
a) Any degree of physical disability, infirmity, malformation or disfigurement that is caused by bodily injury, birth defect or illness and, without limiting the generality of the foregoing, includes diabetes mellitus, epilepsy, a brain injury, any degree of paralysis, amputation, lack of physical coordination, blindness or visual impediment, deafness or hearing impediment, muteness or speech impediment, or physical reliance on a guide dog or other animal or on a wheelchair or other remedial appliance or device,
b) A condition of mental impairment or a developmental disability,
c) A learning disability, or a dysfunction in one or more of the processes involved in understanding or using symbols or spoken language,
d) A mental disorder, or
e) An injury or disability for which benefits were claimed or received under the insurance plan established under the Workplace Safety and Insurance Act, 1997.
For more information about the Ontario Human Rights Code, visit:
www.ohrc.on.ca, and click on “The Code” under the Resources Section of the website.
ACCESSIBILITY PLAN WILL TOUCH ON THE FOLLOWING:
- Considers a person’s disability when communicating with them
- Allows assistive devices in our workplace, wheelchairs, walkers and oxygen tanks
- Allows service animals
- Welcomes support persons
- Lets customers know when accessible services aren’t available
- Invites customers to provide feedback
Assistive Devices
We will ensure that staff is trained and familiar with various assistive devices on site or ones we provide that may be used by customers with disabilities while accessing our goods and services.
Certain assistive devices we keep on premises are: walking canes.
Communication (Electronically and In Person)
We will communicate with disabled persons in ways that take into account their disability.
- Not touching items or equipment without permission.
- Always speak at eye level.
- Suggest parking options to people who cannot walk long distances. Commercial or residential handicap spots.
- Consider accessibility when purchasing or designing electronic kiosks.
- Ensure any new websites we create or old sites we update are made accessible.
Unconvertible Information
Waddington’s strives to keep accessibility for Ontarians with disabilities, including when it is related to unconvertible information. Our website offers “zoom option” to enlarge all the images of auctioning products, which assist to see the image of the products in detail. The same feature is offered on the Waddington’s PDF Catalogues, available on the website.
Upon request, we will provide or arrange for the provision of accessible formats in consultation with the requestor, as per their specific needs, in a timely and cost-effective manner and will let the person know why the data could not be converted into an accessible format if that is the case, based on explanation found above in Unconvertible Information, or in case of undue hardship, action requiring significant difficulty or expense for the company. In cases where the information cannot be provided, we will provide a summary of that information, along with an explanation as to why it is unconvertible.
Support Persons
A person with a disability who is accompanied by a support person will be allowed to have that person accompany them on our premises. Fees will not be charged for support persons.
Notice of Temporary Disruption
In the event of a planned or unexpected disruption to services or facilities for customers with disabilities such as, elevator or bathroom stall, Waddington’s will notify customers promptly. This clearly posted notice will include the reason for the disruption, its anticipated length of time, and a description of alternative facilities or services, if available.
The notice will be placed at the facility itself. In the case of an elevator breakdown, notices will be placed on both up and downstairs access points. It will also include our reception number in case immediate assistance is required.
Training
Individuals in the following positions will be trained: reception, front of house, auction staff, Appraisers and their assistants (anyone who conducts with the public, be it for previews or phones). Different formats or training modules will be provided to managers, according to their function and working area, e.g., Account and Finances employees should be trained on the Employment Standards, employees in IT and Technical department should receive training on the Information and Communication Standards.
Training will include:
- An overview of the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act, 2005 (AODA), as well as Ontario Humans Right Code (The Code).
- Continued training as the laws (AODA and The Code) are updated.
- 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.
- What to do if a person with a disability is having difficulty in accessing Waddington’s goods and services.
Trainings will be provided to staff within three months of hire date.
Staff will be trained when changes are made to the Accessibility Plan.
Feedback Process
Tell us about your concerns and feedback
Customers, partners, and associates who wish to provide feedback or have any concerns about the way Waddington’s provide goods and services to people with disabilities, can do so by emailing their remarks to [email protected] or [email protected] or by calling into our head office, 416-504.9100, to speak with one of our Waddington’s Health & Safety Representatives & Joint Health and Safety Committee, or in person. Please expect to hear back from us within five business days.
For a copy of our Compliance Accessibility Report, please click here.