Accessibility Multi-Year Plan

Original Implementation Date: 5 July 2023

Last Updated: 8 January 2024

Next Update Due: January 2025

Compliance Officer Approval by: Rodney Shields, Chief Risk Officer

Senior Officer Approval by: Board of Directors

Version: 1.1

Message from the CEO

It is Forest Hill Real Estate Inc, Brokerage (FHRE) business to assist customers in the purchase, sale or lease of their property needs. Our agents and support staff will attempt to communicate with any customer based on their particular needs. Accessible formats available to agents currently include larger print, HTML, and Microsoft. FRHE will provide accessible audio formats and text transcripts should the customer ask for these to better help them understand the transaction. Braille format is currently unavailable.

1. Introduction

Forest Hill Real Estate Inc. is in the business of helping customers buy, sell, and lease real estate. Agents and back-office staff are taught to assist the customer with any law-abiding request that the customer may have.

Some forms of barriers as defined by the Act are:

• Attitudinal barriers: These may result in people with disabilities being treated differently than people without disabilities. Thinking that people with intellectual disabilities are not able to make decisions. Do not assume what employees or customers with disabilities can or cannot do. Ask them.
• Informational and communication barriers: These barriers arise when a person with a disability cannot easily receive and/or understand information that is available to others. Print that is too small to read. Make everyday documents, like signs and menus, easy to read by making sure that the print is legible for most people.
• Technological barriers: These occur when technology or the way it is used does not meet the needs of people with disabilities. Emails or other electronic communications are not accessible to people who use screen readers. Make sure every email is accessible to people who use screen readers and offer alternative methods of communication.
• Systemic barriers: These are aspects of policies, practices, and procedures that result in people with disabilities being treated differently than others or sometimes excluded altogether. People with disabilities are excluded from events, or included as an afterthought when planning events. Make sure that accessibility is considered when making plans for events and invite attendees to tell you if they have different needs. Consider using an accessibility checklist for events.
• Physical and architectural barriers: These barriers in the environment prevent access for people with disabilities. Aisles are blocked by displays or merchandise making them too narrow for a person using a wheelchair or walker. Consider the paths that your employees and customers take when creating displays or storing merchandise.

Forest Hill Real Estate Inc. Brokerage is committed to fulfilling our requirements under the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act, 2005. This accessibility plan outlines the steps we are taking to meet those requirements and to improve opportunities for people with disabilities. Our plan shows how we will play our role in making Ontario an accessible province for all Ontarians. The plan is reviewed and updated at least once every five years.

We train every person as soon as practicable after being hired and provide training in respect of any changes to the policies. We maintain records of the training provided including the dates on which the training was provided and the number of individuals to whom it was provided.

2. Past Achievements to Remove and Prevent Barriers

In discussions with management, we could find no examples where a customer need or request for a particular service could not be met. Categories reviewed were:

• Customer Service
• Information and Communications
• Employment
• Training
• Other

Strategies and Actions

Customer Service

Forest Hill Real Estate Inc, Brokerage is committed to providing accessible customer service to people with disabilities. This means that we will provide services and facilities to people with disabilities with the same high quality and timeliness as others. Training of staff will be undertaken on an annual basis.

Information and Communications

Forest Hill Real Estate Inc. Brokerage is committed to making our information and communications accessible to people with disabilities. No planned initiative.

Employment

Forest Hill Real Estate Inc. Brokerage is committed to fair and accessible employment practices. No planned initiative.

Training

Forest Hill Real Estate Inc, Brokerage is committed to providing training in the requirements of Ontario’s accessibility laws and the Ontario Human Rights Code as it applies to people with disabilities. Annual training of employees is planned in conjunction with our Anti-Money Laundering training.

Other

Nil

For More Information

For more information on this accessibility plan, please contact:

Rodney Shields
Chief Risk Officer
Email: rshields@foresthill.com
Telephone: 437 328 8250

Our accessibility plan is publicly posted at https://foresthill.com/

Standard and accessible formats of this document are free on request from Rodney Shields via email or telephone.