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Accessibility Policy and Program
Introduction
Agricultural Credit Corporation (hereinafter referred to as “ACC” or “the organization”) is committed to eliminating barriers and improving accessibility for people with disabilities.
It is the policy of ACC that all people, including people living with visible and invisible disabilities, have access to the goods and services provided by the organization, including those provided through service contractors. All goods and services are to be provided in a manner that recognizes the principles of independence, dignity, integration and equality of opportunity.
Definitions
Assistive Device
“Assistive Device” means a device used to assist persons with disabilities in carrying out activities or in accessing services.
Organization
“Organization” means all employees working for, or on behalf of, Agricultural Credit Corporation and this policy applies to all employees who interact with producers and the public on behalf of the organization.
Disability
“Disability,” has the same meaning as defined in the Ontario Human Rights Code and the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act, 2005.
Service Animal
“Service Animal” means any animal used by a person with a disability where it is readily apparent that the animal is used by the person for reasons relating to their disability; or where the person provides documentation from a regulated health professional confirming that they require the animal for reasons relating to their disability.
Service Contractor
“Service Contractor” means an individual or company that is being paid (contracted) to provide goods or services on the organization’s behalf. This policy applies to all service contractors who interact with the public and/or producers on behalf of the organization.
Support Person
“Support Person” means a person who accompanies a person with a disability to assist them with communication, mobility, personal care or medical needs, or with access to goods or services. This person can be a paid support worker, a volunteer, a friend, or a family member.
Procedures and Practice
The organization will use reasonable efforts to ensure that its policies, practices and procedures are consistent with the following principles:
• The organization’s goods and services are provided in a manner that respects the dignity and independence of persons with disabilities.
• The provision of the organization’s goods and services to persons with disabilities are integrated with those provided to persons who do not have disabilities unless an alternative measure is necessary to enable a person with a disability to obtain, use or benefit from the organization’s goods and services.
• Persons with disabilities are given an opportunity equal to that of persons without disabilities to obtain, use or benefit from the organization’s goods and services.
Assistive Devices: A person with a disability may provide their own assistive device for the purpose of obtaining, using or benefitting from the organization’s goods and services, unless said device may pose a risk to the health and safety of themselves or others, in which case the organization may offer a person with a disability other reasonable measures to assist them in obtaining, using or benefitting from goods and services, where such other measures are available.
• In cases where an assistive device (for example, an assistive listening device) is required for access to the organization’s goods, services, or events but where the person with a disability requires assistance to obtain said device, the organization will take reasonable measures to assist in obtaining access to such devices if notified at least 30 days in advance of such requirements.
Service Animals: The organization and contractors/agents providing services on the organization’s behalf shall accommodate the use of service animals by people with disabilities who are accessing the organization’s services and/or programs, unless the animal is otherwise excluded by law. It is the responsibility of the person with a disability to ensure that their service animal is in good health, does not pose a risk to the health and safety of others and is always under their care and control.
Support Persons: Where a person with a disability is accompanied by a support person, the organization and its service contractors shall ensure that both persons are permitted to enter the premises together and that the person with a disability has access to the support person while on the premises. The support person can be a paid support worker, volunteer, a friend or a family member.
Employment: ACC is committed to accommodating applicants and employees with disabilities throughout the recruitment, hiring, and employment lifecycle. All candidates will be provided with appropriate accommodation in the hiring and interview process and appropriate accommodation provided to those who request it in the hiring and interview process. ACC will consider the accessibility needs of team members and candidates with disabilities and will consult with team members at various stages.
Applicants selected for interviews or assessments will be informed that accommodation is available upon request. Successful candidates will be informed of ACC policies related to workplace accommodation. All discussions and documentation related to accommodation during the recruitment process will be treated as strictly confidential.
Communications: When communicating with a person with a disability, the organization and its service contractors shall do so in a manner that respects the person’s dignity and independence.
• Availability and Format of Documents and Materials: When providing a document to a person with a disability, the organization will provide the document, or the information contained in the document, in a format that takes the person’s disability into account. If an alternative format is requested, every attempt will be made to provide documents in the format requested within a reasonable time frame. The organization will determine the suitability of the accessible format or communication support by consulting with the individual making the request.
Feedback: Feedback from producers, and members of the public is welcome. Feedback about the organization’s delivery of goods and services to persons with disabilities may be given by telephone, in person, in writing, or in electronic format. Information about the feedback process will be available on the organization website (www.agcreditcorp.ca) and/or in other appropriate locations. Feedback received will be provided to the Vice-President, Marketing and Communications and will be documented, responded to and tracked. Individuals providing feedback will receive a response from the organization within seven (7) business days of receiving the request. Upon receiving feedback, concerns will be reviewed and a determination on next steps taken in accordance with the Act and Regulations. ACC ensures that our feedback process is accessible to people with disabilities by providing or arranging for accessible formats and communication supports, on request.
Service Disruption/Notice of Service Disruption: Temporary disruptions in the organization’s services, and those of service contractors, may occur due to reasons that may or may not be within the organization’s control or knowledge. The organization will make every effort to provide notice of disruptions to the public and/or producers within a reasonable time upon discovering any service issue. The notice of interruption will be created on the website and disseminated on social media platforms. Signage will be posted for employees at the work location as this location is not available for the public or for producers.
Training: The organization will ensure that all employees receive appropriate training on customer service requirements regarding people with disabilities. The format of training will vary based on individual circumstances and records of training will be kept.
Third party contractors who deliver goods and services on behalf of the organization are also required to ensure that they meet legislative requirements of accessible customer service and that they have read, understood, and acknowledged the organization’s Accessibility Policy.
Dated: May 2026
Contact Information
Concerns, questions or inquiries about Agricultural Credit Corporation's Accessibility Policy and Program should be directed to:
Vice-President, Marketing and Communications
Agricultural Credit Corporation
Phone: 519-766-0544
Email: generalinquiries@agcreditcorp.ca
