The Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act, 2005 (“AODA”) was created to ensure that all persons with disabilities are treated with respect, dignity and equally by providers of goods and services. AODA provides that all persons or organizations that provide goods or services to the public must do so in accordance with AODA and Ontario Regulation 191/11 Integrated Accessibility Standards (the “Accessibility Standard”).


MERIX is committed to ensuring full compliance with AODA and the Accessibility Standard.

MERIX strives to provide its services in a manner that respects the dignity and independence of people with disabilities. MERIX is committed to giving people with disabilities the same opportunity as others to access and benefit from its services.

The purpose of this policy is to ensure that MERIX’s business is accessible to persons with disabilities by identifying, removing, and preventing barriers that might interfere with their ability to make use of MERIX’s services and facilities.

MERIX will use reasonable efforts to ensure that its policies, practices, and procedures are consistent with the following principles:

• That MERIX’s services are provided in a manner that respects the dignity and independence of persons with disabilities;
• That MERIX operates its business such that persons with disabilities will benefit from its services in the same or similarly way as others, and that where integration is not possible, alternative measures will be used to enable a persons with disabilities to obtain, use or benefit from MERIX’s services; and
• That persons with disabilities are given an opportunity equal to that given to others to obtain, use or benefit from MERIX’s services.

Notice of Temporary Disruptions in Services of Facilities

MERIX is aware that the operation of its services and facilities is important to our customers. On occasion, disruptions in MERIX’s services and facilities may occur due to reasons that may or may not be within MERIX’s control or knowledge.

MERIX will make reasonable efforts to provide notice to the public of any disruption in its services and/or facilities, including: information about the reason for the disruption, its anticipated duration and a description of alternative services and/or facilities, if any that may be available. MERIX will make reasonable efforts to provide prior notice of any planned disruptions in its services and/or facilities, if possible, recognizing that in some circumstances, including an unplanned temporary disruption, advance notice will not be possible. In such cases, MERIX will provide notice as soon as reasonably possible.

When temporary disruptions occur to MERIX’s services and/or facilities, MERIX will provide notice by posting the information in visible places, or on the company’s website (www.merixfinancial.com), or by any other method that may be reasonable under the circumstances as soon as reasonably possible.

Assisted Devices and Measures that Assist with Accessibility

A person with a disability may provide their own assistive device for the purpose of obtaining, using and benefiting from MERIX’s services and facilities. Exceptions may occur in situations where MERIX has determined that the assistive device may pose a risk to the health and safety of a person with a disability or the health and safety of others on its premises In these situations and others, MERIX may offer a person with disability other reasonable measures to assist him or her in obtaining, using and benefiting from MERIX’s services and facilities, where MERIX has such other measures available.

It is the responsibility of the person with the disability to ensure that his or her assistive device is operated in a safe and controlled manner at all times.

Use of Service Animals and Support Persons

Service Animals
A person with a disability may enter premises owned and/or operated by MERIX accompanied by a service animal and keep the animal with them if the public has access to such premises and the animal is not otherwise excluded by law. If a service animal is excluded by law, MERIX will ensure that alternate means are available to enable the person with a disability to obtain, use or benefit from MERIX’s services and facilities.

If it is not readily apparent that an animal is a service animal, MERIX may ask the person with a disability for a letter from a physician or nurse confirming that the person requires the animal for reasons relating to his or her disability. MERIX may also, or instead, ask for a valid identification card or certificate of training from a recognized guide dog or service animal training school.

It is the responsibility of the person with disability to ensure that his or her service animal is kept in control at all times. If an employee or any other person on MERIX premises has a severe allergy to animals, which could result in health and safety concerns, MERIX will make reasonable efforts in the circumstances to meet the needs of all individuals.

Support Persons
A person with a disability may enter premises owned and/or operated by MERIX with a support person and have access to the support person while on the premises. MERIX may require a person with disability to be accompanied by a support person while on MERIX premises in situations where it is necessary to protect the health or safety of the person with a disability or the health and safety of others on the premises. A person with a disability who is accompanied by a support person will have access to his or her support person while on MERIX premises.

In situations where the support person will be exposed to confidential information, MERIX may require that the support person sign a confidentiality agreement.

Availability of Documents for Customer Service Standard

All documents required by the Accessibility Standards for Customer Service Regulation, including this policy, are available upon request by any customer.

