Accessibility statement

01Our commitment

Amit Sharda, operating under Billyard Insurance Group Ltd. (the "Brokerage"), is committed to providing services to people with disabilities in a way that respects their dignity, independence, integration and equal opportunity, in accordance with the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act, 2005 (AODA), the Integrated Accessibility Standards Regulation (IASR, O. Reg. 191/11), and the Ontario Human Rights Code.

02Standards we follow

• Customer Service Standard — accessible service for clients and visitors;
• Information & Communications Standard — accessible documents, websites and feedback processes;
• Employment Standard — accessible recruitment, accommodation and return-to-work practices for the Brokerage;
• WCAG 2.0 Level AA — the digital-content benchmark required by IASR for public-facing websites.

03Accessible customer service

Whether you contact us by phone, email, video meeting or in person, we will work with you to identify any communication or accessibility need and adjust how we serve you. That includes scheduling appointments at times that work for you, allowing extra time for review of documents, reading documents aloud, or meeting in an alternative location when necessary.

04Website & digital content

insuredwithamit.com is designed to conform to the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) 2.0 Level AA. Specifically, we aim to provide:

• Semantic HTML, descriptive headings and landmarks for screen-reader navigation;
• Sufficient colour contrast and visible focus states for keyboard users;
• Text that scales without loss of content or function up to 200%;
• Alternative text for meaningful images and labels for form inputs;
• Captions or transcripts for any pre-recorded audio or video content we publish;
• Operability with keyboard alone, without requiring a mouse or trackpad.

Some content provided by third parties (insurer portals, embedded videos, social-media plugins) may not fully meet these standards. Where you encounter a barrier, please tell us using the feedback process in Section 9 and we will work with you to provide the information another way.

05Alternate formats & communication supports

On request, we will provide or arrange for the provision of accessible formats and communication supports for the information we control, in a timely manner that takes into account your accessibility needs, and at a cost no greater than the regular cost charged to other persons.

Available formats include, on request:

• Large print (16 pt minimum) versions of our marketing and information materials;
• Plain-text or accessible PDF versions of documents;
• Verbal walk-throughs of policy wordings and forms over phone or video;
• Email read-backs in plain language;
• Coordination of sign-language interpretation or other communication support for meetings, with reasonable advance notice.

We will consult with you to determine the format that best meets your needs. Carrier policy wordings and other documents controlled by the insurer are subject to that insurer's own accessibility processes.

06Assistive devices, service animals & support persons

You are welcome to use your own assistive device, to be accompanied by a service animal, or to be accompanied by a support person while interacting with us. We will not require a person with a disability to be accompanied by a support person except where it is necessary to protect health or safety, and only after consultation with you and consideration of available alternatives.

07Notice of temporary disruption

If a facility or service that people with disabilities usually use to access our services is temporarily disrupted, we will provide notice that includes the reason for the disruption, its anticipated duration, and a description of any alternative facilities or services available. Notice will be posted at insuredwithamit.com and at any affected location.

08Training

Amit Sharda and any employee, agent, volunteer or contractor who interacts with the public on our behalf receives training on:

• The purposes of the AODA 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 who use an assistive device or who require the assistance of a service animal or support person;
• What to do if a person with a disability is having difficulty accessing our services;
• The Brokerage's accessibility policies.

Training is provided as soon as practicable after a person assumes their role and whenever the policies change. Records of training are maintained by the Brokerage. [CONFIRM training program details with Billyard Insurance Group.]

09Feedback process

We welcome feedback about how we provide services to people with disabilities. Feedback helps us identify barriers and improve. You can submit feedback in any of the following ways:

We will acknowledge feedback within five (5) business days and respond substantively within thirty (30) days, in the format you request where reasonably possible. Anonymous feedback is welcome but limits our ability to follow up. Feedback is handled confidentially and in accordance with our Privacy Policy.

10Multi-year accessibility plan

The Brokerage maintains a Multi-Year Accessibility Plan describing its strategy to prevent and remove barriers and to meet IASR obligations. A copy is available on request in an accessible format. Progress against the plan is reviewed at least once per year. [LINK or attach Brokerage Multi-Year Accessibility Plan.]

11Review & updates

This statement is reviewed at least every five (5) years, or sooner following a material change in our services or in the law. The "Last updated" date reflects the most recent revision.

12Contact