Multi-Year Accessibility Plan

Intent

This 2019 to 2025 accessibility plan outlines the policies and actions that North Strategic and Notch Video (N2) will put in place to improve opportunities for people with disabilities in accordance with the requirements communicated under the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA) and its Integrated Accessibility Standards, Ontario Regulation 191/11(IASR).

Statement of Commitment 

N2 is committed to excellence in serving all customers, ensuring equal access to goods, services and facilities for people with disabilities. We believe in treating all people with dignity and respect.

We are committed to meeting the needs of people with disabilities in a timely manner, including clients and employees. Wewill strive to remove barriers for people with disabilities and will meet our obligations under AODA and other accessibilitylaws.

In addition to current policy, our Multi-Year Accessibility Plan outlines our strategy for preventing and removing barriers to equal access and opportunities for people with disabilities.

Standards of Accessibility Under the AODA

1.  General Requirements

1. Establishment of Accessibility Policies
   N2 has developed, implemented and continues to maintain an Accessibility Policy, Employment and Accommodation Policyand this Accessibility Multi-Year Plan that outline strategies and actions to identify, prevent and remove barriers for people with disabilities.These policies are available to all employees and shared with every employee upon hire, as part of our onboarding process.

   Policy review takes place annually or at the time of any legislative changes that impact the policies.

   Current Barriers and Action Required: N2’s policies are currently available to the public upon request. N2 is committed toensuring the availability of this information and commits to having these policies available online on our website by November 18, 2019.

2. Training on IASR and the Human Rights Code

Accessibility and inclusion of people with disabilities is a core value for N2 and for that reason, N2 provides training to allemployees on Accessibility Standards and on the Human Rights Code as it relates to people with disabilities. Training isprovided online and is self-paced. All employees provide a certificate to Human Resources upon completion and this is then tracked by HR.

N2 has taken the following steps to ensure employees are provided with the training needed to meet current standards and legislation:

• Provide online training resources in an accessible format that takes into account the accessibility needs of a person with a disability
• Ensure new employees, contractors and volunteers complete training within 60 days of employment orcommencement
• Keep and maintain a database of the training participant’s names and dates as well as certificates of completion

Current Barriers and Action Required: Employees on leave of absence have not yet been trained. All employees currently on leave will complete training within 30 days of their return to work.

2.  Information and Communications Standard

N2 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. We want to achieve the most effective and efficient access to information for all.

N2 has undertaken the following plans to ensure compliance with this standard:

• N2 will provide or arrange for the provision of accessible formats or communication supports for people withdisabilities, upon It will be done in a timely manner, taking into account their disability-related needs, and will not cost more than is charged to others.
• Feedback on the way N2 provides goods, services and/or facilities to people with disabilities can be provided by email to hr@northstrategic.com or by phone at 437-222-5642. N2 is committed to ensuring that its feedbackprocess is As such, we will arrange for accessible formats and communication supports upon request
• Online Training that includes the Information and Communication Standard module is provided in a way that best suits the duties and needs of employees and volunteers as it relates to the duties and responsibilities of theirposition

Current Barriers and Action Required:

• N2 will ensure that its Internet website(s) and content meet Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) 2.0, as required by AODA by January 1, 2021

3.  Employment Standard

N2 is committed to inclusive and accessible employment practices that attract and retain individuals with disabilities. We have taken the following steps to notify the public and employees that, when requested, N2 will accommodate people with disabilities throughout the recruitment process, as well as during the employment relationship.

Recruitment

N2 is committed to ensure that our recruitment and assessment processes are fair and accessible. All employees are required to complete online training that includes an Employment Standards module.

N2 has taken the following steps to ensure compliance with this standard:

• We specify that accommodation is available for applicants with disabilities in all job postings and in interview confirmation communications
• When making offers of employment, our employment agreements include a commitment to accommodation of employees with disabilities
• We inform employees of policies supporting employees with disabilities and provide this information to new employees as soon as practicable after hiring
• We provide updated information on accommodation policies to employees when changes occur
• We consult with employees to determine suitability of format or support Documented Individual Accommodation Plans

N2 is committed to producing and providing documented individual accommodation that includes the following:

• Participation of the employee requiring the individual accommodation plan
• Ability to request outside medical evaluation to determine if accommodation can be achieved and how
• High level of privacy
• Regular review and updates
• Reason for denial if applicable
• The means of providing Individual Accommodation Plans in a format that takes into account the needs of theemployee
• And if required, include individualized workplace emergency response information Return to Work

N2 is committed to developing and putting in place a process for developing individual accommodation plans and return to work policies for employees that have been absent due to disability.

N2 has developed and maintained a return to work process for our employees who have been absent from work due to a disability and required disability related accommodations in order to return to work. The process includes steps N2 takes to facilitate the return to work process and uses the documented individual accommodation plans.

Performance Management, Career Development & Redeployment

N2 is committed to ensuring the accessibility needs of employees with disabilities are taken into account with regards to performance management, career development and redeployment processes. N2 has reviewed Human Resources procedures to include the following elements:

• Accessibility needs of employees with disabilities, as well as individual accommodation plans are taken into account when using performance management processes
• Accessibility needs of employees with disabilities, as well as individual accommodation plans are taken into account when providing career development and advancement opportunities
• Accessibility needs to employees with disabilities, as well as individual accommodation plans are taken into account when redeploying employees with disabilities

4.  Customer Service Standard

N2 is committed to providing accessible customer service to people with disabilities. This means that we will provide services to people with disabilities with the same high quality and timeliness as others.

N2 uses reasonable efforts to ensure that its policies, practices and procedures are consistent with the following principles:

• Services are provided in a manner that respects the dignity and independence of persons with disabilities
• Services provided to persons with disabilities, and others, are integrated unless an alternative measure is necessary, whether temporarily or on a permanent basis, to enable a person with a disability to obtain, use or benefit from theservices
• Persons with disabilities are given an opportunity equal to that given to others to obtain, use and benefit fromservices
• Persons with disabilities and their service animals are accommodated in all aspects of service provision unless the animal is otherwise excluded by law
• N2 employees, when communicating with an employee with a disability, will do so in a manner that takes into account the person’s disability

The following measures have been implemented by N2:

• Our Accessibility Policy is available, and will be offered in an accessible format, upon request
• Notice will be provided, in accordance with our policy, when a Service Disruption occurs and will be done as quickly as possible if the disruption is unexpected
• Completion of accessible customer service training of all employees is tracked and recorded. Training is also provided on changes to policies, when required, on an ongoing basis
• Comments relating to our programs and services with regard to customer service are welcomed and appreciated. A feedback process has been established and alternative methods of providing feedback, in an accessible format, will be arranged upon request
• Any person with a disability who is accompanied by a support person or by a service animal will be allowed to access N2’s premises with their support person or service animal

Current Barriers and Action Required:

• Accessibility Policies to be published on our website by November 18, 2019
• The building entrance where N2 is located is not fully This is a barrier for some persons with disabilities. N2has discussed this issue with its’ property management, Allied Properties Real Estate Investment Trust (REIT). Should aperson with a disability not be able to enter our premises, alternative arrangements will be made that take into account the person’s disability as well as treats them with dignity and respect

Review and Update

This document was updated on November 12, 2019 and must be reviewed and updated at least once every five years.

Contact Details 

For more information on this accessibility plan, please contact: North Strategic / Notch Video

445 King Street West, Suite 200 Toronto, ON, M5V 1K4

Phone: (437)-222-5642. The receptionist will direct the call to the appropriate individual. Email: hr@northstrategic.com