(Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act, 2005 and Integrated Accessibility Standard Regulations (191/11))
Statement of Commitment
Lerners is committed to providing people with disabilities the same opportunities to access our services and allowing them to benefit from the same services, in the same place and in a similar manner as other clients and visitors. Lerners will provide these opportunities by preventing and removing barriers to accessibility in accordance with the accessibility objectives and requirements under the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act, 2005 (“AODA”).
Lerners is also committed to providing a work environment whereby all firm members receive an equal employment opportunity and accommodation where required, in accordance with the requirements under the AODA and theIntegrated Accessibility Standards Regulation (191/11) (“IASR”).
This Plan outlines current policies and new policies and actions that Lerners will put into place to improve opportunities for people with disabilities.
Integrated Accessibility Standards Regulation (IASR)
Lerners’ Multi-Year Accessibility Plan (“Plan”) sets out the firm’s strategy to address our current and future accessibility objectives in accordance with the requirements of the Act and IASR. As required by the Act and the IASR, this Plan will be reviewed and updated every 5 years.
The requirements applicable to Lerners are as follows —
Client service standards;
Emergency response information;
Information and communications;
Employment practices;
Design of public spaces;
Training; and
Reporting.
Client Service Standards
Lerners strives to provide its services in a manner that respects the dignity and independence of everyone involved, including people with disabilities. In 2011 Lerners established a Client Service Policy for Providing Goods and Services to People with Disabilities to meet its obligations under the AODA.
All firm members are trained on the purpose and requirements of the AODA on an ongoing basis as required and training is provided to new firm members during their new hire orientation.
Assistive devices are available to people with disabilities and the appropriate firm members are trained and familiar with various assistive devices. The firm’s assistive devices include, but are not limited to wheel chairs, Bell TTY relay services, oxygen tanks, large print documents and client voicemail and email access.
Lerners accommodates people with disabilities who are accompanied by a registered service animal, or support person in the areas of our premises that are open to the public.
Notice is provided to clients and visitors in the event of a planned or unexpected disruption in our facilities or services. This notice includes the reason for the disruption, its anticipated duration and a description of alternative facilities or services, if available.
Lerners has established a feedback process to receive and respond to inquiries and comments by mail, email, phone, fax and in person.
Emergency Response Information
Lerners is committed to providing clients and visitors with publicly available emergency information in an accessible manner upon request. Firm members with disabilities are provided with individualized emergency response information and accommodation, as required.
Information and Communication Standards
Employment Practices
Design of Public Spaces
Training
Reporting
Feedback Process
Feedback regarding accessibility at Lerners can be provided in the following manners —
in person, or by Canada Post mail regarding the London Office to
Yola S. Ventresca, Managing Partner
Christina Weir, Senior Director of HR
Lerners LLP
85 Dufferin Avenue, Box 2335
London, ON N6A 4G4in person, or by Canada Post mail regarding the Toronto Office to
Anne E. Spafford, Managing Partner
Christina Weir, Senior Director of HR
Lerners LLP
130 Adelaide Street West, Suite 2400
Toronto, ON M5H 3P5by Canada Post mail regarding the Strathroy Office to
Yola S. Ventresca, Managing Partner
Christina Weir, Senior Director of HR
Lerners LLP
53 Front Street West
Strathroy ON N7G 1X6by Canada Post mail regarding the Waterloo Region to
Yola S. Ventresca, Managing Partner
Christina Weir, Senior Director of HR
Lerners LLP
9 Ahrens Street W
Kitchener, ON N2H 4B6by email regarding the London, Strathroy, and Waterloo Region Office to
Yola S. Ventresca at yventresca@lerners.ca
Christina Weir at cweir@lerners.caby email regarding the Toronto Office to
Anne E. Spafford at aspafford@lerners.ca
Christina Weir at cweir@lerners.caby direct personal fax regarding the London, Strathroy, and Waterloo Region Office to
Yola S. Ventresca – 519-640-6378
Christina Weir – 519-640-6359by direct personal fax regarding the Toronto Office to
Anne E. Spafford – 416-867-2437
Christina Weir – 519-640-6359by direct phone regarding the London, Strathroy, and Waterloo Region Office to
Yola S. Ventresca – 519-640-6378
Christina Weir – 519-640-6359by direct phone regarding the Toronto Office to
Anne E. Spafford — 416-601-2388
Christina Weir – 519-640-6359by accessing the Feedback form on Lerners’ Website at https://lerners.ca/accessibility/accessibility-lerners-llp-feedback-form/
All feedback will be directed to the respective Managing Partner and Director of Human Resources for review and consideration. All feedback will be maintained by the Director of Human Resources.
Clients and the public can expect to receive a response to their feedback in the appropriate accessible manner within ten (10) business days of receipt of the feedback.
Last updated: January 2023
