INTRODUCTION
Brookfield Asset Management Inc. (“BAM”) is committed to the removal and prevention of barriers to accessibility, and to providing accessible services to its employees, clients and, to the extent applicable, members of the public and other third parties, who have disabilities.
This policy serves to communicate and establish BAM’s commitment to accessible client service, our compliance with the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act, 2005 (“AODA”) or other regional accessibility legislation and is intended to benefit persons with disabilities as defined in the Ontario Human Rights Code (“HRC”) and AODA.
This Client Service Accessibility Standard Policy applies to all Ontario employees of BAM.
- POLICY
At BAM, we expect everyone to be treated with courtesy, made to feel welcome, and have their need for accommodation, if any, respected. BAM makes all reasonable efforts to ensure that its policies, practices and procedures are consistent with AODA.
- PROCEDURE
Communication
When communicating with a person with a disability, BAM endeavours to do so in a manner that takes into account the person’s disability and makes reasonable efforts to have the person with a disability understand the content and intent of its communications. BAM offers training to its employees on how to communicate with persons with various types of disabilities.
Alternative Formats
BAM makes information and communications, including this policy, available in an accessible format or via accessible communication support upon request as soon as practicable.
Assistive Devices
We permit the unrestricted use of personal assistive devices in any areas of BAM’s facilities to which members of the public have access, subject to health, safety, and security restrictions.
BAM offers training for employees so that they may become familiar with assistive devices that are specific to and available at their workplace, where applicable.
Service Animals & Support Persons
We welcome people with disabilities who are accompanied by a service animal on the parts of our premises that are open to the public. In the event that a service animal may be excluded from BAM’s premises by law or because of the health and safety of another person, BAM shall consider all relevant factors and options in trying to find a solution that meets the needs of the individual.
Persons with disabilities who are accompanied by a support person are entitled to have that person with them when entering and while on BAM’s premises.
Temporary Disruptions
If there is a planned or temporary service disruption to parts of BAM’s premises or properties that are used by persons with disabilities, BAM will provide public notice of the disruption as required. Notices will be posted in the affected areas as well as anywhere else deemed appropriate and will include information on the reason for the disruption, its anticipated duration and a description of alternate facilities or services, if any, that are available.
All BAM employees are responsible for taking reasonable steps to report such disruption in a timely fashion through appropriately identified channels.
Training and Awareness
BAM is committed to building awareness and offering training on this policy to all its employees. Training is offered to employees as part of the new hire onboarding process. Training is also available on an ongoing basis whenever there are changes to our accessibility policies, practices or procedures. BAM maintains written records of accessibility attendance and completion.
The training includes:
- A review of the purposes of AODA and the requirements of the Accessibility Standards for Customer Service regulation, or a review of applicable regional accessibility legislation;
- A review of the purposes of the HRC and BAM’s obligations under the HRC;
- How to interact and communicate with persons with various types of disabilities;
- How to interact with persons with disabilities who use an assistive device or require the assistance of a service animal or a support person;
- How to use the equipment/devices available on site, which may assist persons with disabilities in accessing goods or services on BAM’s premises;
- What to do if a person with a particular type of disability is having difficulty in accessing BAM’s services; and,
- How to handle special requests and customer complaints relating to accessibility BAM’s policies, procedures and practices relating to the provision for services to persons with disabilities.
Customer Feedback
BAM strives to meet and exceed client expectations and we welcome feedback on the delivery of our services to persons with disabilities. Methods to provide feedback can be found on our company website brookfield.com/accessibility. BAM will review the feedback and endeavour to provide a timely response.
Documentation
Documentation relating to BAM’s policies, practices and procedures under this policy is available upon request and will be provided in an accessible or alternative format if requested.
Administration and Review
Canada Regional HR Lead – Nicole Lichowit, Managing Director is responsible for the administration of this policy. If clients, guests or employees have any questions regarding this policy, they may contact Canada Regional HR Lead – Nicole Lichowit, Managing Director.
This Policy is reviewed and updated at least annually and more frequently as needed.