Accessibility Policy

Purpose

In accordance with the Customer Service Standard of the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act, 2005 (AODA), Sprigings Intellectual Property Law (“Sprigings”) (the “Firm”) has developed policies and procedures for the provision of goods and services to persons with disabilities. Sprigings is committed to ensuring that the requirements set out in the AODA are rigorously observed. This policy applies to all employees of Sprigings, and to any third party that provides goods and services on behalf of Sprigings who may interact with the public or third parties.

Providing Services to Persons with Disabilities

1. Communication – When communicating with a person with a disability, Sprigings takes into account the particular needs and circumstances of the individual, employing appropriate methods of respectful communication.
2. Assistive Devices – Sprigings permits and facilitates the use of personal assistive devices by persons with disabilities to obtain, use, or benefit from the goods or services we provide. Our staff is prepared to help with the use of various types of assistive devices by persons with disabilities accessing our goods and services.
3. Service Animals and Support Persons –Persons with disabilities who require the accompaniment of a service animal or support person are permitted to access all areas of our premises open to the public. Our staff is prepared to interact and assist with people with disabilities who are accompanied by a service animal.

Notice of Temporary Disruptions

Sprigings is committed to providing customers and clients with publicly available emergency information in an accessible way. Upon request, any emergency procedures, plans or public safety information the Firm prepares and makes available to the public will be provided in an accessible format or with appropriate communication supports as soon as practicable.

We will also provide, as soon as practicable, individualized workplace emergency response information to employees with disabilities as necessary if we are made aware of the need for accommodation.  Individualized workplace emergency response information will be reviewed in accordance with the AODA.

If there is a temporary disruption in the facilities or services usually employed by people with disabilities, we will provide clients with notice as soon as possible, including: 

1. The reason for the disruption;
2. The anticipated duration of the disruption; and 
3. A description of any alternative facilities or services, if available.
   

Training for Staff

Sprigings has provided training to each individual employee as soon as practicable after he or she is assigned duties which require the need for training. Updated training is provided on an ongoing basis whenever changes are made to our policies, practices, or procedures to ensure that the Customer Service Standard is properly implemented and followed at all times.

Our training program consists of the following components:

• the purpose of the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act, 2005 and the requirements of the Customer Service Standard; and the Ontario Human Rights Code as it relates to individuals with disabilities.
• how to interact and communicate with persons with various types of disabilities;
• how to interact with persons with disabilities who use an assistive device or require the assistance of a service animal or support person;
• how to use equipment or devices available on the premises of Sprigings or otherwise provided by Sprigings that may help with the provision of goods or services to a person with a disability;
• what to do if a person with a particular type of disability is having difficulty accessing the goods or services provided by Sprigings; and
• our accessibility policy, procedures, and practices relating to the Customer Service Standard.

Websites

The Firm will take reasonable steps to ensure that all websites controlled by the Firm, and content on those sites published after January 1, 2012 (other than closed captions and pre-recorded audio descriptions), conform with WCAG 2.0, Level AA, except where meeting the requirement is not practicable.

Recruitment and Hiring Process

Sprigings Intellectual Property Law is committed to fostering a culture of equity, diversity and inclusion that respects and embraces the unique backgrounds of individuals. Accordingly, we are committed to diversity and inclusion in our hiring, retention, and advancement of employees. Upon request, accommodations are available during the hiring and employment process. Our commitment to diversity and inclusion is also encouraged by our clients who want to be represented by people with diverse backgrounds.  Please direct all requests for accommodation to:

Sprigings Intellectual Property Law

148 Norseman Street

Toronto, ON M8Z 2R4

T 416.777.0888

F 416.777.0881

E info@sprigings.com

Questions and Feedback Process

In order to properly assess the needs of persons with disabilities, Sprigings encourages feedback from individuals on the way we provide services to persons with disabilities. Feedback can be directed to:

Sprigings Intellectual Property Law

148 Norseman Street

Toronto, ON M8Z 2R4

T 416.777.0888

F 416.777.0881

E info@sprigings.com

Sprigings will address complaints that arise through the feedback process in a timely manner.

Any modifications made to this policy and any related policies will be for the purpose of improving our ability to provide services to persons with disabilities. Any changes made to this policy or related policies will carefully take into account the impact it may have on people with disabilities. Any provision of this policy or related policies that does not enhance our ability to provide goods and services to persons with disabilities will be modified accordingly.

Distribution of Policy

This policy and any corresponding practices and procedures are made available to any person who requests. Sprigings posts notice of the availability of these documents on all premises to which this policy applies.