Accessibility Plan 2023–25
CLE ARWATER PROVINCIAL PARK
Acknowledgement A visit to Manitoba means travelling through Treaty 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5 Territories and through communities who are signatories to Treaties 6 and 10. Manitoba is located on the ancestral land of the Anishinaabeg, Anishininewuk, Dakota Oyate, Denesuline and Nehethowuk Nations and is the Homeland of the Red River Métis. Northern Manitoba includes lands that were and are the ancestral lands of the Inuit. Travel Manitoba respects the spirit and intent of Treaties and Treaty Making and remains committed to working in partnership with First Nations, Inuit and Métis people in the spirit of truth, reconciliation and collaboration.
Message from Travel Manitoba Travel Manitoba is committed to increasing inclusive access to travel in Manitoba by leading provincial tourism marketing initiatives and by fostering growth and diversity in the Manitoba tourism industry. It is a Travel Manitoba priority to provide information and resources for both visitors and for tourism businesses and operators. By supporting both visitors and businesses, Travel Manitoba contributes to providing greater accessibility for all. We are proud of our commitment to identifying, removing and preventing barriers in our organization and the services we provide. As part of this commitment, we have prepared this Accessibility Plan that will serve as a roadmap for management and employees. The goals included in this plan will assist us in meeting the requirements of the Accessibility for Manitobans Act (AMA) during 2023/24 and 2024/25. They will assist us in meeting the requirements of the Manitoba Human Rights Code and the Travel Manitoba Act, and enable us to advocate for and support a more accessible tourism industry in Manitoba. We will continue to review our operations and our goals annually and update this Accessibility Plan every two years. When necessary, we will revise any Travel Manitoba policies, practices, and procedures to ensure our current operations reflect current legislative requirements and our own ongoing accessibility goals. This Accessibility Plan has been developed by Travel Manitoba team members, in consultation with accessibility contacts and individuals with lived experience. The plan has been reviewed by members of our Travel Manitoba Accessibility Working Group and our Board of Directors, and approved by our Executive Management Committee. Travel Manitoba seeks to provide an environment in which all individuals have equal access to our services, in a way that ensures the dignity and independence of persons with disabilities. As always, we welcome your feedback. Your input helps make Travel Manitoba better. Please contact us anytime with your questions or comments.
Colin Ferguson President and CEO, Travel Manitoba
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Table of Contents About Travel Manitoba
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Purpose of Accessibility Plan
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Statement of Commitment to Accessibility
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Accessibility Policies and Procedures
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AMA Compliance Achievements
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Accessibility Achievements Beyond Compliance
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Measures to Identify, Remove, and Prevent Barriers Identifying Barriers Removing and Preventing Barriers Policies, Procedures, and Plans Training Customer Service Information and Communication Employment Built Environment
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Communication of the Plan
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Contact Us
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This document is available in alternate formats upon request. Contact us at 204-927-7800 or accessibility@travelmanitoba.com.
About Travel Manitoba Travel Manitoba is a Crown corporation under provincial legislation that leads and stimulates sustainable tourism growth in Manitoba’s $1.6 billion pre-pandemic tourism industry. In partnership with the tourism industry, the agency is responsible for tourism marketing, visitor information services, research and public information. VALUES • We proudly celebrate the people and lands of Manitoba. • We foster the development of our people and our industry. • We lead with creativity and are backed by data. • We value inclusivity and sustainability. • We live our brand. Manitoba is at the heart of what we do. VISION Manitoba is a must-visit four season destination generating sustainable economic growth by delivering inspiring and authentic experiences in unique urban, rural and wild settings. MISSION Travel Manitoba will support the recovery of tourism’s contribution to the provincial economy by leading the marketing of Manitoba as a tourism destination and by fostering a competitive and sustainable tourism industry. TARGETS • Recover to the 2019 annual tourism expenditure level of $1.6 billion by 2023. • Achieve $2.5 billion in annual tourism expenditure by 2030 (50 per cent growth). GOALS • Lead Brand and Market Positioning • Advance Destination Management • Foster Collaboration & Build Support for Tourism
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BIRDS HILL PROVINCIAL PARK
Purpose of Accessibility Plan This Accessibility Plan will: • Summarize the actions taken by Travel Manitoba to identify, remove and prevent barriers for persons with disabilities; • Describe current and planned measures to ensure ongoing compliance with accessibility legislation; • Describe planned “beyond compliance” measures to achieve greater accessibility and inclusion for Travel Manitoba employees, visitors and industry partners; and • Describe how the plan will be communicated internally and externally.
