Table of Contents
- Message from Vac Aero
- Vac Aero Statement of Commitment to Accessibility
- AODA Compliance Achievements
- Accessibility Achievements Beyond AODA Compliance
- Measures to Identify, Remove, and Prevent Barriers
- Identifying Barriers
- Removing and Preventing Barriers
- Communication of the Plan
- Contact Us
Message from Vac Aero
Vac Aero is a global innovative materials solutions provider. For over 60 years, we have been introducing and providing many of the leading material processes and applications for our industry. This has enabled Vac Aero to become successful as a preferred international equipment supplier, industry partner, and subcontractor.
We are proud of proactive, goal-oriented, teamwork approach to shaping and serving our industry. Building solid relationships and providing excellent customer service has helped us continue to succeed and grow. We are also proud of our commitment to improving accessibility and inclusion throughout our organization by identifying, removing, and preventing barriers for people with disabilities.
As part of our commitment to increasing accessibility at Vac Aero, we have prepared this Multi-year Accessibility Plan that will serve as a roadmap for employees to work towards becoming a more accessible and inclusive organization.
This Plan has been reviewed and approved by members of the Vac Aero leadership team. We commit to reviewing the Plan annually and to using it as a resource to help us comply with Ontario’s accessibility laws and to meet our own ongoing accessibility commitments and goals.
Dave Farmery
President and COO
Vac Aero
Vac Aero Statement of Commitment to Accessibility
Vac Aero International Inc. (“Vac Aero”) is committed to creating an inclusive and welcoming environment for everyone. We seek to ensure accessibility for all employees, vendors, and visitors who use our goods, services, information, or facilities. We are committed to meeting the requirements of the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act, 2005 (AODA), the Ontario Human Rights Code, and all applicable legislation that seeks to prevent discrimination. Vac Aero is committed to treating all people in a way that respects the dignity and independence of others. We continue to work towards integration and equal opportunity by identifying, removing, and preventing barriers to accessibility at Vac Aero.
AODA Compliance Achievements
Vac Aero is committed to meeting all Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act, 2005 (AODA) compliance requirements and deadlines of a large (50+ employees) business or non-profit organization. This includes filing AODA accessibility compliance reports by the AODA deadlines applicable to the Company.
To review the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act, 2005, go to Government of Ontario online laws at https://www.ontario.ca/laws/statute/05a11.
Category |
AODA Requirement |
Compliance Status as of December 2023 |
|---|---|---|
| Employee Training | Provide accessible AODA and role-specific accessibility training, including training on Vac Aero accessibility policies and procedures
Maintain a written record of training provided |
Partially compliant, with updated training being provided to current and new employees throughout 2024 and ongoing |
| Customer Service Feedback | Provide accessible options for people to provide feedback and an accompanying accessibility feedback process | Compliant |
| Emergency Information | Provide accessible emergency and public safety information
Provide accessible emergency information to staff |
Compliant |
| Transportation | Provide accessible transportation services | Not Applicable –
Vac Aero does not provide or manage transportation services |
| Accessibility Policies | Create an accessibility policy
Make the accessibility policy public |
Compliant |
| Accessibility Plan | Create a multi-year accessibility plan to help achieve accessibility goals
Make the multi-year accessibility plan public |
Compliant |
| Self-service Kiosks | Include accessibility features when purchasing or designing self-service kiosks – including any interactive electronic terminals that people use to access information | Not Applicable –
Vac Aero does not provide or manage any self-service kiosks |
| Accessible Websites | Ensure public websites that Vac Aero controls or manages meet or exceed WCAG 2.0 AA guidelines | Compliant |
| Employment Practices | Make employment practices accessible, including how the organization hires, retains, and provides career development opportunities | Compliant |
| Individual Accommodation and Return-to-work Plans | Document processes for developing individual accommodation plans and return-to-work plans | Compliant |
| Public Information | Make public information accessible when requested | Compliant |
| Development of Public Spaces | Make new or redeveloped public spaces accessible | Compliant |
| Accessibility Reports | File accessibility reports based on stated deadlines in the AODA | Compliant |
Accessibility Achievements Beyond AODA Compliance
In addition to meeting its AODA compliance requirements, Vac Aero continues to engage in activities to work towards increasing accessibility and inclusion. Recent achievements include the following:
- Consultation with an external organization, AIM for Inclusion, to review its AODA compliance status and to update or create accessibility documentation, including Vac Aero policies, procedures, and plans related to accessibility;
- Ongoing replacement of Company administration workstations with ergonomic workstations that can be customized to meet individual needs (for example, adjustable-height desks, ergonomic seating);
- Reviewing on-site accessibility to identify barriers and ensuring plans are in place to renovate washrooms, changing rooms, and dining areas to increase accessibility (for example, providing additional seating options, ensuring clear and unobstructed pathways, installing improved lighting options); and
- Actively offering and providing workplace information and announcements in multiple formats (for example, large print, audio, remote and in-person meetings).
