Intent

629112 Saskatchewan Ltd. (Saskatoon Media Group) is committed to providing a barrier-free environment for all stakeholders, including clients, employees, job applicants, suppliers, and any visitors who enter the premises, access information provided by the company or use the company’s goods and services.

The company will work to identify and remove barriers and prevent new barriers, for persons with disabilities as they relate to employment, communication, the built environment, goods and services, and transportation at Saskatoon Media Group. This policy outlines the company’s accessibility plan and strategy for identifying, removing, and preventing these barriers.

General

Contact to receive feedback for the Saskatoon Media Group Accessibility Plan:

Human Resources Manager
219 Robin Crescent, 2nd Floor, Saskatoon, SK S7L 6M8
306-244-1975
hr@saskatoonmedia.ca

Executive Summary

We are a Canadian radio and digital media company with radio stations and internet portals in Saskatchewan. Serving Saskatoon and surrounding areas, we operate 3 radio stations and 4 internet portals in our communities. We also offer marketing and organizational development consulting to local businesses.

We generously give back to our communities by supporting organizations that support accessibility for persons with disabilities. By raising money and providing promotional radio/online support from our local radio stations and internet portals, we help promote fundraising campaigns for these organizations.

Internally, we seek to remove barriers to employment in areas such as our recruiting practices, gradual return to work policies for short and long-term disability cases, and by providing reasonable accommodation to individual requests.

Saskatoon Media Group solicited feedback/comments from the public, as required, beginning in June 2023, and none has been received. In the absence of feedback, we have worked at creating the best plan possible.

Definitions

Barrier: 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 a person with an impairment, including a physical, mental, intellectual, cognitive, learning, communication, or sensory impairment, or a functional limitation.

Disability: Any impairment, including a physical, mental, intellectual, cognitive, learning, communication, and sensory impairment, or functional limitation that is either permanent, temporary, or episodic in nature. It can be evident or not in interaction with a barrier to hinder a person’s full and equal participation in society.

Guidelines

Accessibility Plan

The accessibility plan includes an overview of our policies, programs, practices, and services in relation to the identification and removal of barriers and the prevention of new barriers. The accessibility plan was prepared and published by June 1, 2024, and will be updated every three years following that, or sooner if necessary.

The accessibility plan has included an invitation for public consultation via feedback forms on our local internet portals. We intend to continue consultations with persons with disabilities on an ongoing basis. Saskatoon Media Group adheres to all requirements made by regulation in the development and ongoing maintenance of the accessibility plan.

The accessibility plan is offered in any of the following formats upon request:

Print;
Large print;
Audio; and
Electronic.

Requests to receive an accessibly formatted version of the Saskatoon Media Group Accessibility Plan are available by phone, email, or via the Accessibility Feedback sections on each of our community portal’s home pages.

The accessibility plan will be provided 20 days after the day the request was received.

Areas of Accessibility

Our Employment Practices

Our Employment Equity and Accessibility Administrator is aware of the Accessible Canada Act and our Saskatoon Media Group Accessibility Plan. Our online job postings state that “Saskatoon Media Group is committed to providing a fair and equitable work environment and encourages applications from qualified women, men, visible minorities, Indigenous peoples, and persons with disabilities”. We provide training on fair selection practices to our hiring managers.

We continue to seek input and work to identify and eliminate employment barriers when they are identified. Our goal is to identify barriers and make recommendations to management on how to eliminate the barriers. Reasonable timelines are established for eliminating barriers when identified.

Our Built Environment

Our Employment Equity and Accessibility Administrator seeks input on our built environment from our staff, our listeners, and our clients. Our goal is to identify barriers and make recommendations to management on how to eliminate the barriers. Reasonable timelines will be established for eliminating when barriers are identified.

Our Information and Communication Technologies (ICT)

Our Employment Equity and Accessibility Administrator seeks input on our Communication and Information Technologies from our staff, our listeners, and our clients. Our goal is to identify barriers and make recommendations to management on how to eliminate the barriers. Reasonable timelines will be established for eliminating when barriers are identified.

Communication other than ICT

Our Employment Equity and Accessibility Administrator seeks input on our other types of communications including but not limited to verbal and signage. Our goal is to identify barriers and make recommendations to management on how to eliminate the barriers. Reasonable timelines will be established for eliminating when barriers are identified.

Our Processes to Procure Goods, Services and Facilities

Our Employment Equity and Accessibility Administrator will seek input on our procurement process from our suppliers, listeners, and clients. Our goal is to identify barriers and make recommendations to management on how to eliminate the barriers. Reasonable timelines will be established for eliminating when barriers are identified.

Our Design and Delivery of our Programs and Advertising Services

Our Employment Equity and Accessibility Administrator will seek input on how we design and deliver our radio programs, online features, and our advertising services with regard to accessibility. Our goal is to identify barriers and make recommendations to management on how to eliminate the barriers. Reasonable timelines will be established for eliminating when barriers are identified.

