Accessibility

 Multi-Year Accessibility Plan (2022-2027)

 Intent

This accessibility plan outlines the strategy of Riverside Natural Foods Ltd. to prevent and remove barriers for people with disabilities and comply with the requirements of the Integrated Accessibility Standards Regulation under the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act, 2005.

Statement of Commitment

Riverside Natural Foods Ltd. is committed to providing an accessible environment for all clients, employees, job applicants, suppliers, and visitors who may enter our premises, access our information, or use our services. As an organization, we respect and comply with the requirements of the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act, 2005, and its associated regulations. We strive to provide an accessible and welcoming environment for everyone by identifying and removing barriers in our workplace and ensuring that new barriers are not created. The company ensures that persons with disabilities are provided with equal opportunities. We are committed to meeting the needs of individuals with disabilities in a timely and integrative manner that respects their dignity and independence.

As of July 2024, we have engaged Allyant as our accessibility partner.

Multi-year Accessibility Plan

This plan is in effect from January 2022 to January 2027.

Customer Service

Riverside Natural Foods Ltd. is committed to ensuring we meet the needs of all customers. We will take all actions to provide an inclusive environment to our employees, customers, volunteers, and our contractors.

Riverside has taken the following actions to ensure that measures are met:

Reviews policies and procedures yearly to ensure that we meet the requirements by AODA and the ESA.

Provide AODA training for all employees to understand the purpose of the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities act, 2005.

Allow those persons with disabilities to provide feedback by telephone, in writing and by email. We will train all those employees who will be in contact with those persons to ensure clear communication to a variety of different disabilities.

Support persons and Support animals are welcomed into the facility to those areas outlined in the policy.

Information and Communications

Riverside Natural Foods Ltd. that those persons with a disability are communicated fairly and is committed to providing information in accessible formats for all persons.

Riverside has taken the following steps to ensure that the following measures are met:

Website and Feedback

Complied with the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) 2.0 Level A and will be included in all Riverside’s brands web pages.

Accessible formats will be provided, if asked, and will be provided by Riverside in a timely manner at no additional cost to the individual.

Emergency Public Safety Information

Emergency procedures, plans, or public safety information is available to the public in accessible formats when requested. Riverside has provided additional support to persons who identify with a disability to ensure they have access to this information in emergency situations.

Riverside’s fire wardens have been trained how to assist persons with disabilities. Detailed information about emergency plans can be found in our Employee Handbook.

Employment

Riverside Natural Foods Ltd. is committed to providing an inclusive environment that will focus on our recruitment, our workplace, and our AODA training.

Recruitment

Riverside will notify its employees and the public about the availability of accommodation throughout the recruitment process.

Upon selection of individual job candidates, Riverside will advise that accommodations are available upon request. If accommodation is needed, we will reach out to those candidates and provide a suitable accommodation that takes into account their accessibility needs.

Candidates in the final stages of the recruitment process will be notified of our AODA policy

All employees will be trained on how to support candidates throughout the recruitment process including the onboarding process, that will consist of accessible formats and AODA training.

Riverside

Managers, supervisors, and those persons with direct reports, will receive additional training to assist those with disabilities.

Additional support will be provided to employees to ensure a smooth transition in the return to work process for absence that was due to a disability. This will include an outline of steps and documentation of individual

Training

Riverside will ensure training is provided on the requirements outlined by the accessibility standards and on the Human Rights Code as it pertains to persons with disabilities to all employees, volunteers, all those who participate in developing the organizations policies, and all other persons who provides services/facilities on behalf of the organization

All those persons will be trained as soon as possible once employed and will be on an ongoing basis

Riverside will keep a detailed record of the training including dates of training and number of people who it is provided.

Design Public Spaces

Riverside Natural Foods Ltd. is committed to providing an accessible public space that is available to all when building or making changes.

Riverside has taken the following steps to ensure that the public eating area has provided inclusion:

Ensuring that the public eating area is accessible to all persons at all three facilities

Ensure that the locations of the seating areas allow all persons to sit at the table with their peers with a sufficient amount of space

Ensure that the ground level provides persons to sit with ease

All parking spaces will follow the laws according to the Toronto and Vaughan parking requirements for persons with a disability

Feedback Process

Riverside Natural Foods Ltd. is committed to meeting the needs of our customers and to improve access to our products and services. We welcome comments and feedback about our services. All accessibility related feedback will be handled through our regular complaint handling procedures.

For more information on our accessibility policy and to request a standard and accessible format, please contact us at 416-360-8200 or by email at Accessibility@riversidenaturals.com.