888.525.4662
contact@northernins.ca

Accessibility

Last updated: November 26, 2021

Accessibility Plan

Northern Insurance Brokers Inc. will continue to develop operational policies, best practices and provide guidance to employees with regards to Accessibility. This plan outlines the policies and actions that Northern Insurance Brokers Inc. will put in place to improve opportunities for people with disabilities.

Statement of Commitment

Northern Insurance Brokers Inc. is committed to meeting and exceeding expectations while serving all clients. We pride ourselves on treating everyone in a way that allows them to maintain their dignity and independence and to meet the needs of people with disabilities in a timely manner. We do this by preventing and removing barriers to accessibility in compliance with the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act.

Accessible Emergency Information

Northern Insurance Brokers Inc. is committed to providing 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

Northern Insurance Brokers Inc. promotes and facilitates the continuing education and training of our employees. This includes the topics outlined in the Accessibility Standards for Customer Service as well as the Accessibility laws and the Human Rights Code as it relates to people with disabilities.

Training will be provided as part of our employee orientation within 90 days of hire for new employees and on an ongoing basis as required for existing employees. Ongoing training will also be provided as we make changes or improvements to our technology and equipment as needed. Northern Insurance Brokers Inc. has educated all existing employees on the regulation and on the Human Rights Code as it pertains to persons with disabilities.

Information and Communications

Northern Insurance Brokers Inc. is committed to communicating with clients in the most appropriate manner which takes their disability, needs and preferences into account. We will consult with people with disabilities to determine their information and communication needs. We will also ensure that existing feedback processes are accessible to people with disabilities upon request by January 1, 2015.

Northern Insurance Brokers Inc. will take the appropriate steps to make all new websites and content on those websites conform with WCAG 2.0 Level A by January 1, 2014,

We will ensure public information is made accessible upon request by January 1, 2016, and that websites and content conforms to WCAG 2.0 Level AA by January 1, 2021

Employment

Northern Insurance Brokers Inc. is committed to fair and accessible employment practices and will accommodate people with disabilities during our recruitment processes and when people are hired.

By January 1, 2014, we will ensure that we notify employees, applicants, and the public that accommodations for applicants with disabilities are available upon request with relation to processes to be used.

We will arrange for the provision of a suitable accommodation in consultation with the applicant, and in a manner that takes into account the applicant’s accessibility needs as per our Recruitment, Selection and Equal Opportunity policy.

As of December 2014, Northern Insurance Brokers Inc. has developed and put in place a process for implementing individual accommodation plans, and return to work policies for employees that have been absent from work due to a disability. The details of this process are outlined in our Leave of Absence and Accommodation process.

Northern Insurance Brokers Inc. also takes the accessibility needs of employees into account when developing and implementing employment performance management, career development, and redeployment. We will also continue to inform employees of any changes to our policies as they are updated.

Design of Public Spaces

Northern Insurance Brokers Inc. is committed to meeting the Accessibility Standards for the Design of Public Spaces when building or making major modifications to public spaces such as our parking, service-related counters, and waiting areas.

We are committed to ensuring procedures are in place to prevent service disruptions to our accessible parts of public spaces, however, in the event of a service disruption, we will notify the public of the service disruption and of alternatives available.

The Customer Service Standard Handbook, as well as accessible formats of this document, will be available for free upon request.

Feedback

Comments on our services regarding how well customer service expectations are being met are always welcome and appreciated. Feedback regarding the way Northern Insurance Brokers Inc. provides products and services to people with disabilities can be made by in the various manners; email, verbally on-site or by phone, mail, or through providing on-site suggestions.

E-mail: feedback@northerninsurancebrokers.ca
Phone: (705) 949-6555
Toll-Free: (888) 525-4662
Mail: 200-855 Queen St. East
Sault Ste. Marie, ON P6A 2B3
Website: https://www.northerninsurancebrokers.ca

All feedback will be addressed and clients can expect to receive a response as soon as possible. For more Information on this accessibility plan or to request accessible formats of this document please contact:

Matt Jones
Human Resources & Operations Manager
Phone: (705) 949-6555 ex 258
Email: mjones@northerninsurancebrokers.ca