Accessibility

Newfoundland Broadcasting Company

Accessibility Plan – Progress Report 2025

General

The Newfoundland Broadcasting Company is open to receiving feedback from employees and the public on the implementation of our Accessibility Plan. Alternative formats of this report are available upon request, including print, large print, braille, audio, electronic format, or other agreed-upon formats.

Our Accessibility Plan and feedback mechanism were published on May 31, 2024.

Contact
Attn: Lindsey Andrews, General Manager
446 Logy Bay Rd, St. John’s, NL A1A 5C6
(709) 722-5015
www.ntv.ca
accessibility@ntv.ca

Consultations

We continue to engage knowledgeable partners to advance accessibility initiatives, including Higher Talent and InclusionNL.

Key Contributions:

  • Built Environment: Accessibility assessment, upgrades to entrances, washrooms, automatic doors. Follow-up scan scheduled Summer 2025.
  • Policy Review & Training: Policies reviewed; new training scheduled Summer 2025.
  • Digital Accessibility: Input on website/app audits, guiding WCAG AA compliance redesign.
  • Employment & Culture: Enhanced hiring, onboarding, accommodations, and inclusive leadership development.

We also participated in a CNIB consultation (May 2025) led by accessibility experts and individuals with lived experience, emphasizing inclusive design, individualized accommodations, and respectful language.

Feedback

A procedure for receiving and addressing feedback was established May 31, 2024.

Process:

  1. Acknowledgement – Promptly acknowledge feedback when contact info is provided.
  2. Welcoming Feedback – Accept via online forms, email, phone.
  3. Adherence – Comply with WCAG AA.
  4. Alternative Formats – Provide feedback process in other formats if requested.

Contact for Feedback: Lindsey Andrews, General Manager

  • Mail: 446 Logy Bay Road, St. John’s, NL A1A 5C6
  • Email: accessibility@ntv.ca
  • Phone: 709-722-5015 (Mon–Fri, 9–5)

Note: No feedback received in past 11 months.

Employment

Progress Updates:

  • Onboarding & Training: Accessibility training embedded, refresher in Summer 2025.
  • Policy Distribution: Accessibility Policies re-circulated May 2025.
  • Accommodation Awareness: Company-wide reminder in May 2025.
  • Leadership Engagement: Senior managers actively supporting inclusion.
  • InclusionNL Collaboration: Scheduled Summer 2025 – new staff training, building scans, and policy review.

The Built Environment

Progress:

  • Facility Improvements: One building fully renovated; second building significantly improved.
  • Workforce Relocation: Staff moved into renovated areas.
  • Renovations: Second building renovations complete.
  • Main Building Upgrades: Scheduled Summer/Fall 2025 for accessible washroom and entrances.
  • Long-Term Planning: Elevator feasibility and quotes under review (Fall 2025).
  • Accessibility Features: Push bars and automatic doors installed in all applicable buildings.

Information & Communication Technologies (ICT)

  • Audit (Dec 2023): Improvements implemented.
  • Website (ntv.ca): New site under development to meet/exceed CRTC standards.
  • App (NTV+): Upgrades planned.
  • Audit-Driven Strategy: Full redesign vs. patching.
  • Vendor Collaboration: Partners ensuring accessible digital design.

Communication (Other Than ICT)

  • Accommodation Requests: Streamlined process for meetings/training.
  • Inclusive Communication Guide: In development, completion expected end of 2025.
    • Plain language
    • Accessible formatting
    • Alt-text/descriptive content for images
    • Consistency across communications

Procurement of Goods, Services & Facilities

Progress:

Developing accessibility-focused procurement policy (completion by Dec 2025).

The policy will:

  • Add accessibility criteria to RFPs and evaluations.
  • Include accessibility clauses in contracts.
  • Promote accessible goods/services/tech.
  • Engage diverse suppliers.
  • Create internal buyer accessibility checklist.

Design & Delivery of Programs & Services

Progress:

  • Closed Captioning: Meeting CRTC standards (98% accuracy for live content).
  • Website Content: Captioning expanded across video content, further rollouts in 2025.

Next Steps:

  • Continue partnership with InclusionNL.
  • Launch new accessible website.
  • Finalize procurement policy.
  • Complete inclusive communication guide.
  • Begin newsroom renovations before end of 2025.

Conclusion

The Newfoundland Broadcasting Company has made meaningful progress in creating a more accessible and inclusive workplace and media environment. Through collaboration, planning, and ongoing engagement, we are on track to meet and exceed our Accessibility Plan goals.

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