When providing a document to a person with a disability, MERIX will provide the document, or the information contained in the document, in a format that properly takes the person’s disability into account.

All documents required by the Accessibility Standards for Customer Service Regulation, including this policy, will be posted on MERIX’s website (www.merixfinancial.com).

Training

MERIX will provide training to its employees, agents, volunteers, and to every other person who deals with members of the public or other third parties on MERIX’s behalf (“MERIX Staff”), about the provision of MERIX’s services to persons with disabilities.

Training will include:

• The purpose and application of this policy;
• A review of the purposes and requirements of the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act;
• A review of the purposes of the purposes and requirements of the Accessibility Standards for Customer Service Regulation;
• How to interact and communicate with persons with various types of disabilities;
• What to do if a person with a disability is having difficulty accessing MERIX’s services and/or facilities;
• Instruction on MERIX’s policies, procedures and practices pertaining to the provision of services to persons with disabilities;
• How to use equipment or devices available on MERIX’s premises, or that is otherwise provided by MERIX, to assist with the provision of MERIX’s services to persons with disabilities; and
• How to interact with persons with disabilities who use assistive devices or who require the assistance of a support person or service animal.

Training will be provided as soon as practicable to current and new MERIX Staff members and whenever changes are made to MERIX’s policies, procedures and practices governing the provision of its services to persons with disabilities.

MERIX will maintain records of all training conducted pursuant to this policy. These records will include the number of individuals trained and the dates on which the training occurred.

Feedback

MERIX is committed to providing high quality services to all members of the public it serves. Feedback from the public is appreciated as it may identify areas that require change and encourage continuous service improvements, including improvements in the manner in which MERIX provides services to persons with disabilities.

Feedback is welcomed and appreciated. Anyone wishing to provide feedback on the manner in which MERIX provides goods and services to persons with disabilities may do so by telephone, email, or regular mail (including feedback in writing, on disc or otherwise) as follows:

MERIX Financial
Attention: Chief Compliance Officer
200 King Street West, Suite 400
Toronto, Ontario MH5 3T4

Phone: (416) 366-8606 ext. 2321

Email: accessibility@merixfinancial.com.

We can arrange for accessible feedback and alternate formats upon request.

Any complaints with respect to this policy will be handled in accordance with MCAP’s current complaint management procedures.

This policy, which has been established in compliance with Regulation 191/11, “Integrated Accessibility Standards” (“Regulation”) under the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act, 2005, aligns with MERIX’s commitment to treat all employees in a way that respects their dignity and independence. This policy will be implemented in accordance with the time frames established by the Regulation.

MERIX strives to provide its services in a manner that respects the dignity and independence of people with disabilities. MERIX is committed to giving people with disabilities the same opportunity as others to access and benefit from its services. MERIX believes in integration and equal opportunity. We are committed to meeting the needs of persons with disabilities in a timely manner and will do so by preventing and removing barriers to accessibility and meeting accessibility requirements in accordance with the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act.

Accessibility Plan

MERIX will develop, maintain and document an Accessibility Plan outlining the company’s strategy to prevent and remove barriers from its workplace and to improve opportunities for persons with disabilities.

The Accessibility Plan will be reviewed and updated at least once every five years and will be posted on the company’s internal and external websites. Upon request, MERIX will provide a copy of the Accessibility Plan in an accessible format.

Training

MERIX will ensure that training is provided to its employees, agents, volunteers and to every other person who deals with members of the public or other third parties on MERIX’s behalf on the requirements of the accessibility standards referred to in the Regulation and continue to provide training on the Human Rights Code as it pertains to persons with disabilities.

The training will be provided as soon as practicable to current and new MERIX Staff members and whenever changes are made to MERIX’s policies, procedures and practices governing the provision of its services to persons with disabilities. MERIX will keep a record of the training it provides.

Information and Communications Standards

Feedback, Accessible Formats & Communication Supports

MERIX is committed to providing accessible information in an ongoing effort to make services available to customers, clients and employees of MERIX. The purpose of this policy is to ensure that every reasonable effort is made to provide materials in alternate formats, upon request. MERIX will make every effort to provide materials in an accessible format upon request. If materials are not able to be converted to an accessible format, MERIX will provide details of the reasoning behind why the material cannot be converted. In this case, MERIX will provide a summary of the requested information or communications in a format that is suitable for the person with a disability.

