Accessibility Policy

Statement of Commitment

Friedmans is committed to meeting its current and ongoing obligations under the Ontario Human Rights Code and understands that obligations under the AODA and its accessibility standards do not substitute or limit its obligations under the Ontario Human Rights Code or obligations to people with disabilities under any other law.

Accessible Standards for Customer Service

Friedmans is committed to providing services to our clients and employees with disabilities with service policies that are consistent with the principles of independence, dignity, integration and equality of opportunity for people with disabilities.

Training

Friedmans is committed to training all staff and volunteers in accessible service, Ontario’s accessibility standards and aspects of the Ontario Human Rights Code that relate to persons with disabilities.

In general terms, such training will include the following components:

An overview of this policy, and any other practices or procedures developed by Friedmans with respect to the provision of services to individuals with disabilities;

Information regarding how to interact with people with disabilities including interaction with individuals who use assistive devices, support animals and/or support persons;

Purpose of the AODA;

Instructions on what to do if an individual with a disability is having difficulty accessing Friedman’s services.

Training is provided as part of the new hire onboarding process or as soon as practicable thereafter.Additional training will be provided in the event of changes to practices or legislation.

Service Animals

Friedmans welcomes individuals with disabilities and their service animals. Service animals are allowed on the parts of our premises that are open to the public and third parties, in accordance with the applicable laws.

Support Persons

Clients and other people with a disability who are accompanied by a support person will be allowed to have that person accompany them on our premises. Appropriate steps will be taken to address privilege and confidentiality issues raised by the presence of a support person; such steps will be determined on a case-by-case basis, taking into account the needs of the client representative and client.

Assistive Devices

Clients and other people with a disability may use their own assistive equipment to access Friedmans services. To the extent necessary, Friedmans will train and familiarize our staff with various assistive devices that individuals may use when accessing our services, as well as any assistive devices made available by Friedmans.

Notice of Temporary Disruption

In the event of a planned or unanticipated material disruption to services or facilities that persons with disabilities may use to access services, Friedmans will notify clients promptly. The notification will inform individuals about the cause of the interruption, its expected length, and a description of alternative services or facilities that are available, if any.

Information and Communication

Friedmans will communicate with individuals with disabilities in a manner that takes into account their disabilities. Our lawyers and employees communicate with clients, client representatives, and others in a number of methods, including in-person contacts, letters, phone conversations, and internet communication platforms. We shall consider accessibility needs resulting from disability when choosing the best manner and form of communication. Clients, client representatives, and anyone who communicates and interacts with Friedmans are urged to identify accessibility concerns. On request, all publicly available information should be delivered in an accessible format in a timely way at a cost no more than the ordinary cost paid to other individuals.

Employment

Friedmans is committed to equitable and accessible hiring processes. Friedmans shall take steps to inform the general public and employees that, if asked, Friedmans will accommodate people with disabilities during the recruitment and assessment processes, as well as when people are hired. When adopting performance management systems or offering career development or advancement opportunities, Friedmans will take into account the accessibility needs of company members with disabilities.

Friedmans has a return-to-work policy for firm members who have been absent due to a disability and require disability-related accommodations to return to work.

Design of Public Spaces

Friedmans will meet AODA requirements with respect to the design of public spaces when building or making changes to public spaces including waiting areas, publicly accessible meeting rooms and reception.

Kiosks

Friedmans does not keep kiosks. Compliance with accessibility regulations will be handled to the degree that kiosks are used in service delivery.

Accessible Emergency Information

Friedmans is committed to delivering publicly available emergency information in an accessible format to its clients upon request. When appropriate, we will also offer firm members with disabilities personalized emergency response information.

Website

Friedmans has taken steps to guarantee that all websites under its control, as well as content published on those websites, comply with WCAG 2.0 Level AA guidelines, as required by AODA.

Feedback Process

Friedmans is dedicated to enhancing client service by listening and responding to client feedback. Clients, client representatives, third parties, and company personnel are encouraged to submit feedback on how Friedmans serves people with disabilities.

Feedback can be sent to:

Friedmans LLP

150 Ferrand Drive, Suite 800, Toronto, ON M3C 3E5

(416) 496-3340 | info@friedmans.ca

Individuals can normally expect a response or preliminary reaction to their feedback from Friedmans within 15 business days of receipt, if the nature of the feedback necessitates a response.

Copies

Upon request, Friedmans can provide a copy of this policy to individuals in an accessible format if necessary.