Statement Of Commitment

WESTON FORD 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 meeting our accessibility requirements under the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act and Ontario’s accessibility laws.

WESTON FORD is committed to meeting its current and ongoing obligations under the Ontario Human Rights Code respecting non-discrimination.

WESTON FORD understands that obligations under the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act, 2005 (AODA) and its accessibility standards do not substitute or limit its obligations under the Ontario Human Rights Code or obligations to people with disabilities under any other law.

WESTON FORD is committed to excellence in serving and providing goods, services or facilities to all customers including people with disabilities.

Our accessible customer service policies are consistent with the principles of independence, dignity, integration and equality of opportunity for people with disabilities.

Training

We are committed to training all staff and volunteers in accessible customer service, other Ontario’s accessibility standards and aspects of the Ontario Human Rights Code that relate to persons with disabilities.

In addition, we will train:

• All persons who participate in developing the organization’s policies; and

• All other persons who provide goods, services or facilities on behalf of the organization

Training of our employees and volunteers on accessibility relates to their specific roles.

Training will be provided to:

• All employees who deal with the public or other third parties that act on behalf of and

• Those who are involved in the development and approval of customer service policies, practices, and procedures

Training includes:

• Purpose of the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act, 2005 and the requirements of the Customer Service Standards

• Our policies related to the Customer Service Standards

• 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 the equipment or devices available on-site or otherwise that may help with providing goods, services or facilities to people with disabilities

• What to do if a person with a disability is having difficulty in accessing our organization’s goods, services or facilities

WESTON FORD’s policies, procedures, and practices pertaining to providing accessible customer service to people with disabilities.

WESTON FORD will provide training as soon as practicable after hiring or implementation of a program or process. Training will be provided during orientation to new employees who deal with the public or act on our behalf. Revised training will be provided in the event of changes to legislation, procedures, or practices.

WESTON FORD will maintain records of the training provided including the dates on which the training was provided and the number of individuals to whom it was provided.

Assistive Devices

People with disabilities may use their personal assistive devices when accessing our goods or services provided by WESTON FORD.

In cases where the assistive device presents a significant and unavoidable health or safety concern or may not be permitted for other reasons, other measures will be used to ensure the person with a disability can access our goods, services or facilities.

WESTON FORD does not currently provide specialized assistive devices for customer use. Customers may use their own personal assistive devices when accessing our goods, services or facilities. Staff are trained to appropriately interact with and assist customers who use assistive devices. WESTON FORD does not currently provide specialized assistive devices for customer use. Staff receive accessibility training on how to interact with and assist persons who use personal assistive devices.

Communication

We communicate with people with disabilities in ways that take into account their disability. This may include the following:

• Speaking clearly and at an appropriate pace

• Using plain language and avoiding unnecessary jargon

• Providing information verbally

• Providing information in writing

• Providing information in an accessible electronic format

• Using larger print when requested

• Reading or verbally explaining written information when appropriate

• Allowing additional time for the person to communicate or respond

• Communicating by email or other electronic methods when appropriate

• Providing or arranging appropriate communication supports upon request

We will work with the person with disabilities to determine what method of communication works for them.

Service Animals

We welcome people with disabilities and their service animals. Service animals are allowed on the parts of our premises that are open to the public and third parties. Policies prohibiting pets on the premises do not apply to guide dogs, service animal, or service dogs. A customer with a disability who is accompanied by a guide dog, service animal, or service dog will be allowed access to premises that are open to the public unless otherwise excluded by law.

When we cannot easily identify that an animal is a service animal, our staff may ask for documentation (template, letter or form) from a regulated health professional that confirms the person needs the service animal for reasons relating to their disability.

A service animal can be easily identified through visual indicators, such as when it wears a harness or a vest, or when it helps the person perform certain tasks.

A regulated health professional is defined as a member of one of the following colleges:

• College of Audiologists and Speech-Language Pathologists of Ontario

• College of Chiropractors of Ontario

• College of Nurses of Ontario

• College of Occupational Therapists of Ontario

• College of Optometrists of Ontario

• College of Physicians and Surgeons of Ontario

• College of Physiotherapists of Ontario

• College of Psychologists of Ontario

• College of Registered Psychotherapists and Registered Mental Health Therapists of Ontario

• If service animals are prohibited by another law, we will do the following to ensure people with disabilities can access our goods, services or facilities:

• Explain why the animal is excluded

• Discuss with the customer another way of providing goods, services or facilities

Care and control of the animal

The customer who is accompanied by a guide dog, service dog, or service animal is responsible for maintaining care and control of the animal at all times.

