The following policies have been established as part of Ristorante Verdicchio’s commitment to accessibility and consideration of our obligations under the Ontario Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act.

These policies apply to Ristorante Verdicchio and its affiliates.

GUEST SERVICES ACCESSIBILITY POLICY

STATEMENT OF COMMITMENT

In fulfilling its mission, Ristorante Verdicchio strives at all times to provide its goods and services in a way that respects dignity, independence, integration and equality of opportunity to all guests, including people with disabilities, in order for them to obtain, use or benefit from the goods or services we provide.

DEFINITIONS

Barrier means any anything that prevents a person with a disability from fully participating in all aspects of society because of the disability. Barriers may include physical, architectural and attitudinal barriers as well as any information or communication barriers, technological barriers or a policy, procedure or practice.

Disability means:

• Any degree of physical infirmity, malformation or disfigurement that is caused by bodily injury, birth defect or illness and, without limiting the generality of the foregoing, includes diabetes mellitus, epilepsy, a brain injury, any degree of paralysis, amputation, lack of physical coordination, blindness or visual impairment, deafness or hearing impediment, muteness or speech impediment, or physical reliance on a guide dog, or other animal or on a wheelchair or other remedial appliance or device,
• A condition of mental impairment or a developmental disability,
• A learning disability, or a dysfunction in one or more of the processes involved in understanding or using symbols or spoken language,
• A mental disorder, or
• An injury or disability for which benefits were claimed or received under the insurance plan established under the Workplace Safety and Insurance Act, 1997.

POLICY REQUIREMENTS

Information & Communication

Ristorante Verdicchio is committed to communicating to people with disabilities in a manner that takes into account the individual’s disability. Upon request, we will provide any information made to the public, in accessible alternative formats or with communication support.

Use of Guide Dogs & Service Animals

Ristorante Verdicchio is committed to welcoming people with disabilities who are accompanied by a guide dog or other service animal on the parts of our premises that are open to the public and other third parties. The individual is permitted to keep the animal with them unless excluded by law. Where a guide dog or service animal is excluded by law, we will ensure that other measures are available. We will ensure that all employees, volunteers and others dealing with the public are properly trained on how to interact with people with disabilities who are accompanied by a guide dog or service animal.

Support Persons

We are committed to welcoming people with disabilities who are accompanied by a support person. Any person with a disability who is accompanied by a support person will be allowed to enter Ristorante Verdicchio’s premises with their support person.

Use of Assistive Devices

Ristorante Verdicchio welcomes the use of assistive devices by persons with disabilities to obtain, use or benefit from our goods or services or the availability, if any, of other measures which enable them to do so.

Accessibility Training

Ristorante Verdicchio will continue its dedicated efforts to ensure that every person who deals with the public, including third parties and all those who are involved in the development and approval of guest service policies, practices and procedures are trained on the provision of goods and services to persons with disabilities. The training will include, but will not be limited to the following information:

1. Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act, 2005,
2. How to interact and communicate with persons with various types of disabilities,
3. How to interact with persons with disabilities who use an assistive device, or require the assistance of a service animal or support person,
4. How to use equipment to help people with disabilities to access goods and services, and
5. What to do if a person with a disability is having difficulty accessing Ristorante Verdicchio’s goods and services.

Training will continue to be provided to each person according to their needs and duties and as soon as possible after they are assigned to the applicable duties. Training is provided on an ongoing basis in connection with changes to policies, practices and procedures governing the provision of goods or services to persons with disabilities. A record of the dates on which training is provided and the names of the individuals to whom it is provided is kept.

Notice of Availability of Documents

Ristorante Verdicchio will provide the public with the documents relating to the Accessibility Standards for Guest Services upon request. These documents are available at www.verdicchio.ca and are also available through other methods as required.

Format of Documents

Where Ristorante Verdicchio is required by legislation to provide a copy of a public document to a person with a disability, we will take the person’s ability to access the information into account and provide the public document (or information contained in the public document) in a format that meets those needs as agreed upon with the person.

Accessible Guest Feedback Process

Ristorante Verdicchio has an extensive process designed to facilitate the collection and response to all guest feedback, including feedback regarding the provision of goods and services to people with disabilities. We strive to provide a hospitable and welcoming experience that reflects how much guests are truly appreciated.

This procedure applies to all employees, volunteers as well as anyone dealing with the public or other third parties on behalf of Ristorante Verdicchio.

Methods of Providing Feedback:

The following methods of providing feedback to Ristorante Verdicchio on the provisions of goods and service to people with disabilities are available:

1. Website – via the website email info@verdicchio.ca
2. Telephone- 705.523.2794 Messages left on voicemail will be returned.
3. Email-mark@verdicchio.ca

Response to Feedback

We greatly appreciate all guest feedback and will respond accordingly. Ristorante Verdicchio is dedicated to responding to all inquiries, regardless of method, as quickly as possible. We will contact guests based on priority in the method which they have requested to be contacted. All guest feedback is logged and tracked to ensure quality response and resolution, including the actions that were or will be taken.

