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Providing Accessibility to Glaholt Bowles LLP Services

Glaholt Bowles LLP is committed to providing equal access to our services to all our current and potential clients, including those with any type of disability.

Our goal is to ensure that the Policy and related practices and procedures are consistent with the following four core principles:

  1. Dignity. Persons with a disability must be treated as valued clients who are as deserving of service as any other client.

  2. Equality of Opportunity. Persons with a disability should be given an opportunity equal to that given to others to obtain, use, and benefit from our services.

  3. Integration. Where possible, persons with a disability should benefit from our services in the same place and in the same or similar manner as any other client.

  4. Independence. Services must be provided in a way that respects the independence of persons with a disability. To this end, we will always be willing to assist a person with a disability but will not do so without the express permission of the person.

To ensure access on-site to clients with disabilities, Glaholt Bowles LLP has developed key policy statements with respect to Service Animals, Support Persons and Assistive Devices.

Service Animals

Any client or potential client that requires a service animal will be allowed to have the service animal accompany him/her to any area within Glaholt Bowles LLP that is accessible to clients.

Animals are considered service animals if:

  1. it is readily apparent that the animal is used by the person for reasons related to his or her disability; or

  2. the person provides a letter from a physician or nurse confirming that the person requires the animal for reasons related to the disability.

If Glaholt Bowles LLP becomes aware that the presence of any service animal adversely affects the health of any employee, every effort will be made to ensure that both the health and safety rights of the employee and the accessibility rights of the client are met. If no solution can be reached to meet both goals, the health and safety of the employee will take priority and Glaholt Bowles LLP will find an alternate meeting place for the client.

Support Person

Any client or potential client that requires a support person will be allowed to have the support person accompany him/her to any area within Glaholt Bowles LLP that is accessible to clients.

Support persons are identified as such if:

  1. it is readily apparent that the person is bring providing assistive support for reasons related to his or her disability; or

  2. the person provides a letter from a physician or nurse confirming that the person requires the support person for reasons related to the disability.

If the client is attending training or any other meeting that includes Glaholt Bowles LLP providing meals, we shall do so for any support person as well as the client.

Assistive Devices

Any client or potential client with a disability is permitted, where possible, to use their own Assistive Device when on our premises for the purposes of obtaining, using or benefiting from our services. Examples of an assistive device include a walking cane or hearing aid.

If there is a physical, technological or other type of barrier that prevents the use of an Assistive Device on our premises, we will first try to remove that barrier. If we are not able to remove the barrier, we will ask the client or potential client how he/she can be accommodated and what alternative methods of service would be more accessible to him/her. We will make best efforts to provide an alternative means of assistance to the person with a disability.

Employee Training

All staff that interacts with the public has been trained in this policy, as well as in ways to appropriately interact with any individual that is unable to access our services despite the efforts currently in place to remove any barriers. The training is also a part of our new hire orientation.

Continuous Improvement

We recognize that we cannot anticipate, and thus remove, all barriers.

Therefore, Glaholt Bowles LLP has implemented a process by which individuals can provide feedback specific to any experience related to accessing services. There is an Accessibility Feedback Form available on Glaholt Bowles LLP’s website, which can be provided in an alternate format if required.

Any requests or concerns will be addressed within five working days with either (a) a resolution or (b) an update as to the steps that have been taken and/or will be taken, along with a timeframe in which further communication from Glaholt Bowles LLP can be expected. All feedback will be recorded and retained by the Director of Operations who will recommend continuous improvement initiatives on an ongoing basis.

This policy, including the training and feedback process, will be reviewed annually.

This policy is available on our website and can be provided to any member of the public upon request.

For assistance please contact: 416-368-8280 and ask for Tara Sharkey, Director of Operations.

Completed forms can be sent by e-mail toaccessibility@glaholt.com or mailed to:

Director of Operations
Glaholt Bowles LLP
800-141 Adelaide St. West
Toronto, ON M5H 3L5