Accessibility Service Policy
Electronic Product Recycling Association (“EPRA”) is committed to ensuring that we provide services to our employees, our stewards, service providers, and others with disabilities in an accessible manner, and in a way, that respects the dignity and independence of those individuals. EPRA’s commitment to ensuring accessible service is part of our overall objectives of providing excellent service and promoting diversity.
This EPRA Accessible Service Policy (the “Policy”) establishes policies, practices and procedures relating to EPRA’s provision of services to our employees, stewards, service providers, and others. EPRA may implement additional policies, practices and/or procedures in this regard, including those contained in training materials. However, all such additional policies, practices and procedures will be consistent with the Policy.
Accessible Communications
EPRA will communicate with individuals with disabilities in a manner that takes into account their disabilities.
Our staff communicates with employees, stewards, service providers, and others in a variety of ways, including face to face interactions, letters, telephone calls and electronic/systems communications. In determining the appropriate method and form of communication, we will take into account accessibility needs resulting from disabilities.
Employees, stewards, service providers, and others are encouraged to identify accessibility needs in communicating and interacting with EPRA.
Service Animals
EPRA welcomes individuals with disabilities who use service animals. Service animals are allowed on the parts of our premises that are open to the public or other third parties, in accordance with applicable laws.
Support Persons
Employees, stewards, service providers, and others with disabilities who require the assistance of a support person will be allowed to have that support person accompany them on EPRA premises. Appropriate measures will be taken to deal with any confidentiality and/or privilege issues raised by the presence of a support person. Such measures will be determined on a case-by-case basis, having regard to the specific needs of the employees, stewards, service providers, and others.
Assistive Devices
Employees, stewards, service providers, and other individuals with disabilities may use their own assistive devices to access services provided by EPRA. To the extent required, EPRA will ensure that our staff are trained and familiar with various assistive devices that may be used by individuals when accessing our services and any assistive devices made available by EPRA.
Notice of Temporary Disruptions
In the event of a planned or unexpected disruption to services or facilities that may be used by individuals with disabilities to access services, EPRA will notify individuals of the disruption promptly. The notice will advise individuals regarding the reason for the disruption, its anticipated duration and provide a description of alternative services or facilities available, if any.
The notice will be posted and/or communicated to individuals with disabilities in a manner that is reasonable in the circumstances.
Training of Staff
EPRA will provide training to staff who deal with employees, stewards, service providers, or other third parties, and those who are responsible for policy development, as required by applicable laws.
In general terms, such training will include the following components:
An overview of applicable laws related to the provision of services to individuals with disabilities;
An overview of the Policy and any other practices, policies or procedures developed by EPRA with respect to the provision of services to individuals with disabilities;
Information regarding how to interact and communicate with individuals with various types of disabilities, including interaction with individuals who use assistive devices, support persons and/or service animals;
Instruction on how to use any assistive devices that EPRA may have available to assist individuals with disabilities to access services at EPRA; and
Instruction on what to do if an individual with a disability is having difficulty accessing EPRA services.
EPRA will provide required training in connection with changes to the Policy or any other related policies, practices or procedures.
Feedback Process
EPRA is committed to improving our employees, stewards, service providers, and others excellent service by listening to our employees, stewards, service providers and others and responding to their feedback. Employees, stewards, service providers, and other third parties are encouraged to provide feedback on the way EPRA provides services to individuals with disabilities.
Feedback can be directed to:
Email: accessibility@epra.ca
Telephone: +1-888-567-4535
Address: 301-5750 Explorer Drive, Mississauga, Ontario L4W 0A9
Individuals can generally expect a response or preliminary response to their feedback within 15 business days of receipt by EPRA of the feedback, if the nature of the feedback requires a response. In responding to feedback, EPRA will take such steps as are necessary to rectify any issues or concerns raised in a manner consistent with the Policy and our commitment to providing excellent and accessible employee, steward, service provider, and other services. Depending on the circumstances, such steps may include requesting additional information from the individual providing the feedback, investigating specific complaints and/or providing documentation or communications in accessible formats. EPRA will advise the individual providing the feedback of the results of the feedback review process as appropriate in the circumstances.
Distribution of Policy
EPRA will provide a copy of the Policy to individuals in an accessible format if requested.