Len Dubois Trucking Accessibility Plan

Executive Summary

Len Dubois Trucking is committed to fostering an inclusive environment. We recognize the importance of creating an accessible workplace, service environment and digital presence. Our Accessibility Policy outlines our dedication to ensuring equal access for all individuals.

We understand and respect that building a barrier-free workplace will take commitment from all members of our team. We will prioritize identifying, removing and preventing barriers for employees, customer and the public.

Our mission to be inclusive and accessible begins with raising our own awareness to meet the needs of those with disabilities. This plan was designed in collaboration with input and feedback from people who identify as having a disability. Len Dubois Trucking conducted a review of our facilities and solicited interviews and surveys from people identifying as having a disability.

Actions overtime will raise visibility of our plan while building on previous investments and accommodations. Our priority is to create a safe and accessible for all individuals.

Feedback

Len Dubois Trucking is committed to ongoing efforts to improve the accessibility of our space. This includes a feedback process that encourages employees, contractors, visitors, and customers share their ideas and input with us. To provide feedback on accessibility, use one of the contact methods below. Please reach out if you are requiring support while providing feedback, our ultimate goal is to meet your needs.

Contact: Hannah Goddard

Mailing Address: 40 Bryan Bay Centreport, MB R4B 0A3

Email: hannahg@lenduboistrucking.com

Website: https://lenduboistrucking.com

Phone: 204-783-2798 ext. 319

Policy

This Accessibility Plan applies to all Len Dubois Trucking employees, customers and contractors.

Policy Statement of Commitment

Ensuring our organization is accessible to all remains a top priority. All Canadians have the right to benefits from our services equally. We are committed to creating a workplace free of barriers identified by employees, visitors, contractors or customers. An environment where all individuals are treated with respect and dignity.

Reporting

As required by the Accessible Canada Act (ACA), Len Dubois Trucking will publish a progress report every year that measures our progress against our commitments. We will review and update our Accessibility Policy every three years.

Definitions

Accessibility: Refers to degree of ease that something (products, services, facilities and information) can be accessed, used and enjoyed by persons with disabilities. The term implies persons with disabilities have been intentionally and thoughtfully considered and something (products, services, facilities and information) has been built or modified so they can be used by people of all abilities.

Barrier: The Accessible Canada Act defines a barrier as “anything – including anything physical, architectural, technological or attitudinal, anything that is based on information or communications or anything that is the result of a policy or practice – that hinders the full and equal participation in society of persons with an impairment, including a physical, mental, intellectual, cognitive, learning, communication or sensory impairment or a functional limitation.”

Disability: The Accessible Canada Act defines a disability as “any impairment, including a physical, mental, intellectual, cognitive, learning, communication or sensory impairment – or a functional limitation – whether permanent, temporary or episodic in nature, or evident or not, that, interaction with a barrier, hinders a person’s full and equal participation in society.

Addressing Areas Identified in the Accessible Canada Act (ACA)

Employment – The “employment” area ensures that candidates and employees with disabilities and those who experience barriers are supported throughout the entire employment lifecycle.

Len Dubois Trucking has identified the following barriers that candidates and employees with disabilities may encounter:

Barrier #1: Len Dubois Trucking experiences difficulty attracting qualified candidates from underrepresented communities such as people with disabilities.

Actions:

Explore options to advertise job postings with employment agencies or vocational rehabilitation programs that support underrepresented communities.
Ensure online job portals we use provide compatibility with assistive technologies.
Audit job postings and descriptions to ensure individuals with disabilities can easily navigate the job application process.
Prepare information in alternate accessible formats such as: large text, Braille, or text-to-voice options. Offer these accommodations at every step of the recruiting and hiring process.
Provide hiring managers with training and resources regarding their responsibilities to providing a barrier-free selection process.

Barrier #2: Employees with disabilities may experience stigma surrounding disclosure and self-identification throughout their careers.

Actions:

Audit and modify language in policies and procedures with an inclusion focus to demonstrate accommodations have been considered and are available.
Create a process for receiving and responding to accommodation requests.
Increase visibility of available accommodations to potential and current employees.
Provide training to all management and employees on accessibility awareness, etiquette for interacting with individuals with disabilities and the importance of accessibility compliance.