Allergies

If a health and safety concern presents itself (for example, in the form of a severe allergy to the animal) WESTON FORD will make all reasonable efforts to meet the needs of all individuals.

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.

We notify customers of this by posting a notice in the following location(s):

• At the front door of each dealership or at the reception desk

In certain cases, this organization might require a person with a disability to be accompanied by a support person for the health or safety reasons of:

• The person with a disability

• Others on the premises

Before making a decision, WESTON FORD will:

• Consult with the person with a disability to understand their needs

• Consider health or safety reasons based on available evidence

• Determine if there is no other reasonable way to protect the health or safety of the person or others on the premises

If this organization determines that a support person is required, we will waive the admission fee or fare (if applicable) for the support person.

Notice of Temporary Disruption

In the event of a planned or unexpected disruption to services or facilities for customers with disabilities, this organization will notify customers promptly. Service disruptions may occur due to reasons that may or may not be within the control or knowledge of WESTON FORD. In the event of any temporary disruptions to facilities or services that customers with disabilities rely on or use WESTON FORD goods or services, reasonable efforts will be made to provide advance notice. In some circumstances, such as in the situation of unplanned temporary disruptions, advance notice may not be possible. This clearly posted notice will include information about the reason for the disruption, its anticipated length of time, and a description of alternative facilities or services, if available.

If a notification needs to be posted, the following information will be included unless it is not readily available or known:

• Goods or services that are disrupted or unavailable

• Reason for the disruption

• Anticipated duration and

• A description of alternative services or options

Services/Facilities include:

• Show rooms

• Administrative and sales offices

• Washrooms

• Parking lots

• Service desk and waiting areas

The notice will be made publicly available in the following ways:

• Posted on the front door

• Posted on the company website

• Posting notices in conspicuous places, including at the point of disruption, at the main entrance, and the nearest accessible entrance with appointments

• Verbally notifying customers when they are making a reservation or appointment or

• By any other method that may be reasonable under the circumstances

Feedback Process

WESTON FORD welcomes feedback on how we provide accessible customer service. Customer feedback will help us identify barriers and respond to concerns.

WESTON FORD will:

• Provide accessible formats and communication supports for its processes for receiving and responding to feedback on request

• Notify the public about the availability of these formats and supports

Feedback may be provided in the following ways:

• Via email to Bob Mitchell: bob@westonford.com

• Write a letter to WESTON FORD 2062 Weston Rd, North York, ON, M9N 1X5

WESTON FORD ensures our feedback process is accessible to people with disabilities by providing or arranging for accessible formats and communication supports, on request.

All feedback, including complaints, will be handled in the following manner:

• Via email or phone call within 10 business days of receiving the feedback

We ensure our feedback process is accessible to people with disabilities by providing or arranging for accessible formats and communication supports, on request.

Notice of Availability of Documents

WESTON FORD will provide these documents in an accessible format or with communication support, on request. We will consult with the person making the request to determine the suitability of the format or communication support. We will provide the accessible format in a timely manner and, at no additional cost.

WESTON FORD notifies the public that documents related to accessible customer service, are available upon request by posting a notice in the following location(s)/way(s):

• Send an email to info@iagcanada.com or contact the manager at WESTON FORD: Bob@westonford.com

Self-service Kiosks

We will incorporate accessibility features/consider accessibility for people with disabilities when designing, procuring or acquiring self-service kiosks.

Information and Communications

WESTON FORD has a process for receiving and responding to feedback, and the process is accessible to persons with disabilities upon request.

WESTON FORD communicates with people with disabilities in ways that take into account their disability. When requested, WESTON FORD will provide information about the organization and its services, including public safety information, in accessible formats or with communication supports:

• In a timely manner, taking into account the person’s accessibility needs due to disability; and

• At a cost that is no more than the regular cost charged to other persons

WESTON FORD will consult with the person making the request in determining the suitability of an accessible format or communication support.

