ACCESSIBILITY POLICY

 

Rigarus Construction Inc. is committed to supporting the inclusion of persons with disabilities.

Furthermore, we commit to improving accessibility for employees, clients, subcontractors, and visitors with disabilities by eliminating barriers and offering equal opportunities.

 

A multi-year accessibility and inclusivity plan has been developed, following legal requirements.

 

The implementation within the scope of this plan involves:

Establish policies, practices, and procedures for people with different disabilities.
Establish practices and orientation about people with a disability being accompanied by a service animal or support person.
Accessible and inclusive workplace (layout and facilities).
Accessible Training (provide training to all employees about the legislation and Rigarus' internal plan).
Accessible Employment (recruitment and job advertising, training, accessible resources).
Accessible Customer Service (accommodation plan, assistive devices).

 

With this policy, Rigarus Construction Inc. strives to ensure that people with disabilities maintain their dignity and independence by promoting inclusion, respect, and equity.

 

This policy will be reviewed annually.

 

 

Rigarus Construction Inc. – Accessibility Plan

 

Effective Date: June 2024
Next Review Date: June 2026

 

Contact for Accessibility Inquiries:
accessibility@rigarus.com | ☎ 519-669-5040 Ext 226 | 284 Union St, Elmira, ON N3B 3P2

 

1. Introduction:

 

Rigarus Construction Inc. is proud to be an equal-opportunity employer and is committed to advancing accessibility and removing barriers under the Accessible Canada Act.

Aspects of employment, including decisions to hire, promote, discipline, or discharge, will be based on merit, competence, performance, and business needs.

This Accessibility Plan identifies barriers, sets out actions to address them, and outlines timelines to track progress.

 

2. Definitions from the ACA:

 

Barrier means anything — including anything physical, architectural, technological or attitudinal, anything that is based on information or communications or anything that is the result of a policy or a practice — that hinders the full and equal participation in society of persons with an impairment, including a physical, mental, intellectual, cognitive, learning, communication or sensory impairment or a functional limitation.

 

Disability means any impairment, including a physical, mental, intellectual, cognitive, learning, communication, or sensory impairment — or a functional limitation — whether permanent, temporary, or episodic in nature or evident or not, that, in interaction with a barrier, hinders a person’s full and equal participation in society.  (handicap).

 

Areas to address in the Accessibility Plan:

• Employment
• Built environment
• Information and communication technology (ICT)
• Communication, other than information and communication technology
• Procuring goods, services, and facilities
• Designing and delivering programs and services
• Transportation

 

3. Searching methodology:

 

• Consultations were held to identify accessibility barriers.
• Through a workplace accessibility survey, Rigarus Construction consulted with employees and the public.
• Most of the employees recognized that our facility may be prepared to hire or receive people with disabilities (visitors, clients, and the public in general).
• Also, some employees commented that including apps or systems according to different disabilities will be necessary.
• Interviewees with disabilities mentioned that construction and working at heights are not accessible functions, depending on the physical and effort demands.
• Rigarus Construction Inc. will continue to improve accessibility in our organization.
• This Accessibility plan is the first step of this commitment and work toward becoming an organization that is free of barriers.
• We will continue to consult in each period.

 

4. Employment – Opportunities:

 

“Employment” refers to the recruitment and selection, retention, and job opportunities at Rigarus Construction.

Also, ensure that candidates, employees with disabilities, and those who experience barriers are supported.

 

Barrier: Job positions are not attracting applicants with disabilities. Lack of accessible hiring and onboarding processes.
 

Action:

 

• Create the accommodation processes and create a policy.
• Assess the job posting process to identify and remove possible accessibility barriers.
• Accessibility awareness training for all employees.
• Offer accommodations to the candidates during the recruitment process, and for current employees if they need it.
   

Status: See the Annual Accessibility Progress Report

 

5. Built environment (Physical spaces):

 

Accessibility of the built environment at Rigarus Construction ensures clients, employees, and visitors have barrier-free access.

 

Barrier: Limited accessibility in some shop/warehouse spaces.

 

Action:

• Conduct workplace accessibility audits.
• Conduct accessibility audits or surveys before any event or training session, when necessary.
• Install tactile strips where necessary.

 

Status: See the Annual Accessibility Progress Report

 

6. Information and Communication Technologies (ICT):

 

Refers to all communication technologies, including the internet, wireless networks, cell phones, computers, software, middleware, video-conferencing, social networking, and other media applications, and how digital technologies assist users in handling information.

 

Barrier: The Company does not have a process with alternate digital technologies that assist users with disabilities in handling information.

 

Action:

• Adapt the existing resources and get the necessary tools to accommodate people with disabilities.
• Develop accessibility checklists and documents according to each necessity.
• Investigation of communications tools according to the requirements

Status: See the Annual Accessibility Progress Report

 

7. Communication (Other Than ICT):

 

Barrier: The Company does not have a process for alternate formats of communication.

 

Action:

• Identify service providers and develop contracts or agreements to create alternate formats, where needed. Alternative formats (print, large print, braille, audio format, and electronic format.

 

Status: See the Annual Accessibility Progress Report

 

8. Procurement of Goods, Services, and Facilities :

 

There is no procedure for procurement.

 

Barrier: There is no procedure for procurement

 

Action:

• To make a list of the vendors who offer accessibility solutions according to the ACA

 

Status: See the Annual Accessibility Progress Report

 

9. Transportation:

 

Not applicable to our operations at this time.

 

10. Monitoring and Reporting:

 

• This plan will be reviewed and updated at least every 3 years.
• Annual Progress Reports will be submitted to the Accessibility Commissioner and published on our website.
• Progress will be measured based on completed actions, timelines met, and feedback received.