Accessible Websites & Web Content

MERIX will continue to make its website and web content conform to the World Wide Consortium Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) 2.0, initially at Level A by January 1st, 2014 and increasing to Level AA by January 1st, 2021. MERIX’s internet and intranet websites, technology solutions, communication materials, telephone communications and in-person interactions will be based on accessibility best practices.

Employment

Recruitment – General

MERIX is committed to removing barriers and meeting the accommodation needs of persons with disabilities to create a workplace that provides equal employment opportunities and employment practices throughout all stages of the employment life cycle.

Recruitment, Assessment or Selection Process

When recruiting, MERIX will provide reasonable accommodations for applicants with disabilities. Candidates will be notified during the recruitment process that an accommodation can be provided upon request.

If a selected job applicant requests an accommodation, MERIX will consult with the applicant and provide suitable accommodation that takes the person’s accessibility needs into account.

Notice to Successful Job Applicants and Employees About Accommodations

MERIX will make available to all employees the policies in place to support persons with disabilities within a reasonable amount of time. Employees will be notified regarding any changes to these documents.

This information will be posted on MERIX’s internal and external website. Upon request, this information will also be provided in an alternate format which will take an employee’s accessibility needs into account.

Informing Employees of Supports

MERIX will continue to inform its employees of its policies, and of any change to its policies, which are used to support employees with disabilities, including policies on the provision of job accommodations that take into account accessibility needs. This information will be provided to new employees as soon as is practicable after commencing employment.

Accessible Formats & Communication Supports for Employees

Upon the request of an employee with a disability, MERIX will consult with the employee in order to provide, or arrange for the provision of, accessible formats and communication supports for information that is needed to perform the employee’s job and for information that is generally available to other employees. MERIX will also consult with the employee making the request in determining the suitability of an accessible format or communication support.

Workplace Emergency Response Information

MERIX will develop individualized emergency response information to employees who have a disability and will provide the plan in an accessible format (if the disability is such that the individualized information is necessary and MERIX is aware of the need for an accommodation). In addition, this information will be provided, with the employee’s consent, to any person the employee designates as a support person. Individualized emergency response information will be provided as soon as is possible.

MERIX reviews individualized workplace emergency response information when:

• The employee moves to a different location in the organization;
• The employee’s overall accommodations needs or plans are reviewed; or
• MERIX reviews its general emergency response policies.

Please refer to Emergency Response Planning for Employees with Disabilities Policy.

Documented Individual Accommodation Plans

For employees who require accommodations, an Individual Accommodation Plan will be developed. The Individual Accommodation Plan will involve a collaborative effort between the employee, their manager and Human Resources.

Return to Work Process

Employees who require accommodations upon their return to work from a medical or disability leave, will notify our third-party adjudication providers of their restrictions and limitations. Human Resources will be advised of the accommodations required and will make necessary adjustments so that the accommodation can be supported. Human Resources will update the return to work plan as changes to the employee’s functional status become available.

Performance Management, Career Development and Advancement and Redeployment

MERIX will take accessibility needs and individual accommodation plans into consideration for employees with disabilities, as well as individual accommodation plans when conducting performance management, providing career development and advancement to employees, or when redeploying employees.

Transportation

MERIX is committed to meeting all legislated accessibility requirements. Currently, this IAS does not apply to our core business or strategic direction; however, this IAS will be monitored to ensure future compliance.

Built Environment Standard

Exterior Paths of Travel, Service Counters and Waiting Areas

Currently this Integrated Accessibility Standards Regulation (IASR) does not apply to our core business or strategic direction; however, MERIX will ensure that, from January 1, 2017, any exterior paths of travel that it constructs or redevelops, any newly constructed service counters or waiting areas and any redeveloped waiting areas meet the built requirements as contemplated in the IAS.

MERIX will ensure that contractors performing such construction or redevelopment adhere to these requirements. MERIX will ensure that any newly constructed or re-developed service counters should and will have sufficient height (between 680-865 mm) and depth at least 250 mm deep below the service counter to allow people who use wheelchairs from a seated position to approach and use the counter.