Our Transportation Considerations

Our Employment Equity and Accessibility Administrator will seek internal and external input on our use of transportation with regard to accessibility. Our goal will be to identify barriers and make recommendations to management on how to eliminate the barriers. Reasonable timelines will be established for eliminating when barriers are identified.

Principles of Accessibility

Saskatoon Media Group supports and believes in the principles of the Accessible Canada Act.

We believe that being an equitable and accessible company advances Saskatoon Media Group’s core purpose: We exist to make our communities better.

When establishing policies and/or changes to physical location, Saskatoon Media Group will take into account the principles of the Accessible Canada Act.

We currently take reasonable steps to remove and prevent barriers to provide accessibility for all persons and will continue to observe these principles.

Some existing initiatives are:

New builds are constructed to be accessible.
Managers are trained in equitable hiring practices.
We provide gradual return-to-work plans for employees who have been on disability leave, including options for reasonable accommodation where needed
Ensured corporate website contains font and contrast options

License Conditions Under Part II of the Broadcasting Act

We note that all Saskatoon Media Group stations are members of the Canadian Standards Broadcast Council.

Adhering to established codes is an important ongoing role that broadcasters play in eliminating barriers that may be present in radio broadcasts.

Consultations

Through the work of our Accessibility Administrator, we have regular ongoing consultations addressing staff feedback that identifies barriers within the company. Our feedback form is available to staff 24/7 via the Saskatoon Media Group General Teams Channel.

As part of their weekly reporting process, our managers report on all accessibility requests and any accommodations made or still required.

Our Accessibility Plan is posted on our websites, saskatoonmediagroup.com. cjwwradio.com, 98cool.ca and thebull.ca. It will be accessible from the home page. We invite feedback on our plan and ask for input on identifying barriers.

We will consider other methods of seeking input on our plan from our listeners, our clients, and members of our community, including charitable organizations that we support.

Submitting Feedback

Saskatoon Media Group welcomes feedback from its listeners, clients, and members of the community regarding the accessibility plan and any barriers encountered by persons with disabilities. Individuals who provide formal feedback receive acknowledgment of their feedback along with any resulting actions. Individuals can submit feedback via our community online portals or by obtaining a physical copy of the feedback form from the front desk of our company location. Or by mail to:

Human Resources
Saskatoon Media Group
219 Robin Crescent, 2nd Floor, Saskatoon, SK S7L 6M8
hr@saskatoonmedia.ca

Saskatoon Media Group welcomes feedback from its employees regarding the accessibility plan and any barriers encountered by persons with disabilities. Employees who provide formal feedback receive acknowledgment of their feedback, along with any resulting actions based on the concerns or complaints they submit.

Employees can submit feedback via a digital form. Physical copies may be requested as well.

Employees can provide feedback anonymously if desired, and feedback remains confidential unless the person consents to the disclosure of their personal information. Feedback is received in whatever format the individual providing the feedback is most comfortable with. The feedback process is published in conformance with all applicable legislation. Any changes to the accessibility plan or the feedback process are published as soon as possible and notice of any changes are reported to the accessibility commissioner. The personal information of anyone who provides feedback remains confidential in accordance with all applicable privacy laws.

Progress Reports

629112 Saskatchewan Ltd. prepares, publishes, and submits a progress report to the accessibility commissioner regarding the implementation of the accessibility plan as required by legislation. This report follows a similar structure to the accessibility plan and includes feedback and contact information, information about the consultations completed for the development of the plan, and any feedback received on the accessibility plan. The report addresses how the consultations and feedback were taken into consideration during the process. Progress reports can be made available upon request and are available in all accessible formats the accessibility plan is available in.

Document Retention

The company keeps detailed records of the creation, implementation, and updating of the accessibility plan and progress reports. The accessibility plan and feedback process are retained on Saskatoon Media Group’s digital file server for seven years from the publication date. Any feedback provided to the company is retained for seven years from the date it is received. Where necessary, the names and personal information of individuals and employees who participated in the feedback process are redacted to ensure confidentiality and privacy.

Budget and Resources

Budget and resources will be made available as required for the work of our Accessibility Administrator – working to identify and eliminate barriers.

Our radio stations will continue to provide radio promotional support to many local organizations and events that work to overcome accessibility challenges.

We will continue to make donations to community charity organizations that support persons with accessibility challenges.

Training

We will be hosting a number of company-wide staff training sessions related to employment equity issues including mental health awareness and employment barriers that persons in equity categories face.

We view staff awareness and a positive company culture related to these matters as very important. We will do training from time to time when we see opportunities to train. This will include in-person sessions and online sessions (via Zoom for example) on important topics – based on needs identified by our Accessibility Administrator.

