view of a machinign shop from the floor

Accessibility

Message from the CEO

Welcome to Sphere Manufacturing Group.

By uniting RJB Machining Ltd., Eldorado Tool & Manufacturing Co. Ltd., and KW Anodizing Ltd. under one strong brand, Sphere Manufacturing Group seeks to bring leading products to market through innovation while servicing the needs of the environment and our community.

Safety is always our number one priority. Accessibility goes hand in hand with providing our employees and clients a space which meets or exceeds accessibility standards as well as providing accessible communication.

Sphere Manufacturing Group is AODA compliant. We are always looking for ways to improve our accessibility and accommodation measures. As we grow and acquire additional businesses, we will endeavor to ensure all of our divisions are compliant and providing accessible workspaces.

If you experience an issue with regards to our website or communication services, please contact us to let us know how we can help.

If you require an accommodation, speak to the HR Manager to make a request. Sphere will work with you cooperatively to determine a reasonable accommodation and to develop an accommodation plan to the point of undue hardship. All requests will be taken seriously, and no person will be penalized for making an accommodation request. If you see something that may be a barrier to people with disabilities or have ideas for barrier prevention, report it to Human Resources. We are always looking for ways to improve our accessibility practices.

Aly Rahemtulla

 

Introduction

Sphere Manufacturing Group is committed to fulfilling our requirements under the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act, 2005. This accessibility plan outlines the steps we are taking to meet those requirements and to improve opportunities for people with disabilities. The plan is reviewed and updated at least once every five years. Sphere Manufacturing Group trains every employee as soon as practicable after being hired and provides training in respect of any changes to the policies. Sphere Manufacturing Group maintains records of the training provided including the dates on which the training was provided and the number of individuals to whom it was provided.

Section one of the Multi-Year Accessibility Plan includes specific projects and programs that Sphere Manufacturing Group has implemented to improve accessibility for people with disabilities and to meet requirements of the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act. Provided in this first section are detailed actions and initiatives of past achievements to remove and prevent barriers at Sphere Manufacturing Group. Section two of the Multi-Year Accessibility Plan focuses on strategies and actions that Sphere Manufacturing Group plans to implement and accomplish to continue to meet the requirements of the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act.

 

Section 1. Past Achievements to Remove and Prevent Barriers

Information and Communication

Sphere Manufacturing Group is committed to communicating and providing information in a manner which is accessible to people with disabilities. The initiatives that have been implemented are:

  • Notifying applicants and the public during the recruitment process about Sphere Manufacturing Group’s commitment to accommodate those with disabilities.
  • Placing Sphere Manufacturing Group’s commitment to providing accessibility accommodations to people with disabilities on all job postings.
  • Those selected for an interview are advised that accommodation is available upon request.
  • Upon request, Sphere Manufacturing Group consults with the selected applicant to provide a suitable accommodation that takes into account the applicant’s accessibility needs due to disability.
  • Accessibility accommodation information is located on all job posting
  • Incoming employees are provided with a copy of company policy during the employee orientation process.
  • The public is notified about the availability of accessible formats and communication supports upon request.

Employment

Employees who wish or need to raise a potential accommodation issue do so by submitting a request for accommodation, preferable in writing to their immediate manager. The request includes:

  • A description of the limitations on the employee’s ability to perform the duties of his or her position caused by the disability.
  • A description of any accommodation(s) sought.
  • Sufficient information given to confirm the existence of a need for accommodation.
  • Employee may be required to participate in the development of an accommodation plan and to provide relevant medical information to Sphere Manufacturing Group.

During the employee orientation process, Sphere Manufacturing Group provides the employee with a copy of the Policy and Procedures: Accommodation on the Basis of Disability. This policy is located in under employee relations of Sphere Manufacturing Group’s statement of policy and procedures. The policy addresses the following:

  • Where an employee requests an accommodation for needs related to a disability, Sphere Manufacturing Group (Sphere) will accommodate the employee to the point of undue hardship.
  • Where an accommodation would cause undue hardship, Sphere Manufacturing Group will implement the next best accommodation short of undue hardship.
  • All accommodation requests are taken seriously. No person will be penalized for making an accommodation request.
  • This policy applies to all locations in Ontario.

Sphere Manufacturing Group believes that the successful recovery of injured employees depends on early intervention and assistance with rehabilitation and return to work process. The Return-to-Work program is included in the Health and Safety section of Sphere Manufacturing Group’s Statement of Policy and Procedure. This policy addresses the following:

  • The entitlement of an employee who sustains a work-related or non-work-related injury or illness to be re-employed by Sphere Manufacturing Group (Sphere) in accordance with the Workplace Safety and Insurance Act, 1997.
  • The receipt of a completed Functional Abilities Form from an injured employee or his or her Physician.
  • The employee’s ability to perform the essential duties of his or her pre-injury job and whether any accommodation or modified duties may be necessary.
  • Whether suitable alternate work is available for the employee.
  • Whether other employment is available for the employee.

