Accessibility Policy
We must always remember that every person who steps through our doors is important and every person deserves to be treated with dignity, respect and equality. This is not only a good business practice, but it is also the law that every organization must follow the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act, 2005 (AODA) and the Human Rights Code. Little Short Stop Stores is committed to excellence in serving all customers including people with disabilities.
When we think of disabilities, we tend to think of people in wheelchairs and physical disabilities, disabilities that are visible and apparent. But disabilities can also be non-visible. We can’t always tell who has a disability. The broad range of disabilities also includes vision disabilities, deafness or being hard of hearing, intellectual or developmental, learning, and mental health disabilities.
The purpose of Little Short Stop Stores’ Accessibility Standard for Customer Service Plan is to ensure potential barriers for people with disabilities in our stores are managed appropriately by all Little Short Stop Employees. Where barriers are present, Little Short Stop employees are expected to offer and provide assistance to people having difficulty accessing goods and services in our stores. Little Short Stop employees should respect the right of all people to refuse assistance. We must exercise patience if a person chooses to refuse assistance and avoid rushing or hurrying them. Little Short Stop Stores has identified the potential barriers and outlined the procedures that its’ employees are expected to follow below.
Potential Barriers
Sales Floor
Clearance for mobility scooters, walkers, wheelchairs and other mobility equipment
Provide clearance around all fixtures, racks, and displays in our stores.
Accessibility of items that may be located out of reach of some customers
All employees must be prepared to provide assistance to people who are having difficulty reaching products in our stores. Employees are expected to observe people while they are shopping our stores and offer assistance when people are experiencing difficulty as well as provide assistance when requested.
Allowing service animals
Service animals such as guide dogs are permitted in all public areas of Little Short Stop Stores.
Entrances
Most stores do not have automatic door openers
Employees are expected to watch for people who may have difficulty entering and exiting our stores. Customers may request assistance by waving, knocking, or using the outside buzzer(if available). Employees should assist customers by opening and holding the door for people who may have difficulty.
Communicating
Customers who are hearing impaired may have difficulty communicating with staff
In instances where people are having difficulty communicating with staff due to hearing impairment, employees should use a pen or pencil and paper so that both parties can write down and read each others communications.
Customers who are visually impaired may not be able to see prices, signs or register totals
In instances where people are having difficulty reading prices, signs or register totals, employees should read aloud anything that a person is having difficulty with.
Feedback
People may wish to provide feedback on Little Short Stop Stores’ accessibility standards for customer service plan, they should be directed to the store manager. If the manager is not available, employees should collect contact information from the person, so that the manager can contact them. The manager will then discuss the feedback with their supervisor and if necessary the supervisor will bring the feedback to the office for further discussion and resolution.