ACCESSIBILITY & ACCESSIBLE CLIENT SERVICE POLICY

ACCESSIBILITY POLICY AND MULTI-YEAR ACCESSIBILITY PLAN (2026–2031)

Statement of Commitment

Progressive Barristers Professional Corporation ("PBPC") is committed to providing legal services in a manner that respects the dignity, independence, integration, and equal opportunity of persons with disabilities.

PBPC is committed to meeting its obligations under the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act, 2005 ("AODA"), its regulations, and the Ontario Human Rights Code. We will work to identify, prevent, and remove barriers to accessibility and will provide accommodations in a timely manner up to the point of undue hardship.

Accessibility is an ongoing process, and PBPC is committed to reviewing and improving its accessibility practices on a continuing basis.

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Accessible Legal Services

PBPC strives to ensure that persons with disabilities have equitable access to our legal services and receive services of the same quality as all other clients.

We are committed to:

  • communicating with clients in ways that take into account their individual accessibility needs;

  • providing services in a manner that respects dignity and independence;

  • accommodating disabilities in the delivery of legal services wherever reasonably possible;

  • receiving and responding to feedback regarding accessibility; and

  • consulting with clients regarding accommodations that may assist them in accessing our services.

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Physical Accessibility

PBPC's office at 174 Davenport Road, Toronto, Ontario, currently has physical accessibility limitations and may not be accessible to all individuals who use mobility devices.

To ensure equitable access to legal services, PBPC offers alternative arrangements including:

  • virtual meetings by video conference;

  • telephone appointments;

  • meetings at accessible off-site locations;

  • home, hospital, or community visits where appropriate; and

  • alternative methods of communication and document exchange.

Individuals requiring accommodation are encouraged to contact us so that appropriate arrangements can be made.

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Communication and Information Supports

PBPC is committed to communicating with persons with disabilities in ways that take into account their accessibility needs.

Upon request, and where reasonably practicable, PBPC will work with individuals to provide:

  • accessible communication methods;

  • alternative formats of documents;

  • communication supports; and

  • other accommodations required to facilitate access to our services.

We will consult with the individual requesting accommodation to determine the most appropriate format or support.

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Assistive Devices

Persons with disabilities are welcome to use their own assistive devices when accessing PBPC's services.

Members of the firm receive training regarding interaction with individuals who use assistive devices and will work with clients to facilitate access wherever reasonably possible.

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Support Persons

Persons with disabilities who are accompanied by a support person are welcome to access PBPC's services together with their support person.

PBPC recognizes that legal services often involve confidential and privileged information. Where a support person participates in meetings or communications, PBPC may confirm the client's consent to the support person's presence and discuss any implications for confidentiality, privilege, and the provision of legal advice.

At no time will a person with a disability be prevented from having access to their support person while receiving services from PBPC.

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Service Animals

Persons with disabilities who are accompanied by a service animal are welcome in areas of the premises open to clients and visitors, unless otherwise prohibited by law.

Members of the firm are trained to interact appropriately with individuals accompanied by service animals and to respect the working role of those animals.

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Website Accessibility

PBPC is committed to maintaining a website that is accessible to persons with disabilities.

We will continue to review and improve the accessibility of our website and online services in accordance with applicable accessibility requirements and evolving best practices.

Individuals who experience difficulty accessing content on our website are encouraged to contact us so that alternative arrangements may be made.

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Feedback Process

PBPC welcomes feedback regarding the accessibility of our services.

Feedback may be provided in any of the following ways:

  • telephone;

  • email;

  • mail;

  • personal delivery; or

  • any other accessible method requested by the individual.

Feedback will be reviewed promptly and, where appropriate, action will be taken to improve accessibility.

Responses to feedback will be provided in a manner that takes into account the individual's accessibility needs.

Anonymous feedback is also welcome.

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Employment Practices

PBPC is committed to fair, equitable, and accessible employment practices.

PBPC will:

  • notify applicants that accommodations are available during the recruitment process;

  • provide reasonable accommodation during interviews and assessments upon request;

  • inform successful applicants of accommodation policies;

  • provide workplace accommodations for employees with disabilities in accordance with applicable law;

  • develop written accommodation plans where required;

  • maintain return-to-work processes for employees absent due to disability;

  • protect the confidentiality of accommodation-related information; and

  • take accessibility needs into account in performance management, career development, training, and workplace communications.

Requests for accommodation will be assessed individually and addressed in a timely manner.

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Training

PBPC will ensure that appropriate accessibility training is provided to lawyers, employees, students, contractors, and others who interact with clients or participate in the development of firm policies.

Training will include:

  • the requirements of the AODA and applicable accessibility standards;

  • the accessibility-related provisions of the Ontario Human Rights Code;

  • interaction and communication with persons who have various disabilities;

  • accommodation principles;

  • the firm's accessibility policies and procedures; and

  • updates whenever accessibility-related policies or practices change.

Training records will be maintained as required.

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Accessibility Planning and Review

PBPC is committed to continuous improvement in accessibility.

This Accessibility Policy and Multi-Year Accessibility Plan will be reviewed at least once every five years and may be updated more frequently as required by legislative changes, operational needs, or identified accessibility concerns.

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Accessibility Officer

Questions, requests for accommodation, accessibility-related feedback, or requests for accessible formats of this document may be directed to:

Accessibility Officer
Shibil Siddiqi
Phone: 1-800-816-8335
Email: Shibil at Progressive dot Law

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