Training

Sphere Manufacturing Group delivers harassment prevention training to all incoming employees through the Harassment Made Simple Prevention Course by TrainingABC. This course covers topics such as conduct and behaviour standards, complaint procedures, and how to resolve employee concerns.

Design of Public Spaces

Sphere Manufacturing group has implemented multiple initiatives to maintain an accessible work environment. This includes but is not limited to providing:

  • Desktop/laptop risers
  • Ergonomic mouses
  • Dual monitors
  • Adjustable desk height
  • Narrator navigation
  • Screen reader application
  • Text enlargement
  • Display brightness settings
  • Colour contrast settings.
  • Multiple accessible washrooms
  • Multiple alternative accessible meeting spaces
  • Common spaces and walkways are kept clear and accessible
  • Accessible parking spaces

 

Section 2. Strategies and Actions

Information and Communication

Sphere Manufacturing Group is committed to making our information and communications accessible to people with disabilities. This will be implemented by:

  • Developing an AODA compliant company website.
  • Reviewing and ensuring aspects of Sphere Manufacturing Group’s website includes applications such as alt text for images, keyboard navigation, and screen enlargement applications.
  • Improving transparency by placing our accessibility practices on the company website.

Employment

Sphere Manufacturing Group will implement accessible practices to support employees by providing assistive technology when requested. Inclusive to assistive technologies currently provided, Sphere Manufacturing will:

  • use closed captioning when conducting a virtual team meeting and when displaying videos
  • Read information to the employee directly or provide information to the employee in writing.
  • Ensure all company documents are placed in an accessible format for screen-reader users.

Training

Sphere Manufacturing Group is committed to training all employees on the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act.

  • Sphere Manufacturing Group will provide AODA online training to all incoming employees in a timely manner through Access Forward during the employee orientation process.
  • All employees will complete the Customer Service Standard and General Requirement modules on Access Forward
  • The Human Resources dept. will complete the Employment Standard module on Access Forward.

Design of Public Spaces

Sphere Manufacturing Group will meet accessibility laws when building or making major changes to public spaces. In addition to implementing procedures to prevent service disruptions to the accessible parts of our public spaces. The planned initiatives are:

  • Automatic doors on all building entrances and accessible washroom facilities.
  • Push to open/lock buttons will be placed in all accessible washroom facilities.
  • Braille signage can be placed on the exterior of the accessible washrooms and building doorways.
  • All walkways and isles remain clear and open to a minimum width of 1,000mm.
  • Establish a routine practice of pushing in chairs after meetings so that common spaces remain accessible.
  • Reserve seats at the front of meetings for employees who may be hard of hearing or visually impaired.
  • When requested, meeting minutes will be distributed in an accessible format to employees.

Five Year Plan

Year 1

  • Provide assistive technology and ergonomic support upon request
  • Provide accessibility accommodations upon request

Year 2

  • February 1st, 2021: Update and distribute revised company policy of Accommodation on the Basis of Disability to all incoming employees
  • February 1st, 2021: AODA policy training during employee orientation
  • March 1st, 2021: Place Sphere Manufacturing Group’s commitment to providing accessibility accommodations upon request on all job postings
  • November 24th, 2021: AODA Compliant Website
  • December 15th, 2021: Place our commitment to accessibility on the company website.

Year 3

  • January 1st, 2022: Provide AODA online training through Access Forward to all incoming employees and members of the HR dept.
  • February 1st, 2022: Use closed captioning during virtual team meetings and when displaying videos
  • February 1st, 2022: Reserve seats at the front of meetings for employees who may be hard of hearing or visually impaired.
  • February 1st, 2022: Pushing in chairs after meetings so that common spaces remain accessible.
  • February 1st, 2022: Read information to the employee directly or provide information to the employee in writing
  • May 1st, 2022: When requested, meeting minutes will be distributed in an accessible format to employees.

Year 4

  • March 1st, 2023: All company documents are created in an accessible format for screen-reader users
  • August 1st, 2023: All divisions of Sphere Manufacturing Group have addressed any accessibility issues and are included in the five year plan.

Year 5

  • April 1st, 2024: Braille signage can be placed on the exterior of the accessible washrooms and building doorways.
  • July 1st, 2024: Push to lock buttons in accessible washrooms
  • August 1st, 2024: Automatic button on front entrance door and washroom facilities

 

Section 3. Additional Policies

Please click here to download our policy on Accommodation on the Basis of Disability.

Please click here to download our policy on Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities.

 

For more information on these accessibility plans, or for standard and accessible formats of these documents, please contact: Daniela Sartori | 519-502-0309 | dsartori@spheremanufacturing.ca