Accessibilty Policy

Ritchie Feed & Seed Inc.

ACCESSIBILITY POLICY

1. Introduction & Statement of Commitment

Ritchie Feed & Seed Inc. supports the full inclusion of persons with disabilities in its policies, programs, and services. Ritchie Feed & Seed Inc. is committed to creating an accessible organization by identifying, removing, and preventing barriers for people with disabilities. This commitment extends to employees, job applicants, subcontractors, volunteers, service organizations, and members of the public who interact with our business every day.

This policy is intended to benefit the full range of persons with disabilities, as defined in the Ontario Human Rights Code and the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act, 2005 (AODA). Whether a person’s disability is apparent or not, everyone will be treated with dignity, independence, integration, and equal opportunity.

Ritchie Feed & Seed Inc. endeavors to demonstrate leadership in accessibility. Our goal is to ensure accessibility for our employees and the public we serve across all our services, products, digital assets, and physical facilities. We are committed to meeting the requirements of the Integrated Accessibility Standards Regulation (Ontario Regulation 191/11).

2. Our Mission & Customer Service Standard

Ritchie Feed & Seed Inc. strives at all times to provide goods, services, and facilities in a way that respects the dignity and independence of persons with disabilities. We are committed to ensuring that customers with disabilities receive accessible goods and services with the same high quality and timeliness as all other customers.

Communication

Ritchie Feed & Seed Inc. will communicate with people who have disabilities in ways that take their disability into account. Staff interacting with customers will be trained on how to effectively communicate with individuals with various types of disabilities.

Assistive Devices

Persons with disabilities are permitted to use their own personal assistive devices to access our goods, services, and facilities. Ritchie Feed & Seed Inc. will inform customers of any assistive devices available on-site and ensure staff are trained on their operation.

Service Animals and Support Persons

• Service Animals: Persons with disabilities may bring their service animal into all areas of our premises that are open to the public or third parties. Staff are trained on how to interact appropriately with customers accompanied by service animals.

• Support Persons: Any person with a disability who is accompanied by a support person will be allowed to enter our premises with that individual. Access to the support person will not be restricted while on our premises. On rare occasions where health or safety laws require it, a manager may determine a support person is required or restrict entry to specific operational areas, in which case alternative accommodations will be offered.

Notice of Temporary Disruptions

In the event of a planned or unexpected disruption to accessible services or facility elements (e.g., automatic door operators, accessible washrooms, or ramps), Ritchie Feed & Seed Inc. will post prompt notice. This notice will include the reason for the disruption, its anticipated duration, and descriptions of alternative facilities or services if available. Notices will be posted at public entrances, service counters, and online where applicable, in accessible formats.

Feedback Process

Comments on how well service delivery expectations are being met for customers with disabilities are welcomed. Feedback can be submitted verbally, via comment cards, in writing, or electronically.

• Response Timelines: Verbal or telephone feedback will be acknowledged within seven (7) business days. Written, emailed, or mailed feedback will receive a response within fifteen (15) business days.

Responses will outline the action taken and will be provided in an accessible format upon request.

3. Integrated Accessibility Standards (O. Reg. 191/11)

Information and Communications

• Accessible Formats & Communication Supports: Upon request, Ritchie Feed & Seed Inc. will provide or arrange for the provision of accessible formats and communication supports for the public in a timely manner, at no extra cost, and in consultation with the person making the request.

• Website Compliance: All corporate websites, web applications, and digital content managed by Ritchie Feed & Seed Inc. conform to the World Wide Web Consortium (W3C) Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) 2.0 Level AA standards.

• Website Accessibility Features & Toolbar: Our digital storefront and public websites include built-in accessibility toolbar options and customizable settings (e.g., contrast adjustment, text resizing, and keyboard navigation enhancements) to allow visitors to customize their browsing experience according to their individual accessibility needs.

Employment Standards

Ritchie Feed & Seed Inc. is committed to fair and accessible employment practices across all stages of the employment lifecycle:

• Recruitment & Selection: We notify job applicants and the public that accommodations are available upon request during recruitment, assessment, and selection processes.

• Workplace Emergency Response: Individualized workplace emergency response plans are developed and provided to employees who have a declared disability where individualized assistance is required during an emergency.

• Individual Accommodation Plans (IAPs): We maintain a formal written process for documenting individual accommodation plans for employees with disabilities.

• Return to Work: We maintain a documented return-to-work process for employees who have been absent due to a disability and require accommodation to return to the workplace.

• Performance & Career Development: Employee accommodation plans and accessibility needs are taken into account during performance management evaluations, career development, and internal redeployment.

Design of Public Spaces, Facilities & Maintenance

• Built Environment: Ritchie Feed & Seed Inc. complies with the AODA Design of Public Spaces Standards and the Ontario Building Code when constructing, redeveloping, or renovating public elements, including exterior paths of travel, accessible parking stalls, queueing areas, service counters, and washroom facilities.

• Emergency Signaling: All retail and public locations maintain compliant life safety and fire alarm systems featuring both audible alarms and visual strobe light signals to ensure clear emergency notification for all occupants.

• Preventive & Corrective Maintenance: Operational procedures are maintained for regular preventive maintenance of accessible facility features (e.g., automated door operators, exterior ramps, call systems) and for addressing temporary operational outages promptly.

Staff Training & Record Keeping

Ritchie Feed & Seed Inc. provides accessibility training to all managers, supervisors, employees, volunteers, and third-party contractors who interact with the public or participate in policy development.

• Timing: Training is provided during initial employee orientation and on an ongoing basis whenever accessibility policies or procedures are revised.

• Curriculum: Training covers the requirements of the AODA Integrated Accessibility Standards Regulation, the Ontario Human Rights Code as it pertains to persons with disabilities, customer service protocols, and equipment operation.

• Record Keeping: In accordance with AODA requirements, Ritchie Feed & Seed Inc. maintains complete, up-to-date written records of all accessibility training completed. Records—including training dates and the number of individuals trained—are maintained on-site at each operating location and logged centrally within the corporate training matrix.

4. Multi-Year Plan & Policy Review

Ritchie Feed & Seed Inc. maintains a documented Multi-Year Accessibility Plan outlining corporate strategy for barrier prevention and removal. The multi-year plan is posted publicly on our corporate website and is reviewed and updated at least once every five (5) years.

This policy will be reviewed regularly and updated whenever new or revised accessibility standards are established under the AODA.