Built Environment – The built environments pertains to the human-made structures and facilities in the workplace. This area ensures workspaces are accessible for all.

Barrier #3: No access to proper sharps disposal container within built environment.

Actions:

Install designated sharps containers in washrooms throughout the built environment.
Post clear signage instructions on how to properly dispose of sharps. Include access to signage in alternative accessible formats.
Designate responsible party to ensure the containers are disposed of properly and replaced with empty container when full or expired.

Barrier #4: Spaces within the office building may limit access to individuals with disabilities based on mobility.

Actions:

Conduct audit of physical workspaces to assess barriers presented to individuals with disabilities. Work with Finance department to determine budget requirements.
Establish plan to improve access to spaces that may be inaccessible to individuals with mobility limitations.
Build upon previous improvements in our environment by ensuring additional visual and auditory signage for those with visual or auditory impairment.
Designate accessible parking spaces – close to entrance, oversized space and equipped with curb cuts if necessary.

Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) – Information and Communication Technologies are various tools used to send, store, create, share or exchange information.

Barrier #5: Systems and software may present limitations to individuals. Although accommodations are available, employees are required to request or enable these options.

Actions:

Ensure digital documents, software and websites associated with Len Dubois Trucking are compatible with assistive technology and are designed with accessibility guidelines in mind.
Ensure virtual meetings include options such as: live closed-captioning, sign language interpretation or the ability to navigate without a mouse.
Provide training and access to manuals that include information on how to modify documents or software to meet various accommodations or accessibility needs.

Communication Other Than Information and Communications Technology – refers to the requirements that all materials produced by Len Dubois Trucking are barrier-free and accessible to all employees, customers and the public.

Barrier #6: Len Dubois Trucking does not possess alternative communication materials to provide if requested.

Actions:

Collaborate with third party providers to ensure our public facing website and social media channels are offering alternative text formats such as: closed captioning, high contrast fonts, voice-activated technologies, and assistive technology compatibility.
Ensure online services are compliant with the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG).
Prepare to offer audio and visual aids as requested.

Procurement of Goods, Services and Facilities – Involves ensuring all purchased products and services meet accessibility standards.

Barrier #7: Procurement procedure does not take accessibility into consideration.

Actions:

Establish and incorporate accessibility criteria into the Len Dubois procurement process. Train appropriate staff on accessibility requirements.
Review vendor agreements and ensure their products and services comply with relevant accessibility standards and regulations.
Ensure procurement documents such as requests for proposals and contracts, include language surrounding accessibility standards.

Design and Delivery of Programs and Services – While creating and implementing programs and services for our employees, customers and the public, focus should remain on considering the accessibility requirements of individuals with disabilities.

Barrier #8: Len Dubois Trucking does not currently have a designated process to establish the accessibility of our programs and services.

Actions:

Establish internal accessibility standards to ensure we are designing programs and service offerings with accessibility in mind from the outset.
Establish feedback mechanism that is accessible to all users to ensure the continuous improvement of accessibility standards within our organization.
Regularly assess programs and service offerings to make certain they remain inclusive and effective.
Educate employees on the requirements of the Accessible Canada Act and best practices within our organization.

Transportation – Transportation as it pertains to the Accessible Canada Act refers to transportation of people, not goods. Len Dubois Trucking does not coordinate any passenger-based transportation. Therefore, transportation is not included in the scope of this plan.

Consultations

The consultation process involved engaging with stakeholders, and individuals who self-identify as having a disability. We were able to gather input and feedback on the development and implementation of this plan through survey, interview and feedback/follow-up conversation methods. Conversations involved soliciting feedback on how Len Dubois Trucking can improve their current accessibility offerings to ultimately achieve a more inclusive workplace.

We are dedicated to the continuous improvement of our accessibility standards. Len Dubois Trucking believes that engaging members of the disability community as we regularly re-evaluate this plan will allow us to understand their needs and modify our processes as needed.