Multi-Year Accessibility Plan

This accessibility plan outlines the strategy of Stokes Seeds 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

Stokes Seeds Limited is committed to providing an accessible environment for all customers, 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.

Multi-Year Accessibility Plan

This plan is in effect from 2023 to 2028.

Under the AODA, 3 of the 5 accessibility standards are applicable to Stokes Seeds Ltd. These accessibility standards will help our organization identify and remove barriers to improve accessibility for people with disabilities:

• Information and Communications
• Customer Service
• Employment

Accessibillity Standards for Information and Communication

Ongoing Initiatives

• Stokes Seeds is committed to providing public emergency procedures, plans, and public safety information to anyone who requests it. The company promises to deliver this information promptly and in a format that is accessible to all individuals, ensuring inclusivity and compliance with accessibility standards.
• The workplace emergency response plan will be tailored to meet the specific needs of individuals with disabilities. It will outline the steps that these individuals should take during an emergency, ensuring their safety and providing clear guidance on how they can effectively respond in such situations.
• With the employee's permission, the company will assign specific assistance to employees with disabilities when needed. This ensures that they receive the necessary support during emergencies or other situations where help is required.
• The individualized workplace emergency response plan will be shared with the employee's manager and safety personnel only when necessary. This ensures that the relevant individuals are informed and prepared to support the employee, while also maintaining privacy and confidentiality.
• The individualized workplace emergency response plan will be regularly reviewed and updated to reflect any changes in the employee's accessibility needs or work location.
• The information will be stored in an area that can be accessed by Human Resource professionals.
• Stokes Seeds is committed to ensuring that feedback can be provided in various accessible formats, accommodating the needs of all individuals, including those with disabilities. Additionally, when responding to feedback, the company will use accessible formats to ensure that the response is equally inclusive and comprehensible to everyone. 

Plans for Improvement

Stokes Seeds plans to continue to improve the accessibility of the Stokes website to conform to the World Wide Web Consortium Web Content Accessibility Guidelines 2.0 Level AA including adaptable and navigable content, input assistance and keyboard accessibility. 

Accessibility Standards for Customer Service

Ongoing Initiatives

• The organization will offer training on how to provide goods, services, or facilities to individuals with disabilities. The training will be mandatory for the following groups:          

• • All employees will be trained to ensure they understand how to effectively and respectfully serve individuals with disabilities.
  • This ensures that everyone involved with the organization is equipped to support and serve individuals with disabilities in a respectful and effective manner.
  • Individual with a disability is accompanied by a support person or service animal, both are given equal access to the organization's goods and services 

• Training 

• • Training is provided to all employees, including those who participate in the development of the organization’s policies, and all other people who provide goods, services, and facilities on behalf of the company.
  • Training is provided as soon practicable within the onboarding process and on a continuous basis in respect to any changes made to Stokes Seeds Accessibility policies
  • Completion of training is tracked and recorded. 

Plans for Improvement

• Stokes Seeds plans to continue to develop a plan to notify the public if there is a temporary disruption of goods, services, or facilities used by persons with disabilities.
• Included in the notice will be the following: the reason for the disruption, the anticipated length of the disruption, a description of available alternative facilities or services (if any).
• Stokes Seeds is committed to offering accessible telephone services for customers with hearing or speech disabilities. It emphasizes the importance of considering alternative communication channels that might better suit their needs, ensuring effective and inclusive communication. 

Accessibility Standards for Employment Standard

Ongoing Initiatives

• Recruitment & Selection 

• • During the recruitment process, Stokes Seeds will continue to notify the public including job applicants who are selected to participate in an assessment, that accommodations are available upon request for those with disabilities.
  • When a selected applicant requests accommodation, Stokes Seeds consults with the applicant to provide or arrange suitable accommodation in a manner that considers the applicant’s accessibility needs due to disability. 
• Employees will be provided with updated information whenever there is a change to existing policies     
• Emergency Response Plan 

• • Continue to develop and review the Company’s emergency response plan for employees with disabilities. 
• Return to Work Process 

• • Continue to develop and review the Company’s Return to Work Processes. 
• Individual Accommodation Plans 

• • Stokes Seeds will continue to develop and document individual accommodation plans which comprise part of the return-to-work process, performance management, and career development. 

Plans for Improvement

• Performance Management and Talent Development 

• • Stokes is committed to incorporating accommodation plans into the performance manager and talent development process ensuring that employees with disabilities have equal opportunities to career progression and skills development

If you have any questions or concerns about this plan or its initiatives, or if you want to receive a copy of the plan in a different accessible format, please contact us at:

Email Address

hr@stokeseeds.com 

Mailing Address

296 Collier Road South, PO Box 10, Thorold, ON L2V 5E9

Phone Number

905-688-3634