Confidentiality

Ristorante Verdicchio will not disclose personal information for purposes other than those required to address feedback and inquiries related to accessible guest services.

Notice of Temporary Service Disruption

During a temporary disruption to the availability of Ristorante Verdicchio’s facilities and/or services, we will notify guests of the reason for the disruption and its anticipated duration. To ensure effective dissemination of this information, notices will be posted at public entrances as soon as practicable.  Temporary service disruptions may result due to many different situations. The following is a list of some common circumstances that may result in a service disruption. This list is not exhaustive:

1. Washroom Closure
2. Restaurant Renovations
3. Nearby Construction
4. Power Failure
5. Renovations

Integrated Accessibility Standard Policies

Policy Statement and Organizational Commitment

Ristorante Verdicchio is committed and guided by the four core principles of Dignity, Independence, Integration and Equal Opportunity and supports the full inclusion of persons as set out in Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms, and the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act, 2005.

Ristorante Verdicchio will use every effort to ensure that we meet the needs of people with disabilities, in a timely manner, through the implementation of this policy and accessibility plan.

Information and Communication Standards

Ristorante Verdicchio will continue to create, provide and receive information and communications in ways that are accessible to people with disabilities.

If we determine that it is not technically feasible to convert the information or communications, or that the technology to convert the information or communications is not readily available, we will provide the person that requires the information with an explanation as to why the information or communications are unconvertible; and a summary of the unconvertible information or communications.

Accessible Emergency Information

If Ristorante Verdicchio prepares emergency procedures, plans or public safety information and makes the information available to the public, we will provide the information in an accessible format or with appropriate communication supports, as soon as practicable, upon request.

Feedback, Accessible Formats and Communication Supports

Ristorante Verdicchio has a policy and process in place for receiving and responding to feedback and will ensure that those processes are provided in accessible formats and with communication supports upon request.

In addition, in accordance with the Integrated Accessibility Standards Regulation (IASR), Ristorante Verdicchio will continue to provide or arrange for accessible formats and communication supports for persons with disabilities, as follows:

1. Upon request in a timely manner that takes into account the person’s accessibility needs due to a disability;
2. At a cost that is no more than the regular cost charged to other persons;
3. In consultation with the person making the request, to determine suitability of an accessible format or communication support.

Website Accessibility

Ristorante Verdicchio is committed to making all websites that it operates usable by all people, including those with disabilities, by meeting or exceeding the requirements of the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines 2.0 Level A/AA (WCAG 2.1 A/AA). We strive to make our sites an equal experience for everyone.

We continue to monitor our sites to help ensure that all content provided is accessible to all visitors. In order to help us in this process, we have engaged The Bureau of Internet Accessibility, an accessibility consulting company, to conduct a full accessibility audit consisting of both automated and manual testing of our website using BoIA’s A11Y® platform which provides us with specific recommendations that will assist us in ensuring that our Web presence is in conformance with the WCAG 2.0 A/AA.

Our Commitment to Help

Ristorante Verdicchio is dedicated to meeting the accessibility needs of its guests, vendors, employees and all other third parties with which we do business and recognizes the importance of providing accessible formats and communications supports. Individuals who have specific questions or concerns about the accessibility of our site or would like us to provide them with accessible formats and communication supports are encouraged to contact us for assistance.

Please contact us at 705.523.2794 or on our website email info@verdicchio.ca and be sure to specify the web page you need assistance with so that we can look into making that page accessible for you. We greatly value your questions and comments.

Third Party Applications

While you are visiting our site, you will notice that we make use of third-party sites such as Instagram, Facebook, YouTube, Twitter (“X”), and Google Maps to provide information about Ristorante Verdicchio. Though individuals may have challenges with access to these particular sites, Ristorante Verdicchio does not control (and therefore cannot remedy) the way content from such sites is displayed.

Employment Standard

Ristorante Verdicchio is committed to fair and accessible employment practices. The Employment Standard builds upon the existing requirements under the Ontario Human Rights Code in relation to how accessibility is provided to employees throughout the entire employment cycle is provided.

Recruitment

Ristorante Verdicchio takes the following steps to notify employees and the public about the availability of accommodations for applicants with disabilities as follows:

1. During the recruitment process when job applicants are individually selected to participate in an assessment or selection process;
2. If a selected applicant requests an accommodation, Ristorante Verdicchio consults the applicant and provides or arrange for the provision of a suitable accommodation that takes into account the applicant’s disability;
3. Notify successful applicants of the policies for accommodating employees with disabilities.

