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Accessibility Plan

Home Accessibility Plan

New United Goderich Inc. (NUGI) has and continues to recognize the importance of accessibility and equal opportunity employment as a fundamental right for all individuals including those with a disability.  As a result, we stand behind our belief in the principle of equal access to information, services and opportunities for all and strive to create a fully inclusive environment for people involved in all areas of NUGI.

By following the Accessible Canada Act (ACA) and the regulations contained within the Accessible Canada Regulations (ACR) we are committed to the inclusion and equitable treatment of people with disabilities proactively through the identification, prevention and elimination of all barriers to accessibility at NUGI.

NUGI would like to hear from people with disabilities whether they are employees, clients, customers, vendors or shareholders.   All feedback on accessibility is welcome at NUGI, regardless of whether or not it is anonymous.  All feedback received will be carefully reviewed and we will work to address and remove all barriers identified through this process with the aim of preventing future barriers whenever possible.

NUGI can be contacted through any of the following:

NUGI’s Human Resource Representative will be responsible for the managing of the accessibility feedback received and can be reached by filling out the form on the website or through email at hr@newunitedgoderich.com

A complete description of our feedback process and the associated submission form can be found on our website at https://www.newunitedgoderich.com/

To obtain a copy of our Accessibility Plan or our Feedback Process Description, please use the contact information above to complete the request.  The Accessibility Plan and our Feedback Process Description is available in the following formats:

We will provide the information in the format requested as soon as possible once the request has been submitted.  Please note that Braille and Audio formats may take up to 45 days for delivery.  Print, large print and electronic formats may take up to 20 days to complete the request.

Consultations

New United Goderich Inc. has consulted with our employee group to obtain assistance in identifying areas within our company which may contain barriers to people with a disability and that would affect or detract from their ability to access information, service and opportunities at NUGI.  In an effort to acquire this information we distributed an anonymous online survey to all employees asking for employees with disabilities to provide feedback on any issues that may be present within the company.  The survey was active from June 12, 2025, through September 1, 2025. 

The survey contained the following questions:

The survey resulted in one submission with limited information and no identified barriers.

Employment

We at NUGI have identified the following barriers that relate to employment at our company:

  1. Our job postings do not mention our commitment to accessibility and inclusion, nor do they make it known that disability related accommodations will be made upon request.
  2. Our job postings do not outline the process for requesting disability related accommodations when applying for a position within NUGI.
  3. NUGI Managers/Supervisors and Human Resource staff are not required to participate in training related to accessibility and inclusion.

NUGI has made a commitment to address and remove the barriers identified above by completing the following:

  1. We will add appropriate text to all job postings indicating our commitment to accessibility and inclusion which is to be completed within a six month period.
  2. We will also include information in all our job postings that describe the process to follow for requesting accommodations during the application and hiring process.  We will also provide some examples of accommodations that may be requested including but not limited to: sign language interpreter for a job interview, increased time to complete training/testing, and permitting a service animal to attend the interview with the prospective employee.
  3. All Managers/Supervisors and Human Resource Staff will be required to complete training on accessibility and inclusion.  The training will include information on proper hiring processes, providing accommodations and the need to provide employees with disabilities with equal opportunities to advance their careers.  This training will be completed within one year.

The Built Environment

Through a review of our buildings, NUGI has identified the following barriers related to facility accessibility:

  1. NUGI buildings do not provide access to the second floor for people with mobility issues.
  2. The doors accessing the NUGI reception area do not have accessibility buttons which limit access to the building for people with mobility issues.
  3. The NUGI fire alarm system does not have a visual warning to alert a person with a hearing impairment of a fire.

Upon the identification of the above barriers, NUGI has committed to completing the following:

  1. Ensuring all meetings, information and training sessions, interviews etc. have the ability to be facilitated on the main floor of the building upon request for accommodation.  This information to be communicated to all employees and a strategy set in place within six months.
  2. Currently, there is no need for accessibility buttons at NUGI, however NUGI will quote and install the appropriate equipment should such an accommodation be needed.
  3. Currently, there is no need for visual fire alarm warnings at NUGI, however NUGI will quote and install the appropriate equipment should such an accommodation be needed.

Information and Communications Technologies

NUGI has identified the following barriers related to accessibility related to Information and Communications Technologies:

  1. Our company website does not provide descriptive audio, captions or transcripts for videos that are displayed on the site.  Website does not meet the World Wide Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG).
  2. Our conference room and training room are not equipped with assisted listening devices to assist people with hearing aids, cochlear implants or other hearing impairments.
  3. Telephone system does not provide for an assisted listening device or captioning for the inclusion of people with hearing impairment.