If WESTON FORD determines that information or communications are unconvertible, WESTON FORD will provide the requestor with:

• An explanation as to why the information or communications are unconvertible; and

• A summary of the unconvertible information or communications

WESTON FORD will notify the public about the availability of accessible formats and communication supports by:

• Posting on our website

• Written in policy available to be printed or emailed upon request

WESTON FORD will also meet internationally recognized Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) 2.0 Level AA website requirements in accordance with Ontario’s accessibility laws.

Employment

WESTON FORD notifies employees, job applicants and the public that accommodations can be made during recruitment and hiring. We notify job applicants when they are individually selected to participate in an assessment or selection process that accommodations are available upon request. We consult with the applicants and provide or arrange for suitable accommodation.

WESTON FORD notifies successful applicants of policies for accommodating employees with disabilities when making offers of employment.

We notify staff that supports are available for those with disabilities as soon as practicable after they begin their employment. We provide updated information to employees whenever there is a change to existing policies on the provision of job accommodation that take into account an employee’s accessibility needs due to a disability.

We will consult with employees when arranging for the provision of suitable accommodation in a manner that takes into account the accessibility needs due to disability. We will consult with the person making the request in determining the suitability of an accessible format or communication supports specifically for:

• Information that is needed in order to perform the employee’s job; and

• Information that is generally available to employees in the workplace

Where needed, we will also provide customized emergency information to help an employee with a disability during an emergency. With the employee’s consent, we will provide workplace emergency information to a designated person who is providing assistance to that employee during an emergency.

We will provide the information as soon as practicable after we become aware of the need for accommodation due to the employee’s disability.

We will review the individualized workplace emergency response information:

• When the employee moves to a different location in the organization;

• When the employee’s overall accommodations needs or plans are reviewed; and

• When the employer reviews its general emergency response policies

Employment Standards

This section outlines how WESTON FORD will make accessibility part of the recruitment process and support employees with disabilities. These standards only apply to employees or potential employees and do not apply to any non-paid individuals.

Recruitment:

When advertising job positions, WESTON FORD will notify its employees and the public about the availability of accommodation for job applicants with disabilities.

When inviting individually selected job applicants to participate in the interview process, WESTON FORD will:

• Inform the applicant that accessibility accommodations are available upon request

• Consult with an applicant who requests accommodation and provide suitable accommodation based on the applicant’s accessibility needs

When offering a job to a successful applicant WESTON FORD will inform them of WESTON FORD ‘s policies on accommodating employees with disabilities.

Accessible Formats and Communication Supports for Employees:

WESTON FORD will:

• Inform employees of its accessible employment policies

• Provide these policies to new employees when they begin their employment

• Provide updated information to all employees whenever these policies change

Upon request from an employee with a disability, WESTON FORD will:

• Consult with the employee in order to determine their accessibility needs

• Provide suitable accessible formats and communication supports based on the employee’s accessibility needs due to disability for information needed to perform their job and that is generally available to WESTON FORD employees in the workplace

Workplace Emergency Response Information:

WESTON FORD will provide individualized workplace emergency response information to employees who have a disability:

• If the disability makes Emergency Response Information necessary;

• If WESTON FORD is aware of the need for accommodation; and

• As soon as is practicable

With the employee’s consent, WESTON FORD will also provide the emergency response information to any person designated to assist the employee.

WESTON FORD will review the emergency response information when:

• The employee moves to a different location within WESTON FORD

• The employee’s overall accommodation needs or plans are reviewed

• WESTON FORD reviews its general emergency response policies

Individual Accommodation Plan

WESTON FORD will maintain a written process for assessing requests for accommodation and developing an individual accommodation plan for any employee with a disability who requests accommodation.

The process will outline how:

• The employee’s accessibility needs will be assessed;

• The employee’s personal information will be protected and kept confidential;

• The employee will be able to participate in the development of their individual accommodation plan;

• The employee may request that a representative from the workplace participate in developing the accommodation plan;

• The reasons for denying an accommodation plan or request will be communicated to the employee; and

• The accommodation plan will be provided in an accessible format, where required, and will be reviewed and updated as necessary.

Return to Work Process

WESTON FORD will have a written return-to-work process for employees who have been absent from work due to a disability and require disability-related accommodations in order to return to work.

The return-to-work process will include the development of an accommodation plan, where appropriate.

Performance Management, Career Development and Redeployment

WESTON FORD will take into account the accessibility needs of employees with disabilities, as well as individual accommodation plans where applicable, when:

• Providing career development and advancement opportunities;

• Engaging in performance management; and

• Considering redeployment