PPI

Accessibility at PPI

Our commitment to accessibility

PPI, a subsidiary of iA Financial Group, is committed to providing accessible services to all clients and to ensuring that the workplace is safe, welcoming, barrier-free and accessible. As part of this commitment, we will work to comply with our obligations under the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act, the Accessibility for Manitobans Act, and similar applicable accessibility legislation in other Canadian jurisdictions (collectively, “Accessibility Legislation”).

Positive work environment

PPI strives to provide a workplace that is recognized as inclusive for all, regardless of ethnicity, nationality, language, religious beliefs, gender, sexual orientation, age, marital status, family status or physical or mental disability. Our goal is to ensure that each individual is treated with respect and integrity. We are committed to providing all employees with a dignified and respectful work environment.

Accessible employment standards

As part of our commitment to a positive work environment, we will develop accessible processes to comply with applicable employment standards under Accessibility Legislation in the following areas:

  • Recruitment and selection of individuals with disabilities

  • Interviews

  • Notice

  • Information about available supports

  • Accessible formats and communication support for disabled employees, upon request

  • Accommodation and return-to-work plans

  • Performance management

  • Career development and advancement

  • Retention

Individual employee accommodation plans

Processes for the development of documented individual accommodation plans for employees will include the following elements:

  • Involvement in the development of a written plan

  • Consideration of the disability on an individual basis

  • Seeking out, as may be required, medical or other expert opinions on accommodation needs

  • Consideration of how other representatives or agents may be involved in the process

  • A commitment to protect personal information within the process

  • Establishment of a regular review process as needed

  • Communication of the plan in an accessible format, where requested.

Return to work process

The development of a return-to-work process for employees who have been absent due to their disability and require accommodation to return to work will include the following elements:

  • Developing a written plan that outlines the steps required to help facilitate the return to work.

  • Ensuring that any return-to-work plan takes into consideration an individual accommodation plan, where one exists.

Accessible Customer Service

PPI's accessible customer service plan is based on the following principles:

Independence:  ensuring that clients are provided with the opportunity to do things on their own without interference from others, unless assistance is requested.

Dignity:  ensuring the delivery of services does not exclude persons with disabilities from accessing PPI's services.  Providing services in a manner that allows disabled persons to maintain their self-respect and the respect of others.

Integration:  ensuring that clients with disabilities are able to benefit from the same services, in the same or similar manner and in the same place as other clients unless alternate measures are required or requested.

Equal Opportunity:  ensuring that clients with disabilities have the same opportunity to fully benefit from accessing PPI's services.

PPI is committed to:

Communicating with disabled persons in a manner consistent with the principle of dignity, and will make reasonable efforts to take into account each disabled person's specific needs when communicating with them.  This includes using appropriate language, offering different methods of communication; providing documentation in electronic copy format, or in large font, audio or video formats.

Persons with disabilities are allowed to carry with them or to provide their assistive devices in the workplace in order to facilitate their service experience.  Assistive devices include oxygen tanks, wheelchair, voice amplification systems, teletypewriters, voice output communication aids, writing aids, etc.

Service animals are permitted in work areas that are normally accessible to our clients.  Interaction with service animals should only take place with the express permission from the owner or handler of the animal.

A support person is defined as a person who accompanies a person with a disability to assist them with communication, mobility, personal care or medical needs or with accessing services. A support person will be allowed to accompany the client to all areas normally accessible to clients, including client meetings, with the express written permission of the disabled person. The Support Person consent form is available on request and on the website here.

Should there be a planned or unexpected disruption to services or facilities that may affect persons with disabilities, PPI will notify clients promptly.  Notices will be displayed at PPI's reception areas.

Accessibility training

PPI is committed to providing training in accordance with Accessibility Legislation, including employees, volunteers, those involved in developing our accessibility policies and procedures and service providers who provide services on our behalf. Training will include the following:

  • the requirements of applicable Accessibility Legislation

  • the requirements of applicable human rights codes in regard to persons with disabilities

  • how to provide accessible customer service including how to interact and communicate with people with various types of disabilities

  • this policy and changes to this policy

Accessible information and communications

PPI is committed to meeting the communication needs of individuals with disabilities. We strive to provide people with disabilities with appropriate accessible formats or communication aids in accordance with Accessibility Legislation, when requested. Otherwise, we will work with the individual to find a solution that takes into account the person’s disability. In addition, our websites and their content are designed to meet standards for web accessibility, as required, in accordance with the applicable requirements of Accessibility Legislation.

To make a request, please contact Accessibility at PPI.

Accessible public space design

We are committed to meeting the standards for the design of public spaces in accordance with our obligations under Accessibility Legislation.

Multi-year accessibility plan

PPI has established a multi-year accessibility plan in accordance with Accessibility Legislation. The purpose of the plan is to demonstrate the steps we are taking to remove barriers to accessibility while ensuring compliance with the standards set out in that Legislation. The plan can be found here and will be reviewed and updated at least once every five (5) years.

Feedback and Questions

Clients with disabilities who wish to offer feedback on their service experience with PPI, including questions, concerns or complaints regarding this policy, may direct their comments via email, telephone or in writing to:

Accessibility Feedback Human Resources PPI Management Inc. 2235 Sheppard Avenue, East Suite 1000 Toronto, ON M2J 5B5 Telephone: 888-887-3892 Email: poneill@ppi.ca

PPI will provide or arrange for accessible formats and communication support, on request.  Aspart of the feedback process, we will review any complaints related to accessible customer service or this policy in a thorough and timely manner.

All policies will be reviewed to ensure they are written to reflect PPI’s commitment to providing a workplace that respects and values persons with disabilities.