Ontario Disabilities Act

Introduction

This 2014-2025 Accessibility Plan (“Plan”) outlines the policies and actions that Gymboree Play & Music will put in place to improve opportunities for persons with disabilities in its store locations in Ontario, Canada. This Plan outlines how Gymboree Play & Music intends to meet the requirements of the Integrated Accessibility Standards Regulation made under the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (the “AODA”).

Gymboree Play & Music is dedicated to providing goods, services and employment in an accessible manner and is committed to treating all people in a way that allows them to maintain their dignity and independence. We believe in integration and equal opportunity. We are committed to meeting the reasonable accessibility needs of persons with disabilities in a timely manner, and will do so by preventing and removing barriers to accessibility and meeting accessibility requirements under the AODA.

This Plan is a fluid document that will be revised at least once every five years to reflect changes in Gymboree Play & Music’s accessibility strategies. Gymboree Play & Music welcomes feedback regarding this Plan, in whichever format is most convenient to the person giving feedback. If the Plan states that a document or information is available upon request, such requests should be made by phoning Gymboree Play & Music’s Customer Service number at 415-604-3094 or by sending an e-mail to customer.service@gymboglobal.com.

Individualized Emergency Preparedness Plan

Gymboree Play & Music will develop individualized emergency preparedness plans as required and as soon as practicable, for employees who Gymboree Play & Music is aware require assistance in emergency situations.

Training

Gymboree Play & Music will provide training to employees, volunteers and other staff members on Ontario’s accessibility laws and on the Human Rights Code as it relates to persons with disabilities. Training will be provided in a way that best suits the duties of employees, volunteers and other staff members.

The training delivered will instruct employees, volunteers and other staff members on the following:

  • Persons with disabilities may use their own assistive devices when visiting Gymboree Play & Music.
  • Persons accompanied by a guide dog or service animal are permitted to enter our premises with the animal, except in areas in which the animal is excluded by law.
  • When a person with a disability is accompanied by a support person, both the person with the disability and the support person are permitted to enter together and have equal access to Gymboree Play & Music’s premises.
  • Gymboree Play & Music will provide notice to the public of any temporary disruptions to facilities or services offered by Gymboree Play & Music and used by persons with disabilities. This notice will include the reason for the disruption, the anticipated length of the disruption and a description of any alternative facilities and/or services that are available.

Point-of-Sale Devices and Service Counters

Gymboree Play & Music will consider the accessibility of electronic terminals when designing, procuring or acquiring self-service kiosks including point-of-sale devices. Gymboree Play & Music will consider the various needs of persons with disabilities prior to making any decisions regarding the purchase, implementation and use of self-service kiosks.

Gymboree Play & Music will ensure that when constructing new service counters (or replacing existing service counters), there will be at least one service counter that reasonably accommodates a mobility aid. This service counter will be clearly identified and will:

  • Be at a height such that it is usable seated in a mobility aid;
  • Have sufficient knee clearance for a person seated in a mobility aid; and
  • Have sufficient floor space in front of the counter to accommodate a mobility aid.

Gymboree Play & Music will ensure that the fixed queuing guides have sufficient width and floor area to allow for the passage of mobility assistive devices and are cane detectable. Gymboree Play & Music will have procedures for preventative and emergency maintenance of accessible elements and for dealing with temporary disruptions when accessible elements are not in working order.

Feedback, Accessible Formats and Communication Supports

  • Gymboree Play & Music will accept feedback in person at retail locations, by phoning our Customer Service number at 415-604-3094, by emailing us at customer.service@gymboglobal.com or by writing to us at Gymboree Customer Service, 3180 Campus Drive, San Mateo, CA 94403.

Employment

Gymboree Play & Music is committed to fair and accessible employment practices. Accessibility will be integrated into Gymboree Play & Music’s employment-related practices throughout the employment life cycle, as set out in more detail in this section. Gymboree Play & Music will take the following steps to notify the public and staff that, when requested, they will provide reasonable accommodations to persons with disabilities during the recruitment and assessment processes, and after individuals are hired.

Workplace

Gymboree Play & Music will develop and update individualized emergency preparedness plans as soon as practicable, for employees who Gymboree Play & Music is aware require assistance in emergency situations.

  • Existing orientation and on-boarding procedures will be reviewed and modified to reflect Gymboree Play & Music’s accessibility policies. This ensures that when employees begin employment, they are aware of the accommodation policies in place for persons with disabilities.
  • A procedure will be established to inform colleagues of any changes made to accommodation policies in place at Gymboree Play & Music.

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