1. Customer Service
  2. Multi Year Accessibility Plan

MULTI YEAR ACCESSIBILITY PLAN FOR STORES IN ONTARIO, CANADA

1. BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

At Talbots Canada, we are committed to providing a respectful, welcoming, and accessible environment for customers and staff alike. We strive to operate in a way that respects the dignity and independence of individuals with disabilities. This Multi-Year Accessibility Plan describes the activities Talbots Canada will put in place to improve opportunities for individuals with disabilities in Ontario stores by meeting the requirements of the Integrated Accessibility Standards (IAS) under the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act, 2005 (AODA) and by preventing and eliminating barriers faced by persons with disability. This plan is effective until December 31, 2018 and will be reviewed and revised by January 1, 2019.

2. STATEMENT OF COMMITMENT

Talbots Canada is committed to providing its good and services in a way that allows persons with disabilities to maintain their dignity and independence. This commitment will be integrated wherever possible and will ensure that persons with disabilities will benefit from the same goods and services, in the same place and in a similar manner as other customers.

Talbots is committed to ensuring that every associate and customer receives equitable treatment with respect to employment and services, without discrimination, and receives accommodation where required, in accordance with the provisions of the AODA and its Regulations. Talbots Canada will meet the accessibility needs of persons with disabilities in a timely manner. To ensure compliance, we will focus on building accessibility into both existing and new policies and will achieve the most effective and efficient access to information for all individuals. We will review and update policies and standards regularly to ensure high quality accessible services.

3. REVIEW

The Multi-Year Accessibility Plan will be maintained and updated as required. The current Plan is effective through to December 31, 2018 and will undergo a review and any required revisions by January 1, 2019.

4. REVIEW

This Multi-Year Accessibility Plan is posted on Talbots website and will be provided upon request to any member of the public in a hard, electronic or other Accessible Format.

5. ACCESSIBLE CUSTOMERSERVICE POLICY

Talbots Canada has implemented the Customer Service Accessibility Policy to ensure that our customers with disabilities are treated with dignity and respect and have the same opportunity to access and benefit from our merchandise, facilities and services as other customers.

6. ACCESSIBLE EMERGENCY INFORMATION

Talbots Canada does not currently provide publicly available emergency information. If, in the future we provide such information to the public, we will do so in an accessible way upon request.

Talbots Canada provides associates with disabilities the opportunity to participate in the preparation of individualized emergency response information plans when necessary to assist them in the event of an emergency. Associates are made aware of this opportunity during new hire orientation and throughout their employment.

7. TRAINING

Talbots Canada provides training to associates on accessible customer service. Commencing in 2016, Talbots Canada will also provide training to associates on Ontario’s accessibility laws and human rights laws as they relate to individuals with disabilities. Training will be provided in a way that best suits our associate’s job duties and responsibilities.

Training will be provided on:

  • the requirements of the IAS;
  • the Human Rights Code as it pertains to persons with disabilities; and
  • the AODA Policies as required by the IAS.

Associates hired after the compliance deadline for training will receive the required training as soon as practicable. Talbots Canada keepS a record of the training provided, including the dates on which the training is provided.

8. KIOSKS

Talbots Canada does not currently utilize self-service kiosks. If we do so at some future time, we will consider the needs of individuals with disabilities when procuring or acquiring such kiosks.