Accessibility Policy

Last updated: 2022-06-14

KnowledgeNow is a custom online learning developer registered in Ontario, but with remote employees, contractors, and clients across Canada. As a company registered in Ontario, KnowledgeNow is officially regulated by Ontario provincial legislation, as well as any applicable federal legislation. However, we are committed to respecting the dignity of people with disabilities in all provinces and territories, regardless of whether or not those jurisdictions have accessibility legislation and Human Rights Codes that protect people with disabilities against discrimination and exclusion.

Furthermore, this policy pertains to how KnowledgeNow interacts with the public, with future and current clients, employees, and contractors. It also pertains to the online learning projects that we produce, which is our primary service or product.

Commitment to Accessibility, Diversity, Inclusion, and Equity

KnowledgeNow is committed to ensuring equal access and participation for all people with disabilities. We are committed to treating all people with disabilities of all types in a way that allows them to maintain their dignity and independence. We believe in accessibility, diversity, inclusion, and equity for all people.

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 meeting our accessibility requirements under the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (A.O.D.A.) and Ontario’s accessibility laws.

KnowledgeNow is committed to meeting its current and ongoing obligations under the Ontario Human Rights Code respecting non-discrimination. We are also committed to meeting the legislative and human rights obligations under all provincial, territorial, and federal jurisdictions of our current and future clients, employees, and contractors.

These commitments are demonstrated in our company’s vision, mission, and value statements, and by applying principles of accessibility and universal design for learning (U.D.L.) to all of our projects. These commitments are also demonstrated through the application of our accessibility standards to ensure inclusive and equitable work and learning environments.

KnowledgeNow understands that obligations under the A.O.D.A. and its accessibility standards do not substitute or limit its obligations under the Ontario Human Rights Code or obligations to people with disabilities under any other provincial and federal law.

Our accessibility policy is consistent with the principles of independence, dignity, integration, and equity for people, including those with disabilities.

Best Practices

KnowledgeNow uses structured electronic files (Word, Google Docs, etc.) to prepare all of our documentation. We apply the highest standards of accessibility, equity, and inclusion to all our projects.

A structured electronic file includes formatting of the document such as titles, section headings, font size, and colours. This makes it easy to produce the same document in an alternate accessible format such as a web page, large print, braille, or audio version. Structured electronic documents are automatically accessible to those using screen readers.

Communication

We communicate with people with disabilities in ways that take into account their disability. KnowledgeNow will provide, upon request, information in an accessible format or with communication supports to people with disabilities in a manner that takes into account their disability. Documents and other information are, or will be, provided in formats accessible to screen readers or as otherwise necessary, such as:

  • H.T.M.L.;

  • Structured Word and Google Doc documents;

  • Accessible audio;

  • Large print;

  • Text transcripts of video and audio information;

  • Descriptive text of images and other non-video visual objects; and

  • Any other means identified by the person with a disability with whom we are communicating.

Changes to Existing Policies

Any policies of this organization that do not respect and promote the principles of dignity, independence, equity, and inclusion for people with disabilities will be modified or removed.

This document is publicly available. Additional accessible formats are available upon request.

Training

We are committed to training all employees, contractors, co-op interns, and volunteers in accessible service, in other Ontario accessibility standards, in aspects of the Ontario Human Rights Code that relate to persons with disabilities, and in all other provincial and federal legislation pertaining to accessibility, equity, and inclusion of people with disabilities.

Training of our employees, contractors, co-op interns, and volunteers on accessibility, diversity, inclusion, and equity relates to their specific roles.

Training includes:

  • purpose of the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act;

  • how to interact and communicate with people with various types of disabilities;

  • how to interact with people with disabilities who use an assistive device; and

  • what to do if a person with a disability is having difficulty in accessing our organization’s information or services.

We train every person as soon as practicable after being hired, and provide training in respect to any changes to company policies.

We maintain records of the training provided including the dates on which the training was provided and the number of individuals to whom it was provided.

Assistive Devices

People with disabilities may use their personal assistive devices when accessing our services. Our online learning projects are designed to be accessible with assistive technology.

We ensure that our employees, contractors, and clients are familiar with various assistive devices.

Feedback Process

KnowledgeNow welcomes feedback on how we provide accessible service. Feedback will help us identify barriers and respond to concerns.

Feedback may be provided by:

  • Sending an email to info@knowledgenow.ca.

  • Submitting a comment via the contact form on our website.

  • Contacting KnowledgeNow via any of its social media accounts (Linked In, Instagram, Facebook).

Those who provide feedback can expect to hear back within 7 days.

KnowledgeNow ensures our feedback process is accessible to people with disabilities by providing or arranging for accessible formats and communication supports upon request.

Employment

Accommodations can be made during recruitment and hiring. We notify job applicants when they are individually selected to participate in an assessment or selection process that accommodations are available upon request. As a remote-work company, accommodations focus on online interaction and work, but we consult with the applicants and provide or arrange for suitable accommodation.

We notify successful applicants of policies for accommodating employees with disabilities when making offers of employment.

We notify staff that supports are available for those with disabilities as soon as practicable after they begin their employment. We provide updated information to employees whenever there is a change to existing policies on the provision of job accommodation that take into account an employee’s accessibility needs due to a disability.

We will consult with employees when arranging for the provision of suitable accommodations in a manner that takes into account the accessibility needs due to disability. We will consult with the person making the request in determining the suitability of an accessible format or communication supports specifically in order to perform the employee’s job.