Ontario Securities Commission Accessibility Policy - Providing Goods and Services to People with Disabilities

The mandate of the Ontario Securities Commission (OSC) is to provide protection to investors from unfair, improper or fraudulent practices, to foster fair and efficient capital markets and confidence in capital markets, and to contribute to the stability of the financial system and the reduction of systemic risk.

In fulfilling our mandate, the OSC strives at all times to provide its goods and services in a way that respects the dignity and independence of people with disabilities. We are committed to giving people with disabilities the same opportunity to access our goods and services and allowing them to benefit from the same goods and services, in the same place and in a similar way as other members of the public.

The OSC is committed to excellence in providing goods and services to all members of the public, including people with disabilities and we will carry out our functions and responsibilities in the following areas:

3.1 Communication

We will communicate with people with disabilities in a manner that takes into account their disability. We will train staff on how to interact and communicate with people with various types of disabilities.

3.2 Publications

We will provide our publications in alternative formats, upon request, in a timely manner, dependent upon document specifications (e.g. length of document, format required).

3.3 Telephone services

We are committed to providing fully accessible telephone service to all members of the public. We will train staff to communicate over the telephone in clear and plain language and to speak clearly and slowly. We will offer to communicate with people by Teletypewriter (TTY) and email if telephone communication is not suitable to their communication needs or is not available.

3.4 Assistive devices

We are committed to providing goods and services to people with disabilities who use assistive devices to use or benefit from our goods and services. We will ensure that our staff is familiar with various assistive devices that may be used by people with disabilities while accessing our goods and services.

We will also ensure that staff know how to use the assistive devices that are available on our premises. The following assistive devices have been installed or are available:

Building common areas:

  • Automatic door operators have been installed at both the street entrance and mall entrance to our building.
  • The lobby also has wheelchair elevators/lifts at both the street entrance and mall entrance. Assistance in using these devices is immediately available by pressing the contact button located at the lifts.
  • Elevator surrounds have raised lettering and Braille signage to indicate floor numbers.
  • Elevator interiors have raised numeric pad for floor selections.
  • Audio notification is provided at each elevator lobby to indicate elevator direction (one ring tone for up two ring tones for down).

Within the OSC premises:

  • Automated door operators have been installed at public access points, and within floor interiors of the OSC.
  • Stand-alone gender neutral accessible washrooms are located on the 12th, 14th, 17th, 20th and 21st floors.
  • The computer located at the public records window on the 22nd floor has been equipped with a large print keyboard and Zoom Text software.
  • Swing arm magnifier/light is available at the public records window on the 22nd floor.
  • Counsel tables for both parties and general seating in the Hearing Rooms are wheelchair accessible.
  • Kitchen counters on renovated floors are designed to provide wheelchair access.
  • OSC can be contacted by TTY at 1-866-827-1295

We are committed to welcoming people with disabilities who are accompanied by a service animal to the areas of our premises that are open to the public and other third parties. Alternative measures will be explored if the service animal is excluded by law.

We are committed to welcoming people with disabilities who are accompanied by a support person. Any person with a disability who is accompanied by a support person will be allowed to enter the OSC premises with his or her support person. At no time will a person with a disability who is accompanied by a support person be prevented from having access to his or her support person while on our premises.

The OSC will provide notice in the event of a planned or unexpected disruption in the facilities or services usually used by people with disabilities. This notice will include information about the reason for the disruption, its anticipated duration, and a description of alternative facilities or services, if available. The notice will be placed at all public entrances and service counters on our premises and posted on our website.

The OSC will provide training to all employees. Training will include the following:

  • The purpose of the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act, 2005 and the requirements of the customer service standard.
  • How to interact and communicate with people with various types of disabilities.
  • How to interact with people with disabilities who use an assistive device or require the assistance of a service animal or a support person.
  • Availability of assistive devices available on our premises.
  • What to do if a person with a disability is having difficulty in accessing the OSC’s goods and services.
  • The OSC’s policies, practices and procedures relating to the customer service standard.

This training will be provided when staff commence their duties. All staff will be required to confirm that they have been trained in the OSC’s accessibility policies, practices and procedures. Staff will also be trained on an ongoing basis when changes are made to these policies, practices and procedures.

We are committed to service excellence and we welcome your feedback. Call toll-free: 1-877-785-1555, TTY 1-866-827-1295, get in touch by e-mail at [email protected], or contact us via our website www.osc.ca.

Any feedback received will be reviewed and directed to the appropriate individual and responded to within 48 hours. We will ensure our feedback process is accessible to people with disabilities by providing or arranging for accessible formats and communication supports, on request.

We are committed to developing accessible goods and services policies that respect and promote the dignity and independence of people with disabilities. Therefore, no changes will be made to this policy before considering the impact on people with disabilities. All policies of the OSC will respect and promote the dignity and independence of people with disabilities.

Qualified OSC Inquiries Officers are available Monday to Friday between 8:30 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. to take your questions. If you have a question concerning accessibility at the OSC, please contact us. Call toll-free: 1-877-785-1555, TTY 1-866-827-1295, get in touch by e-mail at [email protected], or contact us via our website www.osc.ca.