It is the goal of University of Toronto Press (UTP) to carry out its business activities in a manner that is welcoming and inclusive of all people with whom we have contact, and to foster a climate of mutual understanding and respect for the dignity of all persons. Through its commitment to identifying and removing barriers to accessibility, UTP works to facilitate access to goods, services, and opportunities in a manner that will enable individuals with disabilities to share the same level of access as other members of our community.
ALTERNATE FORMAT REQUESTS
Please visit here for information on alternate format requests at UTP.
FEEDBACK OR QUESTIONS
UTP welcomes questions and feedback from individuals about the accessibility of content on our websites or to tell us how we are doing to provide goods or services to people with disabilities. Feedback is welcome at any time through the following approaches:
By email: hr@utpress.utoronto.ca
By telephone: 416-978-2239, ext. 2255
By letter:
Vice President, Human Resources
University of Toronto Press
800 Bay Street, Mezzanine
Toronto, ON, Canada, M5S 3A9
All feedback will be directed to the Vice President, Human Resources.
UTP’S CUSTOMER SERVICE COMMITMENT: PROVIDING GOODS AND SERVICES TO PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES
UTP is committed to excellence in its service to all customers including people with disabilities. As part of this commitment, UTP will strive at all times to deliver its goods and services in a manner that respects the dignity and independence of people with disabilities, treats all people with inclusiveness, and promotes and maintains human rights.
PROVIDING GOODS AND SERVICES TO PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES
UTP will fulfil this commitment by carrying out our service-related functions and activities to support the needs of people with disabilities through the following measures:
- Communication
We will communicate with people with disabilities in ways that take into account their disability. We will notify customers of our commitment and practices related to this policy through a notice posted on our premises and on our website. - Assistive devices
We are committed to serving people with disabilities who use assistive devices to obtain, use, or benefit from our goods and services. We will ensure that our staff is trained and familiar with various assistive devices that may be used by customers with disabilities while accessing our goods or services. - Service animals
We welcome people with disabilities and their service animals. Service animals are allowed on the parts of our premises that are open to the public and other third parties. - Support persons
A person with a disability who is accompanied by a support person will be allowed to have that person accompany them on our premises. Fees will not be charged for support persons to be present on our premises. - Notice of temporary disruption
In the event of a planned or unexpected disruption to services or facilities such as elevators, pathways, or ramps usually used by customers with disabilities, UTP will notify customers promptly. The notice will be placed at all public entrances at the affected location, and in a visible location close to the services and facilities affected. It will include information about the reason for the disruption, its anticipated length of time, and a description of alternative facilities or services, if available. - Training for staff
UTP will provide training to employees who deal with the public or other third parties on their behalf. In addition, all employees will receive an overview of AODA legislation, including requirements for accessibility standards that apply to public and private sectors. Employees and leaders will review customer service standards for those with disabilities, different types of disabilities, and various ways to assist and provide aid to those with certain types of disabilities. Training will also explore ways to improve customer service principles and skills by examining ways to lessen barriers for those with disabilities.- Individuals in the following positions will be trained: All Retail Division managers and employees working in publicly accessible areas or potentially providing service by telephone, and managers and customer service staff of other divisions who deal with the public. This training will be provided to staff within one month of hire. Employees will also be trained or informed when changes are made to UTP’s plan. Training will include:
- An overview of the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act, 2005, the requirements of the customer service standard, and this plan.
- How to interact and communicate with people with various types of disabilities.
- How to interact with people with disabilities who use an assistive device or require the assistance of a service animal or a support person.
- How to use any assistive devices available on the premises.
- What to do if a person with a disability is having difficulty in accessing University of Toronto Press goods and services.
- Individuals in the following positions will be trained: All Retail Division managers and employees working in publicly accessible areas or potentially providing service by telephone, and managers and customer service staff of other divisions who deal with the public. This training will be provided to staff within one month of hire. Employees will also be trained or informed when changes are made to UTP’s plan. Training will include:
MODIFICATIONS TO THIS OR OTHER POLICIES
Any policy of UTP that does not respect and promote the dignity and independence of people with disabilities will be modified or removed.
UNIVERSITY OF TORONTO PRESS MULTI-YEAR ACCESSIBILITY PLAN TO PREVENT AND REMOVE BARRIERS TO ACCESSIBILITY
UTP is working towards full compliance with AODA targets relating to accessibility and the prevention and removal of barriers to accessibility. The compliance timelines used in the development of this plan relate to UTP as a not-for-profit sector organization employing more than 50 employees. Our plans and programs will be reviewed and updated at least every five years.
Completed:
- Customer Service Policy and Accessibility Standard, Statement of Commitment, identification of barriers, preparedness to provide accommodations relevant to persons with disabilities wanting to access our products or services, training of service staff and managers (on implementation and ongoing), posting of relevant documents on website and in stores, identification of contact to address concerns to, and reporting of compliance.
- All staff trained on AODA in relation to the Ontario Human Rights Code (implemented June 2014).
- Feedback processes established. UTP welcomes feedback through email, by telephone, and letter, as indicated.
- Through our website, UTP provides links to free downloadable accessibility software. Type size in the site can also be adjusted using “Control” key functionality.
- Accessible formats and communication supports: we provide supports that take into account the person’s accessibility needs at a cost not exceeding the regular cost charged to other persons, and will consult with the person making the request about the suitability of the format (the final determination of what support will be provided is UTP’s).
- As UTP is a “producer of educational or training material,” we make accessible conversion-ready versions of textbooks and other materials available upon request, in addition to partnering with Bookshare to provide accessible formats of the majority of our titles.
- Employment-related accessibility standards were implemented prior to the 1 January 2016 deadline. These include practices that relate to the recruitment, selection, and hiring process, and informing employees of policies, accessible formats and supports, and a return to work program. (This will be similar to the Early and Safe Return to Work Program that is already in use to assist with the return of staff who have had a workplace accident.) Through our Performance Planning and Review (PPR) program, we will take into account the accessibility needs of disabled employees. We will also be able to provide a detailed individual accommodation plan for a disabled employee when needed. Any future programs designed to assist with career development and advancement will also take into account individual accessibility needs and accommodation plans.
- Our websites and web content conform with the World Wide Web Consortium Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) 2.0 to Level AA as required at 1 January 2021.
- As a not-for-profit sector organization with more than 50 employees, UTP files an accessibility compliance report every three years.
ACCESSIBILITY TOOLS AND RESOURCES
Links to free downloadable accessibility solutions:
http://www.essentialaccessibility.com/
http://www.adobe.com/accessibility/products/reader.html
In addition, the “Control” or “Ctrl” key on your keyboard can be used with the scroll wheel on your mouse, or the plus (+) and minus (-) keys as follows: Hold down Ctrl while tapping + to enlarge the onscreen type and images, Ctrl - to reduce, and Ctrl 0 (zero) to return to the default size. Alternatively, hold down the Ctrl key while rolling the wheel on the mouse forward or back to enlarge or reduce type and images.