Accessibility

Statement of Commitment

We are committed to complying with The Human Rights Code (Manitoba), The Accessibility for Manitobans Act (AMA), and its underlying standards (The Accessibility for Customer Service Standard, The Accessibility Standard for Employment, and The Accessibility Standard for Information and Communications). Our policies, practices, and measures reflect the principles of dignity, independence, integration, and equal opportunity for people with disabilities. We aim to provide goods or services in an efficient, fair and respectful manner to people of all abilities.

If a barrier to accessing our goods or services cannot be removed, we will seek to provide alternative ways to access the goods or services.  We will ensure that any fee or charge relating to accommodating a person who is disabled by a barrier is imposed only if the organization cannot reasonably accommodate the person otherwise.

This policy applies to all employees and lawyers engaged with or by Pitblado LLP (“Pitblado“) and Coordinated Management Services (“CMS“).

Communications

We are committed to ensuring that the communication needs of all people are met or exceeded.  When communicating with a person who self-identifies as being disabled by a barrier, the communication is done in a manner that takes into account the barrier.

To achieve this outcome, we:

  • Provide communications in alternate formats, as and when requested;
  • Use font that can be enlarged;
  • Use plain language;
  • Make ourselves available to support, receive and respond to requests or feedback and answer questions (externally and internally) by phone, e-mail, or in-person;
  • Ensure our digital content and websites meet Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) 2.1 level AA or World Wide Web Consortium (W3C) Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) 2.1 Level AA criteria (when applicable) by May 1, 2025;
  • Consult with the person who makes a request to identify a support or format that removes the barrier and provide it in a timely manner;
  • Will not charge the person making a request more than what we would charge someone who did not make a request;
  • Ensure our Firm members are trained on how to interact and communicate with persons disabled by barriers and what to do if a person disabled by a barrier is having difficulty accessing a space, good, or service.

Assistive Devices

We are committed to welcoming the use of assistive devices in order to remove or reduce barriers related to obtaining, using, or benefiting from our services.

To achieve this outcome, we:

  • Welcome the public and Firm members to use assistive devices on our premises;
  • Inform people who attend the Firm, including Firm members, of the assistive devices which are available for their use;

Ensure our Firm members are trained on how to interact and communicate with people who use assistive devices and how to use any equipment or assistive device that may be available;

  • Ensure there is barrier-free access for the use of assistive devices, on our premises.

Support Persons and Service Animals

We are committed to welcoming support persons and people with service animals to our Firm.  Service animals will be permitted in the areas of our premises where the public, clients, or guests are generally allowed.

To achieve this outcome, we:

  • Permit people with service animals’ access to the areas of our premises that are open to the public, except where the presence of service animals may create another hardship (in which case, we will explain why and find a more suitable area or discuss other ways to provide our services);
  • Ensure our Firm members are trained on how to interact with people with service animals;
  • Permit support persons to the areas of our premises that are open to the public and allow support persons to assist the individual(s) as required. At no time will a person who is accompanied by a support person be prevented from having access to their support person while on our premises;
  • Ensure our Firm members are trained on how to interact with people who are accompanied by support persons, including addressing the person directly, not the support person, unless asked to do otherwise;
  • Ensure there is barrier-free access for support persons and service animals, on our premises.

Accessibility Measures and Notice of Temporary Disruptions

We are committed to maintaining our accessibility measures and providing notice of any temporary disruptions in spaces or services that could affect access.

To achieve this outcome, we:

  • Ensure there is barrier-free access for people with assistive devices (wheelchairs, electric scooters, walkers, etc.) at our premises;
  • Offer to meet our clients at an alternate location if our premises are not accessible to them;
  • Will post notice when any aspect of our built environment, intended to facilitate barrier-free access to our space and services, is unavailable for use in the intended manner;
  • Include in such notice, the reasons why the aspect is unavailable, an estimate of when it will become available, and details of any alternative means that are available to access our space and services free from barriers;
  • The notice will be prominently displayed on our premises and website and by such other methods which are reasonable and appropriate (such as on an outgoing telephone message, email, etc.).

Training

We are committed to providing initial and ongoing training for our employees and lawyers who have direct interaction with our clients, the public, or to other organizations in Manitoba, as well as those who are involved with developing and implementing our policies, practices, and procedures and those who train, supervise, manage or otherwise coordinate the work of other Firm members, as soon as reasonably practicable, in a manner that best suits the duties and needs of the representative.

We maintain records of policy acknowledgments and the dates of training.

As part of our commitment to accessibility for all persons interacting with Pitblado, ongoing training will be developed as required.

Documentation of Policies

We are committed to maintaining and documenting our accessibility policies, practices and procedures and, upon request, providing a copy of such documentation.  We will also notify our clients that these accessibility policies, practices, and procedures are available upon request.

To achieve this outcome, we:

  • Post our accessibility policy, practices or procedures on our website;
  • Provide printed or digital copies of our accessibility policies, practices, and procedures for distribution at our premises;
  • Produce these documents in large print, or other formats, upon request;
  • Provide these documents at no cost.

Employment

We are committed to fair and accessible employment practices.

We will continue to review, and modify as necessary, existing recruitment, assessment, and selection procedures to ensure all people have equitable access within our organization.

To achieve this outcome, we will:

  • Publicly identify to applicants that our recruitment and selection processes provide reasonable accommodations on request;
  • Ensure a return-to-work policy and process is in place where reasonable accommodation and support is provided;
  • Provide the option for individualized accommodation plans or emergency response plans upon request;
  • Provide training for all required Firm members as indicated below.

Public Events

We are committed to taking reasonable measures to ensure that any public event that we hold is barrier-free and that our accessibility measures are maintained.

To achieve this outcome, we will ensure that:

  • The notice of the event is given in an accessible manner to persons disabled by barriers;
  • The public event is held in an accessible space or venue;
  • The physical and communication needs of persons disabled by barriers are met on request;
  • Notice is given that persons disabled by barriers may request relevant supports or accommodations.

Addressing Feedback

Pitblado welcomes feedback on the accessibility of our spaces, policies, and services. Those affected by Pitblado’s accessibility features and practices are encouraged to provide feedback in a manner appropriate to their needs so that barriers can be identified, and concerns responded to in a timely manner. We strive to respond to all feedback as quickly as possible. Methods of providing such feedback include:

  • In person: at our offices;
  • In writing to: Director, People & Culture, 2500-360 Main St., Winnipeg MB, R3C 4H6;
  • By phone to: Director, People & Culture at 204-956-3595;
  • By email to: [email protected]

When we receive feedback, we will action feedback in a manner that is timely and maintains the confidentiality and dignity of those providing feedback. Furthermore, we will document actions that result from the review process and make that documentation available upon request.

More Information

This policy is available in other formats upon request. If you have a question about this policy, our Director, People & Culture is available to discuss it by contacting us by any of the methods shown above.

Please contact us if you have any questions about this policy, or to receive a copy of this policy.