Accessibility Policy
Business Entity: Imagewear Canada Co. LTD o/a Workwear Outfitters
Effective: May 01, 2025
Owner: Human Resources
Organization Statement of Commitment
Workwear Outfitters (the “Company”) is dedicated to providing accessible goods and services across our retail stores, distribution centers, and offices, ensuring inclusiveness for customers, vendors, contractors, and employees, including those with disabilities. Our vision for accessibility is that people with disabilities are given the same opportunity as others to obtain and benefit from our offered services. Our goal is to make reasonable efforts to provide services in such a way that the key principles of independence, dignity, integration and equality of opportunity for persons with disabilities are respected.
Our policies align with the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act, 2005 (“AODA”) and the Integrated Accessibility Standards Regulation (“Customer Service Standards”).
Additionally, we remain committed to our obligations under the Ontario Human Rights Code, ensuring non-discrimination and recognizing that accessibility standards complement, rather than replace, our broader legal responsibilities to individuals with disabilities.
Accessibility Training
We will ensure that the following persons receive training about the provision of goods, services and facilities to persons with disabilities: all employees and volunteers, all persons who deal with members of the public or third parties on behalf of the Company, and every person who participates in developing our policies, practices, and procedures governing the provision of goods, services or facilities to members of the public or third parties.
Training will include instruction on:
· The purpose of the AODA and the requirements of the Customer Service Standards.
· The organization’s policies related to the Customer Service Standards.
· How to interact and communicate in a way that considers an individual’s disability.
· How to interact with and support individuals using assistive devices to access services.
· Welcoming service animals and support persons.
· Steps to take if an individual with a disability is experiencing difficulty accessing our goods, services, or facilities.
· Notifying the public of temporary disruptions to services or facilities.
· Maintaining a process for receiving and responding to accessibility feedback.
This training will be provided to each person as soon as practicable and on an ongoing basis in connection with changes to the policies, practices and procedures governing the Company’s provision of goods and services to individuals with disabilities.
The Company will keep records of the training provided, including dates on which training is provided and the number of individuals in attendance.
Communication
We are committed to communicating with individuals with disabilities in ways that take into account the person’s disability. If requested, we will work with individuals with disabilities to provide accessible format or with communication support in a timely fashion and at a cost that is no more than the regular cost charged to other persons. We will consult with the individual making the request to determine the suitability of an accessible format or communication support.
Across all service channels—including in-store, phone, email, and live chat—we strive to ensure effective and inclusive communication. We have ensured that our websites and content available to individuals are compliant with Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) 2.0 Level AA.
Employees will respectfully identify and accommodate preferred communication methods, such as verbal interactions, written correspondence, or accessible formats, to provide the best possible service.
Assistive Devices
We welcome individuals with disabilities to use assistive devices when accessing our goods, services, and in our workplace. Our employees will be trained on how to interact with and support individuals using assistive devices to ensure an inclusive and accessible experience.
In cases where the assistive device presents a significant unavoidable health or safety concern or may not be permitted by on the premises by law, other measures will be put in place to ensure individuals with a disability can access our goods, services, or facilities.
Support Persons
Any individual with a disability who is accompanied by a support person will be allowed to enter our premises with their support person. At no time will an individual with a disability who is accompanied by a support person be prevented from having access to their support person while on our premises.
We may require a person with a disability to be accompanied by a support person, but only if, after consulting with the person with a disability and considering the available information, we determine that the support person is necessary to protect the health and safety of the person with the disability or of others on the premises, and there is no other
reasonable way to protect the health or safety of the person with the disability or others on the premises.
Service Animals
We welcome service animals that accompany individuals with disabilities in all areas of our premises open to the public or third parties except as otherwise prohibited by law.
If a service animal is excluded from the premises by law or presents a significant unavoidable health or safety concern, other measures will be put in place to ensure individuals with a disability can access our goods, services, or facilities.
We will ensure that all staff dealing with the public are properly trained in how to interact with individuals with disabilities who are accompanied by a service animal.
Notice of Temporary Disruption
In the event of a planned or unexpected disruption to services or locations or facilities, customers, including individuals with disabilities, will be notified promptly.
A clearly posted notice will provide:
· The reason for the disruption
· The expected duration
· Details on alternative locations, facilities, or services, if available
Notices will be placed at all location entrances and public access points to ensure visibility and accessibility for all visitors.
Multi-Year Accessibility Plan
Our Multi-Year Accessibility Plan outlines the Company’s strategies for preventing and removing barriers and meeting its requirements under the applicable legislation. The plan is posted on our website and we will provide it in an accessible format upon request. The plan will be reviewed and updated at least once every five years.
Feedback Process
The organization welcomes feedback including complaints on how we provide accessible customer service. Customer feedback will help us identify barriers and respond to concerns.
Feedback may be provided in the following ways:
1. Speak directly with a store manager or person in charge at the store level who will escalate your question or concern to the appropriate party.
2. Through the accessible feedback form available on our websites
3. Email: workwear.Canada.HR@wwof.com;
4. Phone: 519-620-4000 ext. 4059
5. Mail: Workwear Outfitters 415 Thompson Drive, Cambridge, ON. N1T 2K7
We will provide or arrange for alternative accessible formats or communication supports to ensure the feedback process is accessible to individuals with disabilities, upon request. Feedback will be reviewed, and a response will be provided in a timely manner.
Availability of Documents
This Policy incorporates all of the document requirements under the Customer Service Standards, and is available upon request. When a request is made for this Policy or any of the information contained in this Policy by an individual with a disability, the Company will provide the document or the information contained in the document in a format that takes into account the individual’s disability.