DLS is committed to meeting the needs of all our customers and strives to provide our products and services in a way that respects the dignity and independence of people with disabilities.

We are training all employees in regard to providing goods and services to people with disabilities.

We review our websites on an ongoing basis and aim to make them accessible and easy to use.

Your feedback is important to us.  If you would like to comment about any of our accessibility policies or practices, or if you have a question or concern about accessibility, click here to access our Accessibility Feedback Form or contact us at accessibility@dairylane.ca.

Introduction and Statement of Organizational Commitment

DLS is committed to providing goods and services in a way that respects the dignity and independence of persons with disabilities. This policy outlines how DLS fulfills this commitment and what individuals can expect when accessing services at DLS. This policy has been prepared to meet the compliance requirements of the Customer Service Standard included in the integrated Accessibility Standards under the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act, 2005 and to articulate what people may expect from DLS regarding this standard.

DLS reviews its accessibility policies, practices and procedures on a regular basis to ensure they continue to respect the needs of persons with disabilities.

“Disability” as per the Ontario Human Rights Code, means:

  • Any degree of physical disability, infirmity, malformation, or disfigurement that is caused by bodily injury, birth defect, or illness.
  • A condition of mental impairment or a developmental disability
  • A learning disability or a dysfunction in one or more of the processes involved in understanding or using symbols or spoken language
  • A mental disorder, or
  • An injury or disability for which benefits were claimed or received under the insurance plan established under the Workplace Safety and Insurance Act, 1997;

General

Reasonable efforts will be made to ensure that persons with disabilities are provided equal opportunity to obtain, use and benefit from DLS’s goods and services that are provided in a manner that respects the dignity and independence of persons with disabilities.

  • Information and Communication

DLS communicates with its clients in person by: telephone; print signs, brochures etc.; in- person meetings; and email. DLS will select a communication channel that makes the communication most accessible. Employees shall do so in a manner that considers the person’s disability and will make reasonable efforts to have the person with a disability understand both the content and intent of its communications. DLS will make information publicly available and provide them in an accessible format upon request. DLS invites participants in meetings; consultations etc. to identify any accommodation needs before their arrival so that DLS can better meet the service needs of all individuals.

DLS will, except where impracticable, ensure that its internet websites that are accessible to members of the public confirm with the applicable requirements of the Word Wide Web Consortium Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) 2.0 by the dates specified in the Accessibility Legislation.

  • Assistive Devices: communication aids, cognition aids, personal mobility aids and medical aids (e.g. canes, crutches, wheelchairs or hearing aids)

DLS permits and encourages persons with disability to use assistive devices while interacting with DLS. DLS will ensure that staff are trained on or about the assistive options made available by DLS and are aware that persons with disabilities may use their own assistive devices.

  • Service Animals

DLS permits individuals using guide dogs or service animals in areas that are available to the public or third parties. There may be occasions when the service animal is excluded from an area by law, or other legitimate business reason. In these unusual circumstances, if DLS is unable to accommodate a service dog for reasons beyond our control (such as others who have allergies to animals) DLS will ensure that other options are provided to ensure the person with a disability can access goods and services provided by DLS.

  • Support Person

A person with a disability may be accompanied by his or her support person in those areas that are open to the public or other third parties. The support person may be required to agree to specific requirements such as confidentiality agreements. On occasion, persons with disabilities may require the assistance of a support person to protect their health and safety or the health and safety of others. If necessary, DLS may require a person with a disability to be accompanied by a support person while on DLS premises to ensure that health and safety interests are protected for all individuals.

  • Notice of Temporary Disruption in Service

If there is a temporary disruption in facilities or services provided by DLS, notice of disruption will be provided. The nature of the notice will depend upon the nature of the disruption and may range from posting the information at a conspicuous place on DLS premises, or on the website, or by any other method as is reasonable in the circumstance.

  • Employee Training

DLS will provide the training set out by the AODA to ensure that DLS employees have the skills and knowledge to deliver customer service to persons with disabilities with sensitivity and respect.

  • Feedback

Feedback in the form of comments or suggestions can be provided by regular mail, fax, email, phone or in person. If the individual wishes to be contacted about their feedback, the name and contact of the individual must be provided. While we will endeavour to provide feedback as quickly as possible, some concerns may require more effort to address. In both situations, DLS will provide either feedback or acknowledgement of how the matter will be addressed.

Accommodation on the basis of Disability

The purpose of this Statement of Policy and Procedure is to state DLS`s commitment to preventing and removing barriers to people with disabilities, to accommodate persons with disabilities to the point of undue hardship and to establish a process by which persons with disabilities may request accommodation.

  • Employment

DLS is committed to fair and accessible employment practices.

During the recruitment and assessment process DLS shall notify job applicants and the public about its commitment to accommodate those with disabilities and shall advise those selected for an interview that accommodation is available upon request.

Successful applicants and employees shall be notified of DLS`s policies regarding accommodating employees with disabilities as soon as practicable after their employment begins.

Employees who wish to raise a potential accommodation shall do so by submitting a request for accommodation to Human Resources.

When necessary to facilitate the assessment and determination of a reasonable accommodation, the employee may be required to participate in development of an accommodation plan and provide relevant medical information to DLS. This information shall be kept confidential and will only be disclosed to those necessary in the assessment and development of the accommodation.

DLS permits service animals in areas that are available to the public or third parties.