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Statement of Commitment to Accessibility Travel Manitoba is committed to providing a safe, dignified, and welcoming environment for everyone. We make every effort to provide accessible and inclusive goods and services, information, employment opportunities, and facilities, wherever possible. Travel Manitoba is committed to meeting the requirements of The Accessibility for Manitobans Act (AMA) and applicable accessibility and human rights legislation. We strive to ensure equal access and participation for all.
AS SINIBOINE PARK ZOO, JOURNE Y TO CHURCHILL
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L AKE VIEW RESORT, GIMLI
Accessibility Policies and Procedures The Travel Manitoba Accessibility Policy, Accessibility Plan, Accessibility Feedback Form, and supporting information are available online at travelmanitoba.com/accessibility.
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AMA Compliance Achievements Travel Manitoba is committed to meeting The Accessibility for Manitobans Act (AMA) compliance requirements and deadlines for a Crown corporation. COMPLIANCE STATUS AS OF AUGUST 2023
CATEGORY
REQUIREMENT
Customer Service and Accessibility Training
Provide accessible and timely customer service training for employees to serve customers of all abilities
Customer Service and Accessibility Feedback
Create accessible ways for people to provide feedback
Compliant
Emergency Information
Provide accessible emergency and public safety information
Compliant
Accessibility Policies
Create an accessibility policy
Accessibility Plan
Create a multi-year accessibility plan and update the plan every two years to help Travel Manitoba achieve accessibility goals
Compliant
Keep a written record of accessibility training provided
Provide accessible emergency information to staff Compliant
Make the accessibility policy public at travelmanitoba.com/ accessibility Compliant
Make the multi-year accessibility plan public at travelmanitoba.com/accessibility Employment Practices
Make employment practices accessible, including how the organization hires, retains, and provides career development opportunities
Compliant
Individual Accommodation and Return-towork Plans
Document processes for developing individual accommodation plans and return-to-work plans
Compliant
Public Information
Make public information accessible when requested
Compliant
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Accessibility Achievements Beyond Compliance In addition to meeting its AMA compliance requirements, Travel Manitoba has also accomplished several “beyond compliance” accessibility achievements. Key achievements include the following: • Created a dedicated Accessibility page on the Travel Manitoba website at travelmanitoba.com/accessibility to share Travel Manitoba’s Accessibility Policy, Accessibility Plan, an accessibility feedback form, and related information on accessible services; • Created a dedicated email address (accessibility@travelmanitoba.com) to help ensure prompt and informed responses to accessibility queries; • Travel Manitoba offers a range of mental wellbeing services to employees, including providing the Employee and Family Assistance Program (EFAP) in partnership with the Manitoba government and the Manitoba Government and General Employees’ Union, as well as access to mental health apps and platforms; • Ensured that accessible venues are chosen when arranging Travel Manitoba conferences, events, and annual public meetings; • Developed an Accessibility Working Group to help meet Travel Manitoba’s compliance requirements and ongoing accessibility goals; • Consulted with an external organization, Accessibility Services Canada, to review the Travel Manitoba public website and identify areas requiring changes to meet WCAG 2.1 AA guidelines; • Job applications are accepted in multiple formats, including by mail, email, and in person; • Consulted with an external organization, Incluzia, to review AMA compliance status and to update or create Travel Manitoba accessibility policies, procedures, and plans, including an Accessible Marketing and Communications Plan; • When renovating any properties owned or leased by Travel Manitoba, ensured that facilities are updated and improved to meet current building code requirements and accessibility standards;
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Accessibility Achievements Beyond Compliance continued
• Provided internal surveys to determine levels of employee satisfaction, with management responding to accessibility questions and feedback that may indicate barriers; • Promoted availability of the Manitoba Accessibility Fund to tourism partners through Travel Manitoba’s Industry Newsletter; and • Undertook an extensive media asset development project to gather new photography and video assets, with the goal of reflecting broader and more representative community diversity in marketing campaigns.
