Multi-Year Accessibility Plan

Providing Goods and Services to People with Disabilities

This 2014-21 accessibility plan outlines the policies and actions that KGS Group will put in place to improve opportunities for people with disabilities.

Statement of Commitment

KGS Group 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 needs of people with disabilities in a timely manner, and will do so by preventing and removing barriers to accessibility and meeting accessibility requirements under the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act.

Training

KGS Group 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 people with disabilities. Training will be provided in a way that best suits the duties of employees, volunteers and other staff members.

KGS Group will take the following steps to ensure employees are provided with the training needed to meet Ontario's accessible laws by January 1, 2015.

KGS Group will provide training to employees who deal with the public or third parties on their behalf. Individuals in the following positions will be trained: Receptionists, Administration Staff, Senior Management and members of the Joint Health & Safety Committee. This training will be provided within 2 months of that individual being hired.

Training will include:

  • An overview of the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act, 2005 and the requirements of the customer service standard.
  • KGS Group's plan related to the customer service standard.
  • How to interact with people with disabilities who use an assistive device or require the assistance of a service animal or a support person.
  • How to use the elevator (or any other equipment or device available within our office that may help with providing services to people with disabilities).
  • What to do if a person with a disability is having difficulty in accessing KGS Group's services.

Staff will also be trained when changes are made to this plan.

Design of Public Spaces

KGS Group will meet the Accessibility Standards for the Design of Public Spaces when building or making major modifications to public spaces.

In the event of a planned or unexpected disruption to services or facilities intended for customers with disabilities (such as the elevator, accessible washrooms, etc), KGS Group will notify customers promptly. This clearly posted notice will include information about the reason for the disruption, its anticipated length of time, and a description of alternative facilities or services, if available. This notice will be posted in the reception area of our office and/or adjacent to the affected service or facilities.

Accessible Emergency Information

KGS Group is committed to providing the customers and clients with publicly available emergency information in an accessible way upon request. We will also provide employees with disabilities with individualized emergency response information when necessary.

Information and Communications

KGS Group is committed to meeting the communication needs of people with disabilities. We will consult with people with disabilities to determine their information and communication needs.

To ensure that KGS Group's website remains compliant, all items updated on the site will be text based with images tagged and labeled appropriately for accessibility. In the event that KGS Group launches a new public site or undergoes a significant refresh to the existing site, all WCAG 2.0 standards will be implemented with consideration given to the need to conform to the WCAG 2.0 Level AA by January 1, 2021.

For customers who wish to provide feedback on the way KGS Group provides services to people with disabilities, please send KGS Group a message through the form on the Contact Us page.

All feedback will be directed to the Senior Manager responsible for the respective office location. Customers can expect to hear back within 7 days. Complaints will be addressed according to our organization's regular complaint management procedure.

Employment

KGS Group is committed to fair and accessible employment practices.

KGS Group will accommodate people with disabilities during the recruitment and assessment processes and when people are hired by ensuring that all Human Resources staff are suitably trained and understand the requirements of the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act.

KGS Group will develop and put in place a process for developing individual accommodation plans and return-to-work policies for employees that have been absent due to a disability.

KGS Group will prevent and remove other accessibility barriers when and if they are identified.