 

11. Feedback Mechanism and Contact.

 

Feedback on this plan or other accessibility matters can be provided through the following methods:

 

• Email: accessibility@rigarus.com
• Phone: 519-669-5040 Ext. 226
• Mail: 284 Union St, Elmira, ON N3B 3P2
• In-person: By appointment

 

Feedback can be provided anonymously. All comments will be acknowledged within 5 business days and responded to within 15 business days.

 

 

Rigarus Construction Inc. – Annual Accessibility Progress Report

 

Reporting Year: 2025
Date Submitted: June 01, 2025
Contact: accessibility@rigarus.com | 519-669-5040 Ext. 226
Website: https://rigarus.com

 

1. Introduction

 

Rigarus Construction Inc. has prepared the progress report to meet our organization’s obligations under the Accessible Canada Act (ACA).

 

This progress report summarizes an organization's achievements in implementing the accessibility plan, focusing on progress towards goals outlined in the plan.

 

2. Progress on Accessibility Plan Commitments

 

Area of Focus	Barrier Addressed	Action Taken	Status	Next Steps
Employment	The accommodation procedure is nonexistent.	Create the accommodation processes and create a policy.	✅ Completed	Annual review
	Job positions are not attracting applicants with disabilities.	Assess the job posting process to identify and remove possible accessibility barriers.	✅ Completed	Monitor effectiveness
	Expand our understanding and knowledge of the range and variety of accommodation options available to persons with disabilities interested in becoming Rigarus employees.	Accessibility awareness training for all employees.	✅ Completed	Monitor effectiveness
	Accommodations are not offered to candidates or current employees.	Offer accommodations to the candidates during the recruitment process, and for current employees if they need it.	✅ Completed	Monitor effectiveness
Built Environment	Some spaces in the shop may limit the mobility of employees and visitors with specific disabilities.	Conduct workplace accessibility audits.	✅ Completed	Follow the action plan
	Ensure that events, meetings, and training sessions are accessible to all employees, guests, clients, or subcontractors.	Conduct accessibility audits or surveys before any event or training session, when necessary.	✅ Completed	Monitor effectiveness
	Safety signs in our office space, building and shop are not accessible to people with low vision; people need to be escorted by internal employees.	Install tactile strips where necessary.	⏳ Planned	Implement findings in Q3 2026
Communication	No alternate formats of communication.	Identify service providers and develop contracts or agreements to create alternate formats, where needed. Alternative formats (print, large print, braille, audio format, and electronic format.	In Progress	December 2025
Information and Communication Technologies	The Company does not have a process with alternate digital technologies that assist users with disabilities in handling information.	Adapt the existing resources and get the necessary tools to accommodate people with disabilities.	⏳ Planned	Implement findings in Q4 2026
	The IT consultant is not ready to assist in technology matters, persons with disabilities, and what resources he may have ready for them.	Develop accessibility checklists and documents according to each necessity.	In Progress	November 2025
	Not all employees or visitors are aware of the accessibility features within the Rigarus Construction office.	Communication Plan.	In Progress	November 2025
	The communication tools or software used in the company are not prepared for people with disabilities.	Investigation of communications tools according to the requirement.	In Progress	December 2025
Design and Delivery of Programs and Services	IT Systems or software to create policies and procedures to attend to people with disabilities are not available.	Implementation of software or devices, if it is applicable.	⏳ Planned	Implement findings in Q3 2026
Procurement of Goods, Services, and Facilities	There is no procedure for procurement.	To make a list of the vendors who offer accessibility solutions according to the ACA.	In Progress	Finalize and implement in Q2 2026

 

Transportation:

 

Rigarus Construction Inc. does not provide transportation under the Accessible Canada Act, and has not identified any barriers.

 

✅ Completed | In Progress | ⏳ Planned | ❌ Not Started

 

 

3. Summary of Progress

 

Employment – Opportunities:

 

“Employment” refers to the recruitment and selection, retention, and job opportunities at Rigarus Construction Inc.

Also, ensure that candidates, employees with disabilities, and those who experience barriers are supported.

 

Progress:

 

• We created an accommodation and inclusion policy and procedures to foster a workplace that respects diversity and meets the needs of all employees. Rigarus Construction Inc. is committed to inclusion, outlining responsibilities, and providing a structured process for accommodation requests, according to the Canadian Human Rights Commission and the Ontario Human Rights Commission.
• We added the following text to all our job postings: “Rigarus Construction Inc. is an equal opportunity employer; we welcome applications from people with disabilities. Accommodations are available on request”.Including this statement indicates that Rigarus Construction Inc. is committed to providing reasonable accommodations for qualified individuals with disabilities.
• To ensure compliance with accessibility and inclusive language practices, we removed the phrase “physical abilities” from our job posting form.

 

Built environment (Physical spaces):

 

Accessibility of the built environment at Rigarus Construction Inc. ensures clients, employees, and visitors have barrier-free access.

The Safety Committee conducted an annual audit and found that relevant policies and procedures are in place. 

Furthermore, the audit confirmed the ramps and automatic doors for wheelchair access were inspected and found to be functioning as expected. This ensures that individuals with disabilities can access the facility safely and easily, which aligns with accessibility regulations and practices.

 

Observation: signs needed for accessible parking. (done June 2025).

 

For the next year, Rigarus Construction will focus on:

 

• Identify service providers and develop contracts or agreements to create alternate formats, where needed. Alternative formats (print, large print, braille, audio format, and electronic format.
• Adapt the existing resources and get the necessary tools to accommodate people with disabilities.
• Developing a feedback review (ACA) policy.

 

4. Contact and Alternate Formats

 

This report is available in alternative formats upon request.

accessibility@rigarus.com | ☎ 519-669-5040 Ext.226 | 284 Union St, Elmira, ON N3B 3P2