Measures to Identify, Remove, and Prevent Barriers
Those responsible for accessibility actions and initiatives within Vac Aero use various measures to identify, remove, and prevent accessibility barriers.
Identifying Barriers
In order to meet or exceed AODA compliance requirements, Vac Aero is committed to responding to employee, customer, and community feedback in identifying priorities to increase accessibility and inclusion.
Removing and Preventing Barriers
Vac Aero management and staff have identified the following goals and actions to remove and prevent accessibility barriers at the Company over the coming years. Key Vac Aero contacts, identified as Action Owners in the tables below, are responsible for ensuring that AODA compliance requirements and Company-identified accessibility goals and initiatives are carried out as per legislative and Company-identified deadlines.
Policies, Procedures, and Plans
Vac Aero management and staff are committed to maintaining and reviewing the Vac Aero accessibility policy and multi-year accessibility plan annually. Reviewing the documents annually will help ensure that the Company continues to work towards greater accessibility and inclusion and accomplishes its accessibility goals as planned. It also enables the Company to produce accurate and informative accessibility status reports and AODA compliance reports when required.
In addition, any Vac Aero policies that present barriers to accessibility, diversity, and inclusion will be revised to remove identified barriers.
| Accessibility Goal | Action Owner | Target Completion Date |
| Ensure that the updated Statement of Commitment to Accessibility is shared within the Company and posted on the Vac Aero website | Human Resources | March 2024 |
| Ensure that facility emergency and evacuation plans are reviewed, updated where necessary, and available in an accessible format for employees and members of the public | Human Resources | June 2024 |
| Ensure that all current and new employees are aware of additional supports available during emergency and evacuation situations | Human Resources | June 2024 (for current employees) and Ongoing (for new employees) |
| Review existing Company policies and procedures with an accessibility, diversity, equity, and inclusion lens and edit policies and procedures as needed, using plain and inclusive language and accessible format | Human Resources | Ongoing, with annual reviews for most policies |
| Develop a procurement policy and supporting resources (e.g., checklists) that incorporate accessible and inclusive purchasing guidelines, requirements, and practices | Human Resources, Purchasing Manager | September 2024 |
| Raise awareness among current and new employees about accessible services and supports at Vac Aero | Human Resources | June 2024 |
| Review the multi-year accessibility plan and status of accessibility goals annually | Human Resources | Annually |
| Update multi-year accessibility plan minimum of every five years | Human Resources | December 31, 2028 |
| File AODA compliance reports based on stated deadlines in the AODA | Human Resources | December 31, 2023 (and as required) |
Training
Vac Aero is committed to ensuring that its employees receive training on applicable accessibility and human rights laws (for example, in Ontario, training will be provided on the AODA and content in the Ontario Human Rights Code as it pertains to people with disabilities).
Training will be provided on Vac Aero accessibility policies and procedures, as soon as possible following hiring. Refresher training is provided when changes are made to applicable accessibility legislation or to Company accessibility policies and procedures.