To adhere to our commitment to accessibility and inclusion, NUGI will complete the following in response to the identification of the barriers listed above:

  1. Website will be reviewed and updated to ensure compliance with WCAG 2.0 and remove all barriers related to accessibility.  Website upgrade to be completed within one year.
  2. Conference and Training rooms to be outfitted with an audio induction loop or similar technology to provide for the inclusion of people with hearing impairments.  This is to be completed within one year.
  3. Phone system is to be updated to prepare for an accommodation request to remove barriers for hearing impairment within one year.  This may include having amplified handsets available, utilizing an IP Relay Service to transcribe the conversation or implementing a Video Relay Service to sign the conversation between the user and the third party.

Communication, Other Than Information and Communications Technologies

NUGI has identified the following barriers to Communication with the company:

  1. Company records, manuals and common use forms are all exclusively in print form, available in one size print only.
  2. Front line staff have not received training on serving customers, vendors or potential employees with communication disabilities.
  3. Meetings are held without the ability to have a sign language interpreter available or to have information presented displayed by the use of captions.

In order to remove the barriers identified above, NUGI will complete the following:

  1. Provide training to all employees on making documents available in various formats as well as outlining the steps to take to request an alternate format should the need arise.  This training to be completed within six months.
  2. Front line staff to complete training on how to serve customers, vendors and potential employees with communication disabilities.   This training to be completed within six months.
  3. NUGI will develop business contacts with the appropriate personnel (sign language interpreter, captioning services etc.) to ensure that these strategies are available should a request for accommodation be made.  Training is to be provided to all employees on the steps to take to request accommodations during meetings to ensure that the information is able to be received accurately.  This is to be completed within six months.

Procurement of Goods, Services and Facilities

The following barriers to accessibility have been identified at NUGI related to the procurement of goods and services:

  1. Our policies on contractors and vendors do not address the issue of whether the goods and services provided by outside parties will be accessible and barrier free.

NUGI will complete the following to ensure the removal of barriers related to the procurement of goods, services and facilities:

  1. NUGI policies will be updated to ensure that contractors and vendors are required to provide information to us on how the products and services they provide will be accessible to all employees.  This is to be completed within one year.

Design and Delivery of Programs and Services

Upon review of programs and services provided by NUGI, the following barriers have been identified.

  1. SDS information provided is available in print form only.
  2. Training programs do not allow for employees with hearing or visual impairments to participate fully in the training.
  3. NUGI does not have a policy on providing accessible, barrier free customer service.

In order to remove the above identified barriers, NUGI will complete the following:

  1. SDS provider to be contacted to see if they can provide the SDS information in alternate formats including audio and braille.  To be completed within six months.
  2. Training programs to be updated to include accommodations for people with accessibility issues.  To be completed within one year
  3. Policy to be developed on providing accessible, barrier free customer service.  NUGI will see input from people with disabilities in developing this policy to ensure that our customer service is properly addressing the needs of all third party interactions.  Front line staff and Managers/Supervisors to receive training on this policy once completed.  This is to be completed within one year.

Transportation

In reviewing company areas related to transportation, NUGI has identified the following barriers:

  1. When travelling for work related purposes, our policies do not ensure that an employee’s travel accessibility needs will be met when needed (ie: accessible taxis, accessible seating on an aircraft, support animals able to accompany the employee etc.)
  2. Company vehicle(s) are not currently wheelchair accessible.

To address the removal of the preceding barriers to accessibility, NUGI will complete the following:

  1. Update company policies to ensure employees travelling for work related purposes are able to request accommodations required and that NUGI will ensure that these accommodations are met during their travel.  Policy will include steps to take when requesting an accommodation.  Training on the policy update will occur for all staff.  This is to be completed within one year.
  2. Currently there is no need for a wheelchair accessible vehicle at NUGI, however NUGI will update company policies to indicate that an accessible taxi will be provided should such an accommodation be needed.  Training on policy update to be provided to all staff.  This is to be completed within six months.

Conclusion

New United Goderich Inc. remains committed to the removal of barriers to provide accessibility and inclusion in the workplace to all persons with a disability.  We will continue to monitor the barriers identified in this plan as well as our company as whole and work to identify additional barriers in an effort to remove all accessibility issues.

Managers/Supervisors, Senior Managers and Human Resource staff will have accountability measures included in their annual performance reviews in order to measure progress towards the development and maintenance of a fully inclusive workplace.

Progress Reports will be published annually to document gains made towards the removal of barriers.  Progress Reports are available on request, subject to procurement deadlines based on the format requested. Through our dedication to inclusivity and the removal of barriers to create an accessible workplace, New United Goderich Inc. welcomes all feedback related to accessibility and inclusion, including anonymous submissions.  All feedback will be carefully reviewed and included in future Accessibility Plan updates and/or Progress Reports.