TAO Asset Management Inc. (“TAO”) is committed to providing its services in a manner that respects the dignity and independence of people with disabilities. The purpose of this policy is to ensure that TAO’s business is accessible to persons with disabilities by identifying, removing and preventing barriers that might impede the ability of persons with disabilities from making use of TAO’s services and facilities.
Assistive devices
Persons with disabilities may provide their own assistive device for the purpose of obtaining, using and benefiting from TAO’s services and facilities.
In cases where the assistive device presents a safety concern or where accessibility might be an issue, other reasonable measures will be used to ensure the access to goods and services.
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.
Communication
We will communicate with people with disabilities in ways that take into account their disability. We will train our employees, agents and any other person who deals with members of the public on our behalf, on how to interact and communicate with people with various types of disabilities.
Service animals
TAO welcomes people with disabilities and their guide dogs or service animals. Guide dogs or service animals are allowed on the parts of TAO’s premises that are open to the public unless otherwise excluded by law.
It is the responsibility of the person with the disability to ensure that his or her guide dog or service animal is kept in control at all times. If an employee or any other person on TAO’s premises has a severe allergy to animals, which could result in health and safety concerns, TAO will make reasonable efforts in the circumstances to meet the needs of all individuals.
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. In situations where the support person will be exposed to confidential information, TAO may require that the support person sign a confidentiality agreement.
Notice of temporary disruption
Service disruptions may occur due to reasons that may or may not be within TAO knowledge or control. In the event of any temporary disruptions to facilities or services that customers with disabilities rely on to access or use, reasonable efforts will be made to provide advance notice. In some circumstances such as in the situation of unplanned temporary disruptions, advance notice may not be possible
Training
TAO will provide training to its employees, contractors and others who deal with the public or other third parties on TAO’s behalf (“TAO Staff”).
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, 2005 and the Accessibility Standards for Customer Service Regulation;
- 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 guide dog, service animal or a support person;
- How to use equipment or devices available on TAO’s premises, if applicable, or otherwise provided by TAO that may help with the provision of services to a person with a disability.
- What to do if a person with a disability is having difficulty in accessing TAO’s services and/or facilities
TAO Staff will also be trained when changes are made to this policy.
Feedback process
Customers who wish to provide feedback on the way TAO provides services to people with disabilities can be provided in person, by telephone, in writing, or in electronic format. All feedback should be directed to TAO’s Compliance Officer.
Feedback in person or by mail should be directed to;
TAO Asset Management Inc.
11 King Street West, Suite 1600
Toronto, ON M5H 4C7
Attention: Compliance Officer
Feedback in via email can be sent to: compliance@taoasset.ca. Feedback may also be provided by calling: 416-309-9315.
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.
When providing these documents to a person with a disability, TAO will endeavour to provide the document, or the information contained in the document, in a format that 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 TAO’s website (www.taoasset.ca).
Definitions
For the purposes of this policy,
“Assistive Device” means a technical aid, communication device or other instrument that is used to maintain or improve the functional abilities of people with disabilities. Personal assistive devices are typically devices that members and guests bring with them such as a wheelchair, walker or a personal oxygen tank that might assist in hearing, seeing, communicating, moving, breathing, remembering and/or reading.
“Disability” means:
- any degree of physical disability, 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 co-ordination, blindness or visual impediment, 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 dysfunction in one or more of the processes involved in understanding symbols of spoken language;
- a mental disorder; and
- an injury or disability for which benefits were claimed or received under the insurance plan established under the Workplace Safety and Insurance Act.
“Guide Dog” means a dog trained as a guide for a blind person and having the qualifications prescribed by the regulations to the Blind Persons Rights Act.
“Service Animal” means any animal used by a person with a disability where it is readily apparent that the animal is used by the person for reasons relating to his or her disability or where a person provides a letter from a physician or nurse confirming that the person requires the animal for reasons relating to his or her disability. A Service Animal includes a Guide Dog.
“Support Person” means, in relation to a person with a disability, another person who accompanies him or her in order to assist them with communication, mobility, personal care, or medical needs or with access to goods and services.
Contact for clarification or questions
Any questions about this policy should be directed to TAO’s Compliance Officer.
