Connelly Communications Corporation
Accessibility Plan
2023
General:
Connelly Communications is committed to building a culture of inclusivity and accessibility. We believe opening access within our company to all will contribute to a barrier-free Canada. We are committed to providing the best possible experience for employees, customers and our listeners with our facilities and our product.
Connelly Communications is committed to continuously developing our accessibility plan to ensure the removal and prevention of any barriers within our company. Our accessibility plan will guide our organization in meeting our accessibility commitments.
Connelly Communications began requesting online feedback on our accessibility plan in 2022 through our websites. The contact person for the accessibility plan is: Rob Connelly, President, Connelly Communications by email: robin@cjklfm.com or by telephone: 705-567-3366.
Through staff discussions, we also reviewed any potential barriers current and future staff may face as part of their employment in our facilities. Our a company, we remain committed to ensuring we employ the best people for any and all positions regardless of any disability.
Through staff discussions, we reviewed all aspects of how we serve the public. We agreed that one of the ways our company could contribute to improving accessibility information is to ensure we provide local news coverage of matters dealing with accessibility and inclusivity.
A summary of initial commitments:
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Improving the attraction of persons with disabilities to jobs in our company.
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Improving communication with our on-air staff regarding the importance of educating the public on the importance of accessibility.
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Management will implement necessary financial commitments to improve accessibility.
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Initiating processes where accessibilities is considered when reviewing all company policies and procedures.
Addressing Areas Identified in the Accessible Canada Act:
Employment:
barrier: lack of applications from persons with disabilities
actions: our company educates hiring managers on accessibility and how they can ensure a barrier-free hiring, selection and accommodation process.
Built Environment:
barrier: access to one of our studios is only available through the use of stairs and could impact people of disabilities.
actions: although our studios are closed to the public, we have placed a sign at the bottom of the stairs for anyone with accessibility issues to call a phone number to receive immediate assistance from staff.
In addition, we have made arrangements that anything guests or customers would do in studio or in our building can be done remotely.
ICT Information & Communication Technologies:
Due to the small size of our company, we do not have our own IT department and have not identified IT-related obstacles for people with disabilities.
actions: any required software will be introduced should it be required for any current or future employees with disabilities.
Communication Other Than ICT:
barrier: our company does not have a consistent process to ensure alternate formats of communication that it issues to employees
actions: we will identify service providers who can create alternate formats when needed
Procurement of Goods, Services & Facilities:
barrier: our company’s procurement procedures and practices do not take into consideration accessibility requirements.
actions: our company will include accessibility checks when buying goods and services as required
Design & Delivery of Programs & Services:
barrier: currently there is no standard approach for ensuring all programs, processes and services have taken accessibility into account
actions: our company will develop guidelines to consider accessibility issues when reviewing company policies, programs and services
Transportation:
Our company does not coordinate a transportation system as defined in the Accessible Canada Act and therefore that standards for transportation do not impact our company.
Consultations:
Our company gathered feedback from as staff as we developed an accessibility plan through 1 on 1 discussions. Due to the limited amount of input and lack of responses to our request for public input, we relied on information posted online by other media companies and determined how any of their policies could be relatable to our company.
In addition, we reviewed material from:
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Alliance for Equality of Blind Canadians
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Canadian Association of the Deaf
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Canadian Foundation for Physically Disabled Persons
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Council of Canadians with Disabilities
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Inclusion Canada
Definitions:
Accessibility: Refers to the needs of persons with disabilities being intentionally and thoughtfully considered when products, services and facilities are built or modified so they can be used and enjoyed by persons 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 a 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.”
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Connelly Communications is in compliance with Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG).
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