Accessibility Plan and Policies for Pearson Canada

This 2014–21 accessibility plan outlines the policies and actions that Pearson Canada will put in place to improve opportunities for people with disabilities.

Statement of Commitment

Pearson Canada is committed to treating all people in a way that allows them to maintain their dignity and independence. We believe in integration and equal opportunity. We are committed to meeting the needs of people with disabilities in a timely manner, and will do so by preventing and removing barriers to accessibility and meeting accessibility requirements under the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act.

Accessible Emergency Information

Pearson Canada is committed to providing the customers and clients with publicly available emergency information in an accessible way upon request. We will also provide employees with disabilities with individualized emergency response information when necessary.

Training

Pearson Canada will provide training to employees, volunteers and other staff members on Ontario’s accessibility laws and on the Human Rights Code as it relates to people with disabilities. Training will be provided in a way that best suits the duties of employees, volunteers and other staff members.

Pearson Canada will take the following steps to ensure employees are provided with the training needed to meet Ontario’s accessible laws by January 1, 2015:

  • All employees and volunteers will complete online training through Pearson’s Learning Management System (MILO) on accessible customer service and the Ontario Human Rights Code.

Kiosks

Pearson Canada will take the following steps to ensure employees consider the needs of people with disabilities when designing, procuring or acquiring self-service kiosks by January 1, 2014:

  • Marketing and Communications will ensure that all self-service kiosks used within the organization or during tradeshows have accessibility features.

Information and Communications

Pearson Canada is committed to meeting the communication needs of people with disabilities. We will consult with people with disabilities to determine their information and communication needs.
Pearson Canada will take the following steps to make all new websites and content on those sites conform to WCAG 2.0, Level A by January 1, 2014:

  • Our websites are WCAG 2.0 Level A compliant and all new content will consider accessibility.

Pearson Canada will take the following steps to make ensure existing feedback processes are accessible to people with disabilities upon request by January 1, 2015:

  • Our feedback received through accessibility@pearsoncanada.com and through all other means is reviewed and actioned upon by the appropriate department.
  • Feedback is accepted in person, by phone, by email and in written formats.

Pearson Canada will take the following steps to make sure all publicly available information is made accessible upon request by January 1, 2016:

  • Accessible formats can be requested of any publicly available policy, procedure or information.
  • Our Publishing team will review product accessibility with new products and will provide accessible formats on request by any teaching institution that may use this as a learning material.
  • Our Publishing team with work with AERO to assist with managing a repository of accessible documents used for learning.
  • Pearson Canada's internal Accessibility team will develop the necessary evaluative expertise to provide guidance to our vendors and content development stakeholders in order to ensure our products are compliant and accessible to users with disabilities. See the Pearson Canada Accessibility Roadmap (see Appendix A) for more details.

Pearson Canada will take the following steps to make all websites and content conform to WCAG 2.0, Level AA by January 1, 2021:

  • Our Website team will ensure that our website updates and content meet WCAG level AA compliance by 2021.

Employment

Pearson Canada is committed to fair and accessible employment practices. We will take the following steps to notify the public and employees that, when requested:
Pearson Canada will accommodate people with disabilities during the recruitment and assessment processes and when people are hired:

  • The applicant/candidate can request accommodation in the recruitment, hiring processes through the Human Resources contact.

Pearson Canada will take the following steps to develop and put in place a process for developing individual accommodation plans and return-to-work policies for employees that have been absent due to a disability:

  • Pearson Canada has a comprehensive return to work and accommodations policy and procedure in place for all employees requiring accommodations in the workplace.
  • The employee is responsible to identify the need for accommodation to the manager or Human Resources contact.

We will take the following steps to ensure the accessibility needs of employees with disabilities needs are taken into account if Pearson Canada is using performance management, career development and redeployment processes:

  • All managers will consider accessibility needs of employees during any employment process including performance management, career development and redeployment.
  • The Human Resources team will assist managers and employees in developing suitable accommodation plans where requested.

Pearson Canada will take the following steps to prevent and remove other accessibility barriers identified:

  • Ongoing task forces and reviews will occur to ensure that Pearson Canada will continually remove barriers to customers and employees with disabilities. This plan will be reviewed annually and ongoing improvements and changes will be considered throughout the planning process.

Design of Public Spaces

Pearson Canada will meet the Accessibility Standards for the Design of Public Spaces when building or making major modifications to public spaces. Public spaces include:

  • Recreational trails/beach access routes
  • Outdoor public eating areas like rest stops or picnic areas
  • Outdoor play spaces, like playgrounds in provincial parks and local communities Outdoor paths of travel, like sidewalks, ramps, stairs, curb ramps, rest areas and accessible pedestrian signals
  • Accessible off street parking
  • Service-related elements like service counters, fixed queuing lines and waiting areas

Pearson Canada will put the following procedures in place to prevent service disruptions to its accessible parts of its public spaces.

  • The Facilities department will ensure that maintenance and ongoing building changes will consider persons with disabilities. Any disruption of service will be communicated to the public through our regular communications systems and through signage onsite.

In the event of a service disruption, we will notify the public of the service disruption and alternatives available.

For more information

For more information on this accessibility plan or for accessible formats of this document, please contact our Accessibility Coordinator at: