Accessibility Plan

General

For those who wish to provide feedback on Starboard’s accessibility, our Office Manager will receive this feedback as follows:

Telephone: 613-966-0955
Email: linda@hits955.ca
In Person: 497 Dundas Street West, Belleville, Ontario, K8P 1B7
Feedback form: Click here

Executive Summary

Starboard Communications Ltd. is a broadcasting company which owns Hits 95.5 FM, Cool 100.1 FM & InQuinte.ca. We are committed to providing a barrier-free environment for all stakeholders, whenever possible, including clients, employees, job applicants, suppliers, and any visitors who enter the premises, access information provided by the company, or use the company’s goods or services.

We have not consulted with people with disabilities for our plan. However, we have identified some barriers to people with disabilities including not being handicap accessible. When we do any renovations, we will attempt to ameliorate these barriers. While there are currently some physical barriers, we can make accommodations if required.

Accessibility Statement

Starboard Communications Ltd. is committed to providing a barrier-free environment for all stakeholders who enter the premises, access information provided by the company, or use the company’s goods and services.

The company will work to identify and remove barriers and prevent new barriers, for persons with disabilities as they relate to employment, communication, the built environment, and transportation at Starboard Communications ltd.

It should be noted that we have never had a complaint regarding accessibility from employees, clients, or the public.

Employment

There are several barriers to accessible employment including, but not limited to, stigma of self identification, absence of accessibility leadership, underrepresentation of employees with disabilities, poor communication related to accessibility, inadequate training and guidance, and lack of support and funding for accessibility.

At Starboard Communications, we have tried to de-stigmatize self identification and make accommodations where necessary. Starboard Communications Ltd. does not have much turnover in staff, and often we hire new employees through word of mouth. We would be able to accommodate most disabilities at this time.

Our staff are required to complete Accessibility training once a year. We have a feedback process in place for our staff if they feel we are doing an inadequate job in the area of accessibility.

The Built Environment

The building is wheelchair accessible, however at this time we do not have a handicap accessible washroom and the second floor is only accessible by stairs. The second floor is used for the actual broadcasting and if required, we can make one of the 1^st floor offices into a studio. As well, if a handicapped client requires use of a broadcast booth, a temporary booth can be set up on the first floor. It is financially unfeasible to make our second floor accessible at this time. If we renovate our bathrooms, we will make one handicap accessible.

We do not have any physically handicapped employees at this time; however, our current barriers would not preclude us from hiring a physically handicapped person.

It should also be noted that as a Broadcasting Company, we are a private business that does not cater to the public on our premises. Any accessibility concerns focus on employees, clients, and service people.

Information and Communication Technologies

Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs) is a broader term for Information Technology (IT). It refers to all communication technologies, including the internet, wireless networks, cell phones, computers, software, middleware, videoconferencing, social networking, and other media applications and services enabling users to access, retrieve, store, transmit, and manipulate information in a digital form.

ICT barriers are created when ICT is not designed to be inclusive, with a broad range of users in mind. This can make it difficult or impossible for some persons with disabilities to send an email or use everyday technology like a phone. ICT barriers can also prevent individuals from accessing and benefitting from services and programs.

Starboard Communications Ltd. is in the communications business. Information can be obtained on our stations through the radio. Information can also be accessed on our website and social media pages. Currently, these pages are not accessible to the visually or hearing impaired. Depending on cost, we will work on making sure that our websites and social media pages can work with assistive devices and that accessibility features are enabled.

Communication (other than ICT)

This refers to the ways people share and access information beyond the realm of Information and Communications Technologies (ICT). This includes, but is not limited to:

• Language Choice (Messaging): Whether it’s spoken, written, or signed language, the way we express ourselves impacts effective communication.

• Use of Interpreters: Interpreters play and important role when people who speak different languages need to communicate.

• Meeting Formats: The format of meetings affects how information is shared (face to face virtual, phone, etc.)

• Visual Communications: Visual aids enhance communications.

• Documents: Handwritten or digital documents are a common form of communication.

Starboard Communications uses different forms of communications for both inter and intra office communications. We currently have no accessibility issues with communications.

Procurement of goods, services, and facilities

Starboard Communications Ltd. has not reviewed accessibility issues in the past when procuring good, services and facilities. In the future when buying and acquiring goods, services, or facilities, we will use the following guidelines to ensure we are meeting accessibility standards.

Goods

Can the product be used, for example, by someone:
- in a seated position?
- using one hand, with limited upper body strength?
- with limited fine motor skills?
- with vision loss or low vision?
- with hearing loss?
- with limited cognitive ability/memory?
- if accompanied by a service animal?
Does the product meet ergonomic standards?
Can the product be customized to meet different needs?
Are instructions for using the product clear and easy to follow?
Are support materials (e.g., manuals or training materials) available in accessible formats at no extra charge?

Services

Does the firm provide accessible customer service?
Can the service provider accommodate the needs of people of all abilities? For example, if you are hiring someone to do research for you, do their surveys and interviews accommodate people with different types of disabilities?
Will the company use accessible signage, audio and/or print materials? For example, if you are hiring an event coordinator, will they use high contrast signs for the event?

Facilities

Can someone using a mobility aid (e.g., wheelchair or walker) move around the facility?
Are signs placed at an accessible height?
Does the facility have emergency procedures to assist people with disabilities?

Design and delivery of programs and services

Common areas where people with disabilities may experience barriers to accessibility in the design and delivery of accessible programs and services including customer service. These include, but are not limited to:

Costs related to programs and services.
Policies that do not take accessibility into account
Attitudinal barriers
Accessibility of information
Customer service
Accessibility of buildings and outdoor spaces
Communication with providers
Accessibility of technology and systems

At Starboard Communications Ltd., our main service is Radio Broadcasting, more specifically, providing a source of music, news, and entertainment. Unfortunately, we are not designed for the hearing impaired, however, those who are hearing impaired can access our websites and social media pages to get much of the information that is broadcast over the air.

Transportation

Starboard Communications Ltd. understands that transportation can be a barrier for employees and customers. While we do not provide transportation at this time, we can do so if required. We are also able to offer employees a work at home option if transportation is an issue.

Accessibility Feedback

The purpose of this policy is to ensure that the processes for receiving and responding to feedback are accessible to persons with disabilities by providing or arranging for the provision of accessible formats and communications supports upon request. This policy applies to clients and employees, of Starboard Communications Ltd. (“Starboard”) and any contractors and subcontractors engaged by Starboard.

Definitions

“Accessible formats” may include, but are not limited to, large print, recorded audio, and electronic formats.

“Accessible information and communications” mean considering accessibility and all ability levels when planning information and communications and giving people adequate time to process and reply to information provided.

“Accommodation” means the special arrangements made or assistance provided so that persons with disabilities can participate in the experiences available to persons without disabilities. Accommodation will vary depending on the person’s unique needs.

“Communication supports” may include supports that facilitate effective communications.

“Communications” means the interaction between two or more persons or entities, or any combination of them, where information is provided, sent, or received.

“Dignity” means that service is provided in a way that allows the individual to maintain self-respect and the respect of other persons.

“Disability” means: (a) Any degree of physical disability, infirmity, malformation or disfigurement that is caused by bodily injury, birth defect or illness and, without limiting the generality of the foregoing, includes diabetes mellitus, epilepsy, a brain injury, any degree of paralysis, amputation, lack of physical coordination, blindness or visual impediment, deafness or hearing impediment, muteness or speech impediment, or reliance on a service animal or on a wheelchair or other remedial appliance or device (b) A condition of mental impairment or a developmental disability (c) A learning disability or a dysfunction in one or more of the processes involved in understanding or using symbols or spoken language (d) A mental disorder (e) An injury or disability for which benefits were claimed or received under the insurance plan established under the Workplace Safety and Insurance Act, 1997 The foregoing definition includes disabilities of differing severity, whether visible or non-visible and whether temporary or permanent in nature.

“Equal opportunity” means that service is provided to individuals in such a way that they have an opportunity to access goods or services equal to that given to others.

“Independence” means when a person is able to do things on their own without unnecessary help or interference from others.

“Information” includes data, facts and knowledge that exists in any format, including text, audio, digital or images and that conveys meaning.

“Integration” means that service is provided in a way that allows the individual to benefit from equivalent services, in the same place, and in the same or similar way, as other individuals, unless an alternate measure is necessary to enable the individual to access goods or services.

“Internet website” means a collection of related web pages, images, videos, or other digital assets that are addressed relative to a common Uniform Resource Identifier (URI) and is accessible to the public.

“Reasonable efforts” means taking approaches that meet the required needs of the individual.

“Web Page” means a non-embedded resource obtained from a single Uniform Resource Identifier (URI) using Hypertext Transfer Protocol (HTTP) and any other resources that are used in the rendering or intended to be rendered together with it by a user agent.

Responsibility

Supervisors are responsible for ensuring that all employees follow the guidelines set out in this policy. Supervisors are also responsible to ensure all employees are trained under the Accessibility Regulations and Standards under the AODA, the Human Rights Code and all related policies, practices, and procedures. All employees, contractors and subcontractors, and any other person acting on behalf of Starboard are responsible for adhering to and following the guidelines set out in this policy.

Policy

The Accessible Canada Act came into force on July 11, 2019. The regulation establishes accessibility standards for Information and Communications. Starboard is included in the regulation’s definition of an “obligated organization” and must comply with the feedback requirements of the regulation beginning June 1, 2023. Upon request, Starboard will provide or will arrange for the provision of accessible formats and communication supports in its feedback processes to ensure that these processes are accessible to persons with disabilities in a timely manner. Starboard will notify the public about the availability of this feedback process in accessible formats and with communication supports. Starboard encourages and appreciates feedback and comments on the manner in which it provides its information and communications to people with disabilities.

Procedure

Starboard has developed a process and form for clients and the public to provide feedback on how the organization is providing accessible information and communication that meets their needs. That process includes how we respond to such feedback in a timely manner. The process consists of the following:

Information will be posted at Starboard’s office and placed on our websites inviting users of its services or the public to provide feedback on their experience with, or concerns about the information and communications.
Printed information is available inviting people with disabilities to provide feedback on their experience or concerns about the accessibility of Starboard’s information and communications and documentation used. The Accessibility Feedback Form is used for that purpose. This form can be emailed, faxed, or mailed.
Information will be posted at Starboard’s office and placed on our websites inviting users of its services or the public to provide feedback on their experience with, or concerns about the information and communications.
Printed information is available inviting people with disabilities to provide feedback on their experience or concerns about the accessibility of Starboard’s information and communications and documentation used. The Accessibility Feedback Form is used for that purpose. This form can be emailed, faxed, or mailed.

Electronically (by email) by clicking here
In-person and verbally, at our offices at 497 Dundas St. W, Belleville, Ontario
By telephone at 613-966-0955
In any other format necessary that meets the need of the person with a disability

Regardless of which process is used to provide feedback, the Accessibility Feedback Form will be used to record and track feedback. The form will either be filled in directly by the person providing the feedback or by the person receiving the feedback. Employees must ensure that feedback provided is dealt with immediately. Some feedback may, however, require more time to address and may need to be reviewed before an action is taken. Starboard will respond to the feedback using the same format in which it was received. Individuals providing feedback can expect a response within thirty (30) business days. Complaints will be addressed according to procedures already established in Starboard’s complaint policies and procedures. Starboard will not impose any additional charge for information provided in accessible formats in excess of the regular cost charged to other persons. Employees must record and retain all feedback received and note when it was submitted, how it was submitted, who received the feedback, what was requested, when and how it was dealt with, by whom and when, and if the feedback was dealt with to the satisfaction of the client. This policy has been developed to provide accessible services to clients with disabilities. If anyone has a question about this policy, or if the purpose of the policy is not understood, an explanation will be provided by contacting the Human Resources Manager of Starboard. This policy will be available on Starboard’s websites. This policy is available in an alternative format upon request.