The Company also ensures that those providing services on behalf of the Company, including sub-contractors, and those participating in development or approval of Company policies, confirm they have received accessibility training similar to Company employees.
| Accessibility Goal | Action Owner | Target Completion Date |
| Review and update current AODA and accessibility training and ensure customized content is accurate, appropriate, inclusive, accessible, effective, and role-specific; ensure supporting resources are made available and reviewed with employees | Human Resources | December 2024 |
| Review Vac Aero team roles and responsibilities to determine employees that could benefit from Mental Health First Aid Training; schedule and deliver training as needed | Human Resources, Joint Health and Safety | June 2024 |
| Provide resources on how to create accessible information and communication to all Vac Aero content creators | Human Resources | June 2024 |
| Provide updated refresher training on emergency and safety procedures for employees | Health and Safety Specialist | June 2024 |
| Train managers in incorporating accommodation request and barrier review information in day-to-day management, informal supervisor and employee discussions, and performance management tasks | Human Resources, Joint Health and Safety | September 2024 |
Customer Service
Vac Aero is committed to providing its goods and services in a way that respects the dignity and independence of persons with disabilities. The Company is also committed to ensuring that it provides persons with disabilities with integrated and equitable access to its goods and services.
| Accessibility Goal | Action Owner | Target Completion Date |
| Review and update Vac Aero’s customer feedback process and raise awareness among employees and public to gather, address, and track feedback on accessibility barriers | Human Resources | June 2024 |
Information and Communication
Vac Aero is committed to making information and communications accessible to persons with disabilities. This includes a commitment to ensuring both print and online information is accessible to employees and the public, including emergency and safety information and website content. The Company is also committed to making every effort to provide information in alternate formats requested by people with disabilities.
| Accessibility Goal | Action Owner | Target Completion Date |
| Develop and post new (clear, accessible) signage for evacuation directions and meeting points. | Marketing and Communications | June 2024 |
| Ensure that all Vac Aero content creators have access to resources on how to create information in accessible formats (e.g., accessible Word, PowerPoint, and PDF documents) | Human Resources, Marketing and Communications | March 2024 |
| Ensure that all public Vac Aero web content and social media that the Company manages or controls meets or exceeds WCAG 2.0 level AA guidelines (excluding live captioning and audio description) | Marketing and Communications | Ongoing (with content being provided in alternate formats, upon request) |
| Develop and deliver inclusive language and accessible communication training, for management and all employees | Marketing and Communications | March 2025 |
Employment
Vac Aero is committed to providing fair and accessible employment opportunities at all stages of the employment cycle. This includes ensuring accessible recruitment and selection processes, creating individualized workplace emergency response plans, and providing formal written accommodation and return to work plans.
All processes involve consultation with the employee or potential employee, when requested. The Company is also committed to informing all employees of policies and procedures that support employees with disabilities.
| Accessibility Goal | Action Owner | Target Completion Date |
| Ensure that recruitment, job offer, and onboarding material includes clear information regarding welcoming and addressing accommodation requests, as well as relevant accessible employment information Ensure the onboarding process includes a review of accessible employment information |
Human Resources | March 2024 for initial implementation, and ongoing for new job postings and new hires |
| Review and update accommodation request procedure to ensure a standardized operating procedure is in place | Human Resources | Ongoing, with annual reviews |
| Ensure that employee accessibility, organizational barriers, and accommodation requests are addressed and reviewed upon request by employees, during annual performance reviews, and when scheduled or needed to address accommodation requests | Human Resources | Ongoing, with annual reviews |
| Ensure that employees receive AODA and accessibility training in a timely manner, including information covering general AODA knowledge, relevant Ontario Human Rights Code and accessibility legislation, as well as Vac Aero accessibility and related policies required for staff to perform their roles effectively | Human Resources | Ongoing, with annual reviews |
| Ensure that all current and new employees are aware of options and supports available to develop individual emergency and evacuation support plans upon request and where needed to support accommodations | Human Resources, Joint Health and Safety | June 2024 for initial implementation, and ongoing |
| Raise awareness and encourage staff to provide feedback of all types (anonymously, if preferred); ensure feedback and questions are addressed in a timely manner (where responses are requested) | Human Resources | March 2024 for initial implementation, and ongoing |
| Post job descriptions on common internal drive for access by all staff | Human Resources | March 2024 |
Communication of the Plan
The 2024-2029 Multi-year Accessibility Plan (MYAP) will be shared with Vac Aero staff and the broader community. The MYAP will be available on the Vac Aero Accessibility page and upon request. Every effort will be made to provide the document in alternate formats upon request.
Contact Us
If you have any questions or feedback, accommodation requests, or would like to request a copy of our accessibility policies in an alternate format, contact us at:
Vac Aero International Inc.
accessibility@vacaero.com
Accessibility Feedback Form
905-827-4171, extension 320
1371 Speers Road, Oakville, ON L6L 2X5