2025 ACCESSIBILITY PLAN PROGRESS REPORT

GENERAL

Executive Summary

629112 Saskatchewan Ltd. (Saskatoon Media Group) is a Canadian radio and digital media company with radio stations and online community portals in Saskatchewan.  Serving Saskatoon and surrounding areas, we operate 3 radio stations (1 AM and 2 FM) and 4 internet portals.  We also offer holistic marketing and organizational development consulting to local businesses.

We generously give back to our community by supporting many local organizations, including those that support accessibility for persons with disabilities.  By assisting in raising money and providing promotional radio/online support with our local radio stations and portals, we help promote fundraising campaigns for these organizations.

This Accessibility Progress Report describes the strides Saskatoon Media Group has made in the first year of implementing its Accessibility Plan.  More specifically, in the following priority areas: organizational culture; employment; built environment; information and communication technologies (ICT); communication; procurement of goods, services and facilities; design and delivery of programs and services; and transportation.  This report also highlights how persons with disabilities were consulted in preparing this progress report, and reviews the feedback received. 

Intent

Saskatoon Media Group is committed to providing a barrier-free environment for all stakeholders, including clients, employees, job applicants, suppliers, and any visitors who enter our premises, access information provided by the company, or use the company’s goods and services.

Saskatoon Media Group will continue working to identify and remove barriers, and prevent any new barriers, for persons with disabilities as they relate to employment, communication, the built environment, goods and services, and transportation within our organization.

Definitions

Barrier: 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 a person with an impairment, including a physical, mental, intellectual, cognitive, learning, communication, or sensory impairment, or a functional limitation.

Disability: Any impairment, including a physical, mental, intellectual, cognitive, learning, communication, and sensory impairment, or functional limitation that is either permanent, temporary, or episodic in nature. It can be evident or not in interaction with a barrier to hinder a person’s full and equal participation in society.

Contact Information

Contact to receive feedback for the Saskatoon Media Group Accessibility Plan:

Human Resources Manager

219 Robin Crescent 2^nd Floor

Saskatoon, SK  S7L 6M8

306-244-1975

hr@saskatoonmedia.ca

The accessibility plan is offered in any of the following formats upon request:

• Print;
• Large print;
• Audio; and
• Electronic.

Requests to receive an accessibly formatted version of the Saskatoon Media Group Accessibility Plan are available by phone, email or via the Accessibility Feedback sections on each of our community portal’s home page.   The Accessibility Plan will be provided within 20 days of receiving the request.

Feedback Collection Process

Saskatoon Media Group welcomes feedback from its employees, listeners, clients, and members of the community regarding the accessibility plan and any barriers encountered by persons with disabilities.   

• Externally, individuals who provide formal feedback receive acknowledgement of their feedback along with any resulting actions. Individuals can submit feedback via the form available on our community portals, or by obtaining a physical copy of the feedback form from the front desk of any of our locations or with a mail-in request to:

Human Resources

Saskatoon Media Group

 219 Robin Crescent 2^nd Floor

Saskatoon, SK S7L 6M8

hr@saskatoonmedia.ca

• Internally, Saskatoon Media Group welcomes feedback from its employees regarding the accessibility plan and any barriers that may be encountered by persons with disabilities. The digital feedback form is accessible to all staff internally 24/7. Employees who provide formal feedback receive acknowledgement of their feedback, along with any resulting actions and/or timelines based on the concerns or complaints they submit.

• Employees also have the opportunity to provide anonymous feedback if desired; all feedback remains confidential unless the person consents to the disclosure of their personal information.

• The manager at Saskatoon Media Group is required to detail any feedback received related to accessibility issues in their specific location as part of their weekly reports.   

Individuals are free to provide feedback in the format most comfortable for them.  The feedback process is published in accordance with the applicable legislation.  Any changes to the Accessibility Plan or the feedback process are published as soon as possible, and notice of any changes are reported to the Accessibility Commissioner. The personal information of anyone who provides feedback remains confidential in accordance with all applicable privacy laws.

PROGRESS ON SASKATOON MEDIA GROUP’S ACCESSIBILITY PLAN

Our Employment Practices

Our online job postings state that, “Saskatoon Media Group is committed to providing a fair and equitable work environment and encourages applications from qualified women, men, visible minorities, Indigenous peoples, and persons with disabilities.  We provide training on fair interview and selection practices to our hiring managers.

An Accommodation Plan was developed to ensure employees with disabilities – permanent or temporary – have access to a fair and consistent avenue of support and assessment, should they encounter any barriers to effective achievement in their role.

Our Built Environment  

We understand the importance of providing safe, comfortable and inclusive spaces.   Any reported barriers are made known and acknowledged in a timely manner.

