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MULTI-YEAR ACCESSIBILITY PLAN (2023 – 2028)

STATEMENT OF COMMITMENT

Converge Technology Solutions Corp. (“the Business”) is committed to ensuring equal access and participation for people with disabilities. We are committed to treating people with disabilities in a way that allows them to maintain their dignity and independence.

We believe in integration, and we are committed to meeting the needs of people with disabilities in a timely manner. We will do so by removing and preventing barriers to accessibility and by meeting our accessibility requirements under Ontario’s accessibility laws.

 

INTRODUCTION

The Business strives to meet the needs of its employees and customers with disabilities and is working hard to remove and prevent barriers to accessibility.

The Business is committed to fulfilling our requirements under the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act, 2005, and other applicable accessibility legislation. This accessibility plan outlines the steps we are taking to meet those requirements and to improve opportunities for people with disabilities.

This multi-year plan aims to create a comprehensive and sustainable framework for accessibility within the Business, fostering an inclusive environment for both employees and customers. Regular assessments, training, and community engagement will contribute to continuous improvement and ongoing compliance with AODA, and other applicable accessibility legislation.

Our plan shows how we will play our role in making Ontario an accessible province for all Ontarians.

 

PAST ACHIEVEMENTS TO REMOVE AND PREVENT BARRIERS

The Business has implemented the following projects and programs to improve accessibility for people with disabilities and to meet requirements of the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act.

CUSTOMER SERVICE

    • The Business has developed and implemented an Accessible Customer Service Policy and Accessibility Policy.
    • The Business provides goods and services to people with disabilities with the same high quality and timeliness as others.
    • The Business serves customers in various ways such as in-person and online.
    • The Business has committed to designing our facilities free from barriers and accessible to all persons we serve.

INFORMATION AND COMMUNICATIONS

    • The Business has implemented processes for customers, employees, and individuals seeking employment, to provide feedback on our accessibility initiatives for persons with disabilities.
    • Upon request, and in accordance with the compliance schedule set out in the IAS Regulation, the Business provides or arranges for the provision of accessible formats and communication supports for persons with disabilities in a timely manner and at a cost that is not greater than the cost charged to other persons, if any.
    • The Business communicates with people with disabilities in ways that take into account their disability.
    • The Business works with the person with a disability to determine what method of communication works for them.
    • The Business website meets the AODA requirements.

EMPLOYMENT

    • The Business has developed and implemented a developed and implemented an AODA Statement of Commitment.
    • Accommodations for applicants (including existing employees) with disabilities are available in the Business’s recruitment processes.
    • If a selected applicant requests an accommodation, the Business will consult with the applicant and provide or arrange for the provision of a suitable accommodation in a manner that takes into account the applicant’s accessibility needs due to a disability.

TRAINING

    • The Business trains every person as soon as practicable after being hired.
    • The Business provides refresher training to existing employees at least annually or when changes are made to the policies.
    • The Business maintains records of the training provided including the dates on which the training was provided and the number of individuals to whom it was provided.

STRATEGIES AND ACTIONS

The Business is committed to accomplishing the following projects and programs to meet the requirements of the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act and to remove and prevent barriers to people with disabilities.

 

CUSTOMER SERVICE

The Business is committed to providing accessible customer service to people with disabilities. This means that we will provide goods, services, and facilities to people with disabilities with the same high quality and timeliness as others.

The Business will:

    • Develop and implement customer service training programs for frontline staff, emphasizing effective communication and assistance for customers with disabilities.
    • Establish clear guidelines for accommodating customer needs.
    • Continue to act in compliance with the Accessible Customer Service Policy, including reviewing and updating the Policy as necessary.
    • Continue to receive and respond to feedback.
    • Comply with the Design of Public Spaces Standards with respect to public spaces that are newly constructed or redeveloped in accordance with the requirements of the IAS Regulation.

 

INFORMATION AND COMMUNICATIONS

The Business is committed to making our information and communications accessible to people with disabilities.

The Business will:

    • Continue to ensure all websites controlled by the Business conform to the World Wide Web Consortium Web Content Accessibility Guidelines 2.0 Level AA, including live captions and prerecorded audio descriptions where possible.
    • Assess and improve the accessibility of all digital platforms, including websites, applications, and internal systems.
    • Assess the accessibility of current communication channels, including newsletters, documents, and marketing materials.
    • Train IT staff on accessible design and development practices.

EMPLOYMENT

The Business is committed to fair and accessible employment practices.

The Business will:

    • Establish a streamlined process for handling accommodation requests and ensure managers are trained to facilitate accommodations.
    • Review and update recruitment and employment policies to align with AODA standards.
    • Implement and update procedures for accommodating employees with disabilities during recruitment and employment processes.
    • Will develop and/or assess policies, procedures, and protocols, taking into account leading approaches in equity, diversity, inclusion, and accessibility, particularly concerning hiring, recruitment, career advancement, and employee retention.
    • Will continue to consider mental health as an integral component of employee well-being, and explore methods to foster manageable stress levels, uphold work-life balance, and improve the availability of adequate mental health support for our employees.

TRAINING

The Business 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.

The Business will:

    • Provide ongoing training for employees on accommodating colleagues and customers with disabilities.
    • Provide refresher training for employees to reinforce the importance of accessibility.
    • Keep employees informed about any updates to policies or procedures.

FEEDBACK PROCESS

We welcome feedback. Employees and customers who wish to provide feedback on the way the Business provides goods, services or facilities to people with disabilities can provide feedback in the following way(s):

By email to: [email protected]
By mail to: Converge Technology Solutions, c/o People Operations (DEI), 3155 Swansea Cres, Ottawa, ON, K1G 3J3

The Business will make sure our feedback process is accessible to people with disabilities by providing or arranging for accessible formats and communication supports, on request.

All feedback received will be reviewed within a reasonable time period and the Business will take all appropriate steps to address any issues raised. All complaints will be processed in accordance with the Business’s complaints process.

Accessibility Compliance Report