Maintenance of Accessible Elements

MERIX will, from January 1, 2017, conduct preventative and emergency maintenance of the accessible parts of the above mentioned exterior paths of travel, service counters and waiting areas and will also remediate temporary disruptions where the accessible parts of the above-mentioned exterior paths of travel, service counters and waiting areas are not in working order, as contemplated in the IAS.

MERIX will ensure that contractors performing such maintenance and remediation adhere to these requirements.

Feedback, Accessible Formats & Communication Supports

MERIX is committed to providing accessible information in an ongoing effort to make services available to customers, clients, and employees of MERIX. The purpose of this policy is to ensure that every reasonable effort is made to provide materials in alternate formats, upon request. MERIX will make every effort to provide materials in an accessible format upon request. If materials are not able to be converted to an accessible format, MERIX will provide details of the reasoning behind why the material cannot be converted. In this case, MERIX will provide a summary of the requested information or communications in a format that is suitable for the person with a disability.

Accessible Websites & Web Content

MERIX will continue to make its website and web content conform to the World Wide Consortium Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) 2.0, initially at Level A by January 1st, 2014 and increasing to Level AA by January 1st, 2021. MERIX’s internet and intranet websites, technology solutions, communication materials, telephone communications and in-person interactions will be based on accessibility best practices.

MERIX is committed to meeting all legislated accessibility requirements. Currently, this IAS does not apply to our core business or strategic direction; however, this IAS will be monitored to ensure future compliance.

Exterior Paths of Travel, Service Counters and Waiting Areas

Currently this Integrated Accessibility Standards Regulation (IASR) does not apply to our core business or strategic direction; however, MERIX will ensure that, from January 1, 2017, any exterior paths of travel that it constructs or redevelops, any newly constructed service counters or waiting areas and any redeveloped waiting areas meet the built requirements as contemplated in the IAS. MERIX will ensure that contractors performing such construction or redevelopment adhere to these requirements. MERIX will ensure that any newly constructed or re-developed service counters should and will have sufficient height (between 680-865 mm) and depth at least 250 mm deep below the service counter to allow people who use wheelchairs from a seated position to approach and use the counter.

Maintenance of Accessible Elements

MERIX will, from January 1, 2017, conduct preventative and emergency maintenance of the accessible parts of the above mentioned exterior paths of travel, service counters and waiting areas and will also remediate temporary disruptions where the accessible parts of the above-mentioned exterior paths of travel, service counters and waiting areas are not in working order, as contemplated in the IAS. MERIX will ensure that contractors performing such maintenance and remediation adhere to these requirements.

In 2005, the government of Ontario passed the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA). The goal of the AODA is to remove barriers and make Ontario an accessible province for persons with disabilities. To help public, private and not-for-profit organizations identify, prevent and remove barriers to accessibility, the AODA sets out specific accessibility standards in five areas:

• Customer Service
• Information and Communications
• Employment
• Transportation
• Built Environment Standard

The accessibility standard for customer service has been implemented by MERIX, resulting in a training program for our employees to ensure the delivery of products and services to persons with disabilities that are consistent with the principles of dignity, independence, integration and equal opportunity.

The Information and Communications, Employment, and Transportation standards have now been enacted as Ontario Regulation 191/11: The Integrated Accessibility Standards. These standards are to be phased in over time, using a multi-year accessibility plan. The standard for the Built Environment Standard as it applies to facilities is still in development.

Commitment to Accessibility

MERIX supports the intent of the AODA and its goal of achieving accessibility for Ontarians with disabilities with respect to goods, services, facilities, accommodations, employment, buildings, structures and premises by January 1, 2025.

MERIX is committed to achieving accessibility and is responsible to ensure the goals of our multi-year accessibility plan are achieved. The multi-year accessibility plan is our framework to identify and eliminate barriers for persons with disabilities and support the AODA requirements and initiatives. The plan will be reviewed every five years and updated as MERIX achieves the requirements of the plan.

To obtain this information in an alternate format, please contact (416) 366-8606 ext. 2321 or email: accessibility@merixfinancial.com.

Accessibilities for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA), 2005 – Ontario Regulation 191/11, Integrated Accessibility Standards

The multi-year accessibility plan is a road map that illustrates how MERIX plans to make its commitments to accessibility a reality; meet all requirements under the IAS; and remove and prevent any additional barriers to accessibility at MERIX.

See the Plan