Our Information and Communication Technologies (ICT)

In our commitment to serving our communities, we continue our efforts toward the removal of barriers in our technologies to better serve individuals in accessing information about their local communities.  

Internally, for all new training content, we provide a pdf of each script in an alternative format for different accessibility needs. 

Our Accessibility Plan and complaint form are posted internally on the Saskatoon Media Group’s Teams channel and available 24/7.

Communication other than ICT

Our Employment Equity and Accessibility Committee continues to seek input on our other types of communications, including verbal and signage.  In the absence of any feedback, either formal or informal, no barriers were identified. 

Our Processes to Procure Goods, Services and Facilities

Our Employment Equity and Accessibility Committee continues to seek input on our processes to procure goods, services and facilities.  In the absence of any feedback, either formal or informal, no barriers were identified. 

Our Design and Delivery of our Programs and Advertising Services

Our Employment Equity and Accessibility Committee continues to seek input on the design and delivery of our programs and advertising services.   In the absence of any feedback, either formal or informal, no barriers were identified. 

Our Transportation Considerations

Our Employment Equity and Accessibility Committee continues to seek input on our transportation considerations.   In the absence of any feedback, either formal or informal, no barriers were identified. 

CONSULTATIONS

Internal

Saskatoon Media Group invited all staff to participate in a consultation process wherein employees who identified as individuals with disabilities could voluntarily and confidentially share their experience with accessibility within our organization.

Participants were invited to provide their experience in the following areas: attitudinal, architectural/physical, information and communication (ICT), technology, systemic, employment, attainment of goods and services, design and delivery of programs and transportation. Participants could also share general comments on the importance that Saskatoon Media Group’s culture places on accessibility and inclusivity.

The consultation was in the form of an online questionnaire, sent to all staff. 

External

Saskatoon Media Group reached out to local organizations within the community where we operate.  Specifically, these are organizations who support individuals with disabilities.  Participants were invited to provide details of how they experience Saskatoon Media Group in the following areas: attitudinal, architectural/physical, information and communication (ICT), technology, systemic, employment, attainment of goods and services, design and delivery of programs and transportation. Participants could also share general comments on the importance that Saskatoon Media Group’s culture places on accessibility and inclusivity.

The consultation was in the form of an online questionnaire; two organizations responded.

Feedback from Questionnaire

The questionnaire asked for input regarding barriers, known or experienced, in the nine areas of accessibility.  Space for comments was also provided.

Saskatoon Media Group received feedback from 6 staff members (2 of whom identified as individuals with disabilities), as well as one response from external organizations.

The consultation process provided valuable feedback from firsthand knowledge and experience of the respondents.  Any feedback received is assessed and reviewed by the Accessibility Committee and Senior Management, with appropriate accommodation made where applicable.

Internal Feedback

It was noted that employees with “invisible” disabilities may experience barriers related to attitudes or established processes surrounding productivity and as a result, may impact those employees whose disability may require some flexibility.    These concerns are being reviewed with the Committee and Senior Management.

Positive feedback was provided regarding communication with management; overall, those experiences were seen to be understanding and accommodating.  The internal communication process with senior management continues to be a priority in helping to guide supervisors through the various individual accommodation requests.

Regarding physical barriers, Saskatoon Media Group is located in an older building.  In these older buildings, accessibility needs are considered wherever possible; any new builds are designed taking accessibility into account.

In addition to our own internal processes, it is also necessary to be aware of any potential accessibility barriers that may exist within those organizations that provide Saskatoon Media Group and its employees with products and services (ie the various benefits providers).  In the rare event barriers are identified, Saskatoon Media Group would notify the applicable provider to ensure they are aware of any challenges being experienced in accessing their services.  

External Feedback

Outside organizations found Saskatoon Media Group to be “warm and welcoming”.  It was also noted that, while attitudinal barriers can be a very common happening, Saskatoon Media Group makes the effort to address the challenges brought to their attention.

Consideration

Saskatoon Media Group’s Employment Equity and Accessibility Committee and Executive reviews feedback, when received.  Identified processes are reviewed, and solutions are considered based on individual experience, as well as cultural and business practices.  Additional education and training practices may also be considered.

As Saskatoon Media Group has recently augmented training materials to include multiple formats, the company will continue to assess other areas where multiple formats may be used to increase the accessibility of our products and services.

Conclusion

Over the past year Saskatoon Media Group has made progress in the most applicable areas of accessibility and continues to work toward the removal of barriers in all areas.  Feedback and comments from individuals with disabilities as well as local organizations is an important part of making our workplaces and communities better; the importance of committee review as well as representation through consultation – internally and externally – is clear.

As Saskatoon Media Group moves into the second year of implementing its Accessibility Plan, we look to continued opportunity to receive feedback whether through formal consultation, or general feedback.