Employee Notification

Ristorante Verdicchio informs its employees of its policies used to support employees with disabilities, including but not limited to, policies on the provision of job accommodations that take into account an employee’s accessibility needs due to a disability as follows:

1. As required, to new employees as soon as practicable after they begin their employment;
2. Whenever there is a change to existing policies on the provision of job accommodations that take into account an employee’s accessibility needs due to a disability.

Individual Accommodation Plan (IAP) and Return to Work

Ristorante Verdicchio continues to take steps to develop and put in place a process for developing documented Individual Accommodation Plans (IAPs) and return to work plans and processes for employees that have been absent due to a disability. IAPs will include the following elements:

• The employee’s participation in the development of the IAP;
• Assessment on an individual basis;
• Identification of accommodations to be provided;
• Timelines for the provision of accommodations;
• Where applicable, Ristorante Verdicchio may request an evaluation by outside medical or other expert, at Ristorante Verdicchio’s expense, to assist with determining accommodation and how to achieve accommodation;
• Employees may request the participation of a representative from their bargaining agent, where represented, or otherwise a representative from the workplace not a from a bargaining agent;
• Team members may request the participation of a representative from their bargaining agent, where represented, or otherwise a representative from the workplace not a from a bargaining agent;
• Steps taken to protect the privacy of the employee’s personal information;
• Frequency with which the IAP will be reviewed and updated and the manner in which it will be done;
• If denied, the reasons for denial will be provided to the employee;
• A format that takes into account the employee’s disability needs;
• If requested, any information regarding accessible formats and communication supports provided; and
• Identification of any other accommodation that is to be provided.

Accessible Formats and Communication Supports

Upon request, Ristorante Verdicchio will consult with employees who have a disability to provide or arrange for the provision of accessible formats and communication supports as outlined below:

1. Information that is needed in order to perform the employee’s job;
2. Information that is generally available to employees in the workplace; and
3. Consultation with the employee making the request in determining the suitability of an accessible format or communication support.

Performance Management, Career Development and Advancement and Redeployment

Ristorante Verdicchio continues to take into account the accommodation needs and/or Individual Accommodation Plans of employees when:

1. Using performance management processes;
2. Providing career development and advancement information;
3. Using redeployment procedures.

In accordance with the IASR, Ristorante Verdicchio takes the following steps to ensure that the accessibility needs of employees with disabilities are taken into account during performance management, career development and redeployment processes:

1. Review internal policies and procedures to ensure they are in compliance with the IASR;
2. Take into account the accessibility needs of employees with disabilities and, as applicable, their Individualized Accommodation Plans when:
   1. Assessing performance
   2. Managing career development and advancement, including notification of the ability to provide accommodations on internal job postings
   3. Redeployment is required

Workplace Emergency Response Information

Ristorante Verdicchio provides individualized workplace emergency response information to employees who have a disability subject to the following:

1. Individualized workplace emergency response information will be provided by Ristorante Verdicchio as soon as practicable after Ristorante Verdicchio becomes aware of the need for accommodation due to the employee’s disability, if the disability is such that the individualized information is necessary;
2. If the employee who receives individual workplace emergency response information requires assistance and with the employee’s consent, Ristorante Verdicchio will provide the workplace emergency information to the person designated to provide assistance to the employee;
3. Ristorante Verdicchio will review the individualized workplace emergency response information when the employee moves positions within the company, when overall accommodations needs or plans are reviewed, and when Ristorante Verdicchio reviews its general emergency response policies.

Training

Ristorante Verdicchio ensures that all employees, volunteers, individuals who participate in the development of policies, and all other individuals who provide goods, services or facilities on behalf of Ristorante Verdicchio have been trained on the requirements of the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act and its Regulations and the Ontario Human Rights Code, as it pertains to people with disabilities. The training will be appropriate to the duties of the individual and will be provided as soon as practicable. If any changes are made to this IASR or the requirements, additional training will be provided. Ristorante Verdicchio maintains a record of the dates when training was provided and the number of individuals to whom it was provided.

Public Spaces

Ristorante Verdicchio incorporates accessibility into public spaces on its premises that are newly constructed or redeveloped on and after January 1, 2017 as follows:

We ensure that we follow the existing requirements stated under the Design of Public Spaces Standards (Accessibility Standards for the Built Environment) for outdoor public use eating areas, exterior paths of travel, accessible parking, and service-related elements.

We also continue to provide maintenance and restoration of public spaces by ensuring procedures are in place for preventative and emergency maintenance of accessible elements in public spaces and that procedures are in place for dealing with temporary disruptions when accessible elements are not in working order.

Accessibility Plan

This Multi-Year Accessibility Plan outlines a phased-in strategy to prevent and remove barriers and addresses the current and future requirements of the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act, 2005 (“AODA”). Ristorante Verdicchio will report annually on the progress and implementation of this plan, post the information on our website and will provide it in alternative formats upon request. This plan will be reviewed and updated at least once every five years.