Accessibility Policy

Accessibility Statement

At The Discovery Group, we are committed to providing inclusive, accessible services that meet the needs of all our clients, partners, and community stakeholders.

We strive to ensure that all consultations, communications, and deliverables are barrier-free and available in accessible formats upon request. Whether we are engaging virtually or in person, we welcome input on how to improve accessibility and inclusion in our work.

If you require accommodations or have feedback on accessibility, please contact us.

Mercia Louw, Director of Operations
mercia@thediscoverygroup.ca
145 Chadwick Ct #412, North Vancouver, BC V7M 3K1

We are committed to responding promptly and respectfully.

Our Commitment

At The Discovery Group, we are committed to providing an inclusive, accessible, and barrier-free environment for our team, our clients, and the communities we serve. As a consultancy working in the social profit sector, we are guided by the principles of dignity, independence, integration, and equal opportunity.

We strive to meet the requirements of the Accessible British Columbia Act (ABCA), and relevant human rights legislation in our clients’ jurisdictions. We will continue to identify and remove barriers in our services, communications, and workplaces.

Accessible Services and Consultation

We work to ensure that all project activities — including stakeholder consultations, reports, events, and client communications — are accessible to persons with disabilities. This includes:

Offering materials in accessible formats upon request (e.g., tagged PDF, Word, plain text)
Using plain language wherever possible
Providing accommodations such as captioning, sign language interpretation, and accessible venues or platforms for meetings when requested
Offering multiple ways to engage (written, verbal, virtual, in-person)

We will consult with individuals to determine the most appropriate accommodations when a need is identified.

Communication

We are committed to effective and inclusive communication. Upon request, we will provide or arrange for the provision of accessible formats and communication supports in a timely manner and at no extra cost.

Employment and Workplace Accessibility

We are an equal opportunity employer and are committed to providing a work environment that respects the dignity and independence of all team members. We will:

Accommodate applicants during recruitment, assessment, and onboarding
Provide individualized workplace accommodation plans as needed
Ensure performance management, career development, and return-to-work processes consider accessibility needs

Feedback Process

We welcome feedback about the accessibility of our services and workplace. Feedback can be submitted in any format, and we will respond in a manner that is accessible to the individual.

Contact Information:

Mercia Louw, Director of Operations
mercia@thediscoverygroup.ca
145 Chadwick Ct #412, North Vancouver, BC V7M 3K1

Training

All staff and contractors will receive training on accessibility standards relevant to their roles, including:

AODA/ABCA principles
Inclusive communication
Accessible client engagement
Human rights obligations

Training will be reviewed and refreshed periodically.

Review and Updates

This policy will be reviewed every two years, or as required by changes in legislation or organizationalpractices. We are committed to continuous improvement in accessibility.

Accessibility Checklist

Stakeholder Consultations

Planning & Invitations

Invitations include accessibility notice (e.g., “Please let us know if you require accommodations.”)
Materials are available in accessible formats (e.g., Word, tagged PDF, plain text)
Offer multiple participation methods (online, phone, in-person, written feedback)

Event Accessibility

Virtual platforms including Microsoft Teams and Zoom are WCAG-compliant and support keyboard navigation and screen readers
Closed captioning and/or ASL /LSQ interpretation is offered and arranged if requested
In-person venues are physically accessible, with accessible washrooms, seating, parking, and signage
Allow flexible participation (e.g., people can respond in writing if real-time discussion isn’t possible)

Materials & Facilitation

Use plain language and minimize jargon
Provide agendas in advance in accessible formats
Allow time for input and encourage different communication styles (verbal, written, visual)

Feedback

Offer feedback options in multiple formats (e.g., email, phone, online form)
Provide a clear contact for accessibility-related issues or follow-up

Digitally Shared Reports

Structure & Format

Use built-in heading styles (e.g., Heading 1, 2) for clear structure
Include a table of contents with hyperlinks
Use lists, headings, and clear section breaks for navigation

Design & Readability

Maintain high contrast between text and background
Use minimum 12pt font size and easy-to-read fonts (Lato)
Avoid using colour alone to convey meaning

Images & Charts

Add alt text to all images, logos, charts, and infographics
Include text summaries or data tables for complex visuals
Mark decorative images as such in Word or PDF

Export & Test

Export reports to tagged PDF or accessible Word format
Run accessibility checkers in Word or Adobe Acrobat
Consider offering plain language summaries or HTML versions when needed

Website Design

Navigation & Layout

Ensure logical heading hierarchy (H1, H2, etc.)
Provide a “Skip to Content” link
Make all features navigable via keyboard only

Text & Visual Contrast

Use high-contrast colours between text and background
Allow text resizing without loss of content or function
Avoid text embedded in images

Images, Multimedia & Interactivity

Provide alt text for all images
Include captions and transcripts for video/audio
Ensure forms and buttons have clear, accessible labels
Avoid using colour alone to convey information

Technical Compliance

Meet WCAG 2.1 Level AA standards
Test with tools like:
            o WAVE Web Accessibility Tool
            o Google Lighthouse
            o Axe Accessibility Checker
Compatible with screen readers (JAWS, NVDA, Voice-over)