CANADIAN MUSEUM FOR HUMAN RIGHT S
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Measures to Identify, Remove, and Prevent Barriers The Vice-President of Finance, Operations and Visitor Services is responsible for managing accessibility requirements and for monitoring Travel Manitoba accessibility initiatives. They are also responsible for integrating budgets into general operational plans to address approved accessibility initiatives. Departments and teams responsible for Travel Manitoba’s accessibility actions and initiatives use various measures to identify, remove, and prevent accessibility barriers. IDENTIFYING BARRIERS In order to meet or exceed AMA compliance requirements, Travel Manitoba welcomes feedback from and seeks opportunities to engage with persons with disabilities and representatives from disability organizations. Feedback and consultation with visitors, employees, and community members who have lived experience assist us in identifying barriers and priorities to address. Acknowledging barriers and creating goals to remove and prevent barriers helps us to create a more accessible environment for all at Travel Manitoba. REMOVING AND PREVENTING BARRIERS Travel Manitoba management and staff, with input from the Accessibility Working Group, have identified the following goals and actions to remove and prevent accessibility barriers at Travel Manitoba over the coming years. Key Travel Manitoba contacts, identified as Action Owners in the tables below, are responsible for ensuring that AMA compliance requirements and Travel Manitoba’s accessibility goals and initiatives are carried out as per both legislative and corporation-determined deadlines.
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Measures to Identify, Remove, and Prevent Barriers continued
POLICIES, PROCEDURES, AND PLANS Travel Manitoba management and staff, including the Accessibility Working Group, are committed to maintaining and reviewing the Accessibility Policy and Accessibility Plan annually and updating the Plan every two years. Reviewing accessibility documents annually will help ensure that Travel Manitoba continues to work towards and accomplish its accessibility goals as planned. It also enables Travel Manitoba to produce an accurate and informative annual accessibility status report. In addition to accessibility policies and plans, any Travel Manitoba policies or procedures identified as presenting barriers to accessibility, diversity, and inclusion will be revised to remove identified barriers. The Vice-President of Finance, Operations and Visitor Services is responsible for tracking progress on Travel Manitoba accessibility initiatives. They will report regularly to the Executive Management Committee to identify and address barriers to achieving approved initiatives.
TARGET COMPLETION DATE
ACCESSIBILITY GOAL
ACTION OWNER
Share the Travel Manitoba Statement of Commitment to Accessibility broadly within Travel Manitoba and make it available to the public.
Communications and Stakeholder Engagement
August 2023
Ensure that emergency plans are in place and available in an accessible format for employees and members of the public.
Human Resources, Visitor Services
January 2023
Review existing policies and procedures with an accessibility, diversity, and inclusion lens and develop and implement action plans to address identified barriers.
Communications and Stakeholder Engagement, Human Resources
Ongoing
Review the multi-year accessibility plan and status of accessibility goals annually and update the plan when required (currently a minimum of every two years).
Communications and Stakeholder Engagement, Human Resources, and Finance, Operations and Visitor Services
Annually
Prepare annual accessibility status updates following review of multi-year accessibility plan.
Communications and Stakeholder Engagement
Annually
Include a section in the Travel Manitoba Annual Report to highlight progress on accessibility compliance requirements and Accessibility Plan goals.
Communications and Stakeholder Engagement
Annually
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Measures to Identify, Remove, and Prevent Barriers continued
TRAINING Travel Manitoba is committed to ensuring that its employees receive training on the AMA and on content in the Manitoba Human Rights Code as it pertains to persons with disabilities. In addition, training will be provided on Travel Manitoba accessibility policies and procedures, as soon as possible following hiring. Currently, all employees complete required training within 30 days of their employment start date. Refresher training is provided when changes are made to accessibility legislation or Travel Manitoba’s accessibility policies and procedures. ACCESSIBILITY GOAL
ACTION OWNER
TARGET COMPLETION DATE
Provide updated refresher training on Emergency and Safety procedures for employees.
Human Resources
December 2023
Continue to provide training and resources for all Travel Manitoba marketing and communications staff on how to create accessible information and communication.
Communications and Stakeholder Engagement and Marketing
Ongoing
Develop an internal online folder including a range of accessibility resources and information to support employees in contributing more effectively to accessibility and inclusion.
