AODA Self-Certified Accessibility Report - October 2023

General 

1. Has your organization created and implemented written policies on how to achieve accessibility by meeting all applicable accessibility requirements in the IASR?

YES. Comments: The AGCO has developed a multi-year accessibility plan (MYAP), which has been developed in accordance with the Integrated Accessibility Standards Regulation (IASR). The MYAP outlines the AGCO's commitment and strategy to prevent and remove barriers, improve opportunities for persons with disabilities, and address the current and future requirements of the AODA.

In accordance with the IASR, the AGCO is committed to: 

(1)    Reporting annually on its MYAP implementation progress and its ongoing strategy to prevent and remove barriers. Updates to the MYAP are posted on the AGCO website.
(2)    Providing all information relating to the MY AP in alternative formats upon request.
(3)    Reviewing and updating the MY AP in consultation with persons with disabilities at least once every five years.

This plan can be found on the AGCO website on our accessibility page using the following link: https://www.agco.ca/about-agco/online-services-accessibility/accessibility  

2. Has your organization established and implemented a multi-year accessibility plan?

YES.

2.a. Does your organization have a website? 

YES. Comments: AGCO controls the following websites:

https://agco.ca 
https://hrappealpanel.ca&nbsp ;

2.a.i. Is your organization's accessibility plan posted on your organization's website?

YES. Comments: The multi-year accessibility plan (MYAP) can be found on the AGCO website on our accessibility page using the following link: https://www.agco.ca/about-agco/online-services­-accessibility/accessibility

The AGCO Business Plan also includes a section on the MYAP, which includes the AGCO's strategy to prevent and remove barriers and meet the requirements under the IASR. The Business Plan is also posted on the AGCO website and can be viewed using the following link: https://www.agco.ca/annual-reports-and-business-plan  

Please note, the administration of the Horse Racing Appeal Panel (HRAP) website falls under the purview of the AGCO.

Although the MYAP is published on the AGCO's website, the policies and strategies outlined in the plan are equally applicable to the HRAP website. 

2.a.ii. Does your organization provide the accessibility plan in an accessible format when requested? 

YES. Comments: The Accessibility Plan is always available in accessible format (html - machine readable) on the website: https://www.agco.ca/accessibility-plan-and-policies&nbsp ;

In addition to this and upon request, the AGCO can provide copies of the plan in other accessible formats. 

2.b. Does your organization update the accessibility plan at least once every 5 years?

YES. Comments:  This plan is reviewed by divisions across the agency on an annual basis. It was last reviewed in October 2023. 

The status of the progress in implementing strategies outlined in AGCO's accessibility plans is documented in AGCO's Annual Business Plan found online: https://www.agco.ca/annual-reports­and-business-plan

3. Does your organization provide appropriate training on:

3.a The AODA Integrated Accessibility Standards Regulation? 

YES. Comments: All AGCO employees including new hires complete an online, self-directed training on the AODA and the IASR within their first two weeks of employment.

3.b The Human Rights Code as it pertains to people with disabilities?

YES. Comments: In accordance with the IASR, the AGCO ensures that all AGCO employees, volunteers and other persons who participate in developing policies and/or who provide goods, services or facilities on behalf of the AGCO, are trained on the requirements of Ontario's accessibility laws by providing training on the IASR and on the Human Rights Code as it relates to persons with disabilities. 

Information and communications

4. Does your organization have a process for receiving and responding to feedback that is accessible to people with disabilities?

YES.

4.a. Does your organization notify the public about the availability of accessible formats and communications supports with respect to the feedback process?

YES. Comments: The AGCO has established and maintained a feedback process. Please see: https://www.agco.ca/customer-service-standards&nbsp ;

The complaints and inquiry process offers the opportunity to provide feedback. This process can be accessed digitally via iAGCO in an AODA complaint format as well as via telephone or scheduled in person appointment through the contact centre. 

In addition to this, if customers require further support, the AGCO will provide and arrange for the provision of accessible formats and communications. 