Human Resources and the immediate Manager will jointly assess the accommodation issue considering the information provided and the individual needs of the employee. They will jointly finalize a decision regarding the accommodation issue and Human Resources will inform the employee in writing.

Accessibility Policy

DLS will meet the needs of disabled people by identifying, preventing, and removing barriers with the intention of increasing accessibility. This action supports the Company’s commitment to accessibility and the legislation under the Government of Ontario’s Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act, 2005 and the Ontario Human Rights Code.

Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities training has been provided to all employees. Continuous training will be provided to new employees and where a situation arises requiring additional training.

Introduction
Since it was founded in 1990, DLS has strategically partnered with innovative dairy equipment companies worldwide to provide the most complete product offering on the market. This product portfolio, coupled with over 25 years of experience in barn design, construction and service, has enabled the company to become a leader in the progressive dairy industry.
In addition to providing fully integrated milking parlour systems, DLS brings to its customers cutting-edge technology including milking robots, automatic feed pushers, sand recovery systems, and the worlds quietest, most durable headlocks.
Commitment
Our organization is committed to fulfilling our requirements under the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act, 2005.
DLS is committed to being responsive to the needs of our customers and to recognize the diverse needs of all customers.  DLS strives to provide services and facilities that are accessible and is working to remove and prevent barriers to accessibility.
The Multi-Year Accessibility Plan outlines our approach to ensuring an inclusive workplace and ensuring that our services are provided in an accessible manner for the public.
Our goal is to ensure accessibility for all employees and customers in regard to our services and at our facilities.
Obligations
The Multi-Year Plan is based upon requirements under the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act, 2005 (AODA).  The AODA sets out a roadmap for an accessible Ontario by 2025.  The requirements under the Integrated Accessibility Standards Regulations are being phased-in over several years to allow organizations time to incorporate accessibility into their regular business practices.
The multi-year plan lays out how DLS will accomplish the following:

  • Meet their accessibility requirements within required timelines specified in the Integrated Accessibility Standards Regulation
  • Address any current barriers
  • Prevent and remove future barriers

The Integrated Accessibility Standards
Accessibility Plan
This document is the Accessibility Plan for DLS and outlines our strategy for preventing and removing barriers to accessibility and meeting the requirements set out in the applicable regulations.  DLS will develop and maintain an Accessibility Plan outlining the company’s strategy to prevent and remove barriers from its workplace and improve opportunities for persons with disabilities.
The Accessibility Plan will be reviewed and updated at least once every five years and will be posted on the company’s website.  Upon request, DLS will provide a copy of the Accessibility Plan in an accessible format.
Our plan shows how DLS will play its role in making Ontario an accessible province for all Ontarians.
Key Outcomes

  • People with disabilities will have access to goods and services in a timely manner
  • People with disabilities will have access to information and communications in alternative formats
  • People with disabilities can participate fully in services and employment with DLS, including a barrier-free recruitment process
  • Remove barriers on DLS property making access easier and more accessible to people with disabilities

Our Approach

  • Revise human resources policies and procedures as required
  • Continuous training to existing and new employees
  • Continue to identify and remove barriers to employment
  • Maintain accessible websites including accessible web content
  • Engage customers and encourage feedback
  • Ensure there is access to information

Past Achievements to Remove and Prevent Barriers
Over the past 5 years DLS has initiated the removal of several barriers in regard to improving accessibility for people with disabilities and meeting the requirements of the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act, 2005. 

  • Installed automatic door opener buttons to make our building accessible to everyone
  • Installed clear signage over door entrances to ensure access to appropriate offices
  • Trained all employees in regard to serving customers with disabilities
  • Designated two parking spaces at the building entrance for easier access in spring 2020
  • Added an accessible washroom for employee and customer use
  • Created a customer feedback form and accessibility email to provide more accessible formats for customers to collect feedback

Establishment of Accessibility Policies
Customer Service
DLS is committed to providing accessible customer service to people with disabilities. This means that we will provide goods and services to people with disabilities with the same high quality and timeliness as others.
Members of the public will receive customer service in a manner that will meet their needs and ensures independence, dignity and equal opportunity.  DLS will continue to:

  • Review customer feedback and take appropriate action
  • Comply with the requirements of the Customer Service Standard including the accessibility policy and ongoing training for existing and new employees.

Information and Communications
Information and communication are an important part of the DLS operations and service provisions. It is important to DLS that information and communications are created in a way that considers accessibility.
DLS will

  • Update the DLS websites to WCAG 2.0 level AA by 2021
  • Create a feedback form and accessibility@dairylane.ca email for feedback from customers
  • Provide information in alternative formats upon request

Employment
DLS is committed to fair and accessible employment practices.  Human Resources will ensure DLS meets compliance requirements under the Integrated Accessibility Regulation including:

  • Understanding employer obligations to provide employment accommodations
  • Identifying and removing barriers in the workplace
  • Enhancing workplace emergency responses through individualized emergency response information and assistance as required
  • Remove barriers from the recruitment process

Training
DLS is committed to providing training in the requirements of Ontario’s accessibility laws and the Ontario Human Rights Code as it applies to people with disabilities.

  • DLS will ensure that training is provided based on the requirements of the accessibility standards referred to in the Regulation and continue to provide training to all new employees and as necessary due to changes to the AODA requirements.

For More Information
For more information on this accessibility plan, please contact Human Resources at:
519-666-1404 or through our accessibility email accessibility@dairylane.ca
Website and social media addresses:

Standard and accessible formats of this document are available on request from Human Resources.