Communications and Stakeholder Engagement
September 2023
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Measures to Identify, Remove, and Prevent Barriers continued
CUSTOMER SERVICE Travel Manitoba is committed to providing its services and operating in a way that respects the dignity and independence of persons with disabilities. Travel Manitoba is committed to ensuring that it provides persons with disabilities with equitable access to its services and employment opportunities in the same place and in a similar way as other members of the public. ACCESSIBILITY GOAL
ACTION OWNER
TARGET COMPLETION DATE
Train visitor information staff on availability of accessible tourism experiences throughout Manitoba.
Visitor Services
January 2024
Create an Accessible Tourism content consumer website that promotes accessible tourism accommodations and experiences available throughout the province.
Marketing
December 2024
Include information about accessible travel and tourism experiences in the annual visitors’ guide.
Communications and Stakeholder Engagement
January 2025
Support tourism industry members in providing and promoting accessible tourism experiences.
Communications and Stakeholder Engagement
Ongoing
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Measures to Identify, Remove, and Prevent Barriers continued
INFORMATION AND COMMUNICATION Travel Manitoba is committed to making information and communications accessible to persons with disabilities. This includes a commitment to ensuring both print and online information is accessible to employees and the public, including emergency and safety information and website content. Travel Manitoba is also committed to making every effort to provide information in alternate formats requested by persons with disabilities. TARGET COMPLETION DATE
ACCESSIBILITY GOAL
ACTION OWNER
Provide resources to content creators on how to create information in accessible formats (e.g., accessible Word, PowerPoint, and PDF documents) and with accessible content (e.g., clear language, appropriate terminology, authentic and representative images of the diverse community).
Communications and Stakeholder Engagement
April 2024
Address feedback and recommendations provided in 2021 WCAG 2.1 website accessibility audit in order to make Travel Manitoba websites and web content compliant with WCAG 2.1 level AA guidelines (excluding live captioning and audio description).
Marketing
May 2024
Ensure that Travel Manitoba services, software, and apps are compatible with common personal assistive technologies, such as screen readers and other software aids.
Marketing
Ongoing
Ensure that print and online content uses clear language.
Communications and Stakeholder Engagement
Ongoing
Ensure that print and online information is available in alternate formats on request.
Marketing / Communications and Stakeholder Engagement
Ongoing
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Measures to Identify, Remove, and Prevent Barriers continued
EMPLOYMENT Travel Manitoba is committed to providing fair and accessible employment opportunities. This includes ensuring accessible recruitment and selection processes, creating individualized workplace emergency response plans, and providing formal written accommodation and return to work plans. Travel Manitoba is committed to informing all employees of policies and procedures that support employees with disabilities. TARGET COMPLETION DATE
ACCESSIBILITY GOAL
ACTION OWNER
Ensure that employee accessibility and accommodation requests are addressed and reviewed on a regular basis, upon request by employees and during annual performance reviews.
Human Resources
Ongoing, with annual reviews
Continue to ensure that employees receive AMA and accessibility training in a timely manner, including information covering general legislation, customer service, relevant Human Rights Code content, and corporate accessibility and related policies required for staff to perform their roles effectively and inclusively.
Human Resources
Ongoing, with annual reviews
Update employee onboarding documentation and policies to ensure content is provided in plain language and in accessible formats.
Human Resources
December 2023
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Measures to Identify, Remove, and Prevent Barriers continued
BUILT ENVIRONMENT Travel Manitoba is committed to ensuring that, wherever possible, newly constructed or redeveloped built environments that Travel Manitoba owns, manages, or controls are designed in a way that takes into consideration the prevention or removal of barriers. TARGET COMPLETION DATE
ACCESSIBILITY GOAL
ACTION OWNER
When coordinating facility and site renovations, ensure that applicable building codes and by-laws with respect to accessibility are met and incorporate best practices and universal design elements wherever possible.
Finance, Operations and Visitor Services
Ongoing
Review Travel Manitoba facilities and workplaces to identify and remove barriers wherever possible.
Finance, Operations and Visitor Services
Ongoing
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RIDING MOUNTAIN NATIONAL PARK
Communication of the Plan The 2023–24 Accessibility Plan is available on the Travel Manitoba website at travelmanitoba.com/accessibility and upon request.
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Contact Us Travel Manitoba 21 Forks Market Road, Winnipeg, MB R3C 4T7 Phone: 204-927-7800 Toll Free: 1-800-665-0040 Email: accessibility@travelmanitoba.com