5. Does your organization have one (or more) website(s) which it controls directly or indirectly ('controls' means that your organization is able to add. remove and/or modify content and functionality of the website)?

YES.

5.a Do all your organization's internet websites conform to World Wide Web Consortium Web Content Accessibility Guidelines 2.0 Level AA (except for live captions and pre-recorded audio descriptions)?

YES. Comments: The AGCO currently meets, and will ensure it continues to meet, the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) 2.0, Level AA, in regards to any of its websites and web content on those sites. AGCO controls the following websites:

The AGCO has digital presence in the following private platforms: X, Linkedin and Vimeo. All content posted by the AGCO meets WCAG 2.0, Level AA guidelines. 

Customer Service

6. Does your organization provide training about providing goods, services or facilities to persons with disabilities to the following?

  • Staff and volunteers

  • People involved in developing accessibility policies

  • People providing goods, services or facilities on behalf of the organization

YES.

6.a  Does the training include all of the following:

  • A review of the purposes of the AODA?

  • A review of the purposes of the Customer Service Standards?

  • How to interact and communicate with persons with various types of disability?

  • How to interact with persons with disabilities who use an assistive device or require the assistance of a guide dog or other service animal or the assistance of a support person?

  • How to use equipment or devices available on the provider's premises or otherwise provided by the provider that may help with the provision of goods, services or facilities to a person with a disability?

  • What to do if a person with a particular type of disability is having difficulty accessing the provider's goods, services or facilities?

YES. Comments: As required by Ontario Regulation 191 /11, the AGCO ensures all mandatory topics are covered in the training provided to staff and volunteers, people involved in developing accessibility policies and people providing goods, services or facilities on behalf of the organization. 

Please use the following link to view section 10 of the AGCO's Customer Service Policy Statement which provides further details on AGCO's training topics: https://www.agco.ca/ accessible-customer-service-policy-statement 

7. Does your organization provide information in an accessible format?

YES. 

7.a Is the provision of information in accessible format done so in a timely manner that takes into account the individual's disability?

YES. Comments: In fulfilling its mission, the AGCO strives at all times to provide accessible customer service to persons with disabilities. 

On the AGCO's Accessible Customer Service Policy Statement (https://www.agco.ca/ accessible-customer-service-policy-statement): 

  • Item 7.3 b: "The AGCO will make reasonable efforts to respond to requests for documents in accessible formats in a timely manner. " 
  • Item 9 d: "The AGCO will make reasonable efforts to respond to requests for documents in alternate formats in a timely manner." 

7.b Is the provision of information in accessible format at a cost no more than the regular cost charged to other persons? 

YES. Comments: The AGCO provides information in accessible format to the general public at no cost.

8. Does your organization ever require a person with a disability to be accompanied by a support person when on your premises?

YES.

8.a Does your organization do all of the following before requiring a person with a disability to be accompanied by a support person on your premises: 

  • Consult with the person with a disability?

  • Determine a support person is necessary to protect the health or safety of the person with a disability or others on premises?

  • Determine that there is no other way to protect the health or safety of the person with a disability or others on premises?

YES. Comments: The AGCO may deem it necessary to require a support person for a person with a disability in order to protect the health and safety of that person or of others on the premises. This will only occur after the AGCO has: 

  • Consulted with the person with a disability to understand their needs;
  • Considered health and/or safety reasons based on available evidence; and
  • Determined there is no other reasonable means to protect the health and/or safety of the person or others on the premises.

Please refer to section 7.6 of the AGCO's Customer Service Policy Statement for further details: https://www.agco.ca/accessible-customer-service-policy-statement&nbsp ;

Employment

9. Does your organization employ any persons with disabilities for whom you have provided individualized workplace emergency response information?

NO.

Design of Public Spaces

10. Since January 1, 2017, has your organization constructed new or redeveloped any of the following items? *

  • Outdoor public use eating areas

  • Outdoor play space

  • Off-street parking

  • Service counter

  • Fixed queuing guides

  • Waiting areas

NO.

AODA

11. Is your organization a municipality with population of 10,000 or more?

NO.