Multi-Year Accessibility Plan
2024 — 2028
Introduction
Here at SGS & Co we are built for agility and inventiveness, to enable our clients to get there first. Fueled by two connected specialist teams, Marks and SGS, we empower acceleration on a global scale, bringing the world’s biggest brands to life.
Statement of Commitment
We at SGS & Co are committed to improving accessibility and we fully support the AODA. We believe in equity and accessibility, and we are dedicated to meeting the needs of people with disabilities in an equitable manner.
Accessibility Plan 2024 — 2028
Part 1: General
Requirement: Accessibility Plan
SGS & Co has developed and implemented a Multi-Year Accessibility Plan to meet the requirements of the AODA and the needs of our stakeholders with disabilities.
Actions taken:
A multi-year accessibility plan has been developed and implemented.
Actions planned:
Review and update the accessibility plan every five years according to the feedback we receive from internal and external stakeholders.
Requirement: Training
We are committed to providing ongoing training to all SGS employees on the AODA, accessibility and disability sensitivity.
Actions taken:
We have rolled out training to new and current employees on accessibility, disability sensitivity and the duty to accommodate.
Actions planned:
We will continue to roll out training as part of the onboarding process to new employees and continue to conduct training of our current employees on an annual basis.
Requirement: Procurement of Goods, Services or Facilities
When procuring external goods and services and when working with vendors, we will include accessibility criteria. This will help us ensure that any external products we use in our operations are accessible.
Actions planned:
We will consider accessibility in the procurement of any external goods or services. This will be documenting any decisions to not incorporate accessibility requirements or by documenting accessibility requirements.
We will incorporate accessibility considerations in procurement documents, including directives, policies, checklists, requirement templates and contracts.
Part 2: Information and Communications Standard
Requirement: Accessible Websites and Web Content
All of our websites and digital platforms, including our external website and intranet, will conform to the World Wide Web Consortium’s Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) 2.2 at Level AA, in accordance with the AODA and IASR.
Actions planned:
We will ensure that our public websites, as well as existing and future web content, comply with WCAG 2.2 Level AA.
We have conducted audit of our external sites.
We will continue to consult with external WCAG trained experts and/or train staff in the IT department, as well as any other employees involved in website management and the development of our web content, on digital accessibility.
Requirement: Accessible Formats and Communication Supports
We are committed to making information and communication as accessible as possible for people with disabilities. We will ensure that accessibility requirements are integrated into any public communications.
Actions taken:
We have taken steps to ensure that content can be requested in alternative formats.
Actions planned:
We have established best practices and guidelines for creating accessible communications and documents.
We will review all existing and future communications to ensure that they are written in plain language.
We will ensure that new content and documents are accessible on an ongoing basis.
Part 3: Employment Standard
Requirement: Recruitment
As an equal opportunity employer, we are committed to inclusive and accessible hiring practices that attract and retain talented employees with disabilities. We recognize that employment barriers exist for people with disabilities and are committed to ensuring that the recruitment process is as accessible as possible.
Actions planned:
We have reviewed current and future job postings to ensure that they incorporate inclusive language, equity statements and provisions of accommodations to be offered during the hiring process.
Requirement: Workplace Accommodations
We are dedicated to making sure that our workplace is inclusive as possible for employees by providing individual accommodations to our employees as needed.
Actions taken:
We have a workplace accommodations policy in place that allows us to accommodate employees of various disabilities and provide any necessary supports.
Actions planned:
We will review the workplace accommodations policy to ensure that it meets employee needs.
We have rolled out training for managers and team leaders on the duty to accommodate employees.
Requirement: Accessible Communications for Employees
We strive to make sure that all of our internal communications, including training materials, are accessible and available in multiple formats for employees who have various disabilities.
Actions planned:
We will ensure that training materials and documents are available in multiple formats.
We will test any of our digital learning platforms and services to make sure that they WCAG Level AA compliant.
Part 4: Design of Public Spaces Standard
Requirement: Built Environment and Accessible Public Spaces
We strive to incorporate accessibility features, standards and accessible best practices into the design of our public spaces so that they are accessible for both customers and employees of various abilities.
Actions planned:
We have conducted site inspection/public space audits at both of our Ontario sites to identify any accessibility barriers.
We will ensure that new construction and renovation projects on our spaces incorporate accessibility standards.
Requirement: Emergency Evacuation Procedures
When considering the accessibility of our physical spaces, it is also crucial to ensure that any emergency evacuation procedures reflect the needs of people with disabilities who may need support in evacuating the premises.
Actions planned:
We will review our existing emergency evacuation procedures at our physical sites and ensure that they reflect the needs of people with disabilities.
Part 5: Customer Service Standard
Requirement: Accessible Customer Service
Customer service is at the foundation of everything we do, as we deliver our services in strategy, graphic design and workflow customization to clients. We strive for service excellence in all of our interactions with customers.
Actions taken:
We have provided training to our employees and managers on supporting customers of various abilities, disabilities and communication styles.
Actions planned:
We will continue to administer training to new employees on accessible customer service as well as annual training for our current employees.
Requirement: Feedback
We welcome feedback on how accessible our services are to people with disabilities. To that effect, we will ensure that a feedback process is in place and that feedback can be provided to us in multiple formats, including email, phone and TTY.
Actions planned:
We have established and implemented a process for receiving, monitoring and responding to feedback in a timely manner.
We will ensure that mechanisms are in place for people to provide feedback in multiple formats, including email, phone and TTY.
Measuring Results
Accessibility Status Reports
We will prepare annual accessibility status reports. The report will include how we have met our goals, commitments and the legislative requirements for that period, as laid out in this Accessibility Plan.
Reviewing Feedback
We will monitor and evaluate any feedback the organization has received throughout the year related to accessibility. This information will be used to continuously improve our processes and may be integrated into our accessibility reports and/or multi-year plan.
Revisions to our Accessibility Plan
We recognize that changes to this Accessibility Plan may be necessary, based on public consultation, feedback and our own accessibility action and planning processes. We will continuously update this plan and revisions will be made available as they come up.
Feedback
At SGS & Co, we welcome feedback, including anonymous feedback, about this Accessibility Plan as well as our ongoing accessibility efforts to meet the requirements of the AODA and the IASR.
You can submit feedback to us by contacting:
Meagan Murphy