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Accessibility at Knowledge Network

Knowledge Network is very pleased to publish its first Accessibility Plan for 2024-2027. It outlines our approach to identifying, removing, and preventing barriers to accessibility in alignment with the Accessible Canada Act (ACA) and the Accessible B.C. Act. Knowledge Network strives to create an inclusive environment for our employees, filmmakers, engaged partners and B.C. audiences. We view this plan as the beginning of an ongoing journey regarding accessibility within our organization.

Accessibility Summary

Knowledge Network's Accessibility Plan represents an important step towards creating a more accessible and inclusive environment within Canada's media sector. We are dedicated to ongoing engagement as well as to meeting the objectives of the Accessible Canada Act and the Accessible B.C. Act in the years ahead. As we prepared our Accessibility Plan, we conducted a number of initiatives to gain invaluable input and to work collaboratively with persons with disabilities, our colleagues and engaged partners.

These initiatives include the following:

Establishment of Accessibility Working Group with Certain IBG Members: In the winter of 2024, we formed an Accessibility Working Group comprised of accessibility champions from five Canadian independent broadcaster organizations, as well as legal counsel with expertise in regulatory compliance and accessibility. This Working Group met weekly to discuss action items, best practices and the requirements of the Accessible Canada Act. This collaborative approach was highly effective for small Canadian broadcasters seeking to create a more accessible environment for Canadians.

Establishment of Accessibility Committee Within our Organization: In the winter of 2024, we formed an interim Accessibility Committee with members including Glenna Pollon, Director of Government Relations and Communications, Pamela Pedersen, Manager, Human Resources and Ana Fleming, Executive Assistant to the President and CEO. We will expand this Committee in the coming year with members from across our organization. Our interim Accessibility Committee meets regularly to identify, remove, and prevent accessibility barriers within our environment. We also met to provide important input and insights into the preparation of our Accessibility Plan.

Conducting an Internal Assessment of our Organization: In the spring 2024, we started an assessment of our organization regarding accessibility. This assessment is ongoing and will include a review of our work environment, communications, and our broadcasting service.

Internal Employee Consultation: In the spring of 2024, Knowledge Network conducted an online survey regarding accessibility in our workplace to gather critical information in view of preparing our Accessibility Plan. This optional survey was distributed to all employees, and each was given a week to respond to the questionnaire. 32 employees, or 63% of all staff, participated in the survey and 4 respondents identified as a person living with a disability. We believe that their firsthand experiences are invaluable in identifying any barriers that might exist, as well as providing insightful suggestions on how to address potential barriers.

External Consultations: Knowledge Network engaged in a consultation with disability advocacy groups, experts on accessibility, and persons with disabilities. In British Columbia, we engaged with the Richmond Centre for Disability. Nationally, our IBG Accessibility Working Group engaged with SignAble Vi5ion, the Canadian National Institute for the Blind (CNIB), and DeafBlind Ontario Services. Our engagement with these organizations allowed us to consult with persons living with disabilities and to learn more about barriers they may face in the workplace with hiring practices, communications technologies, and in relation to accessibility and broadcasting services.

Knowledge Network Accessibility Pilot Project: To learn more about digital accessibility for video content platforms, we introduced an Accessibility Pilot Program in 2023 to encourage feedback from viewers living with a disability. This is one of many steps we are taking on our path to become a more inclusive and accessible organization.

Guiding Principles for Accessibility at Knowledge Network: At Knowledge Network, we appreciate the principle of “Nothing Without Us.” We are also mindful of the important principles set out in section 6 of the Accessible Canada Act, which form the basis of our Accessibility Plan and our accessibility decision-making work for the future.

These principles are:

  1. 1. All persons must be treated with dignity regardless of their disabilities.
  2. 2. All persons must have the same opportunity to make for themselves the lives that they are able and wish to have regardless of their disabilities.
  3. 3. All persons must have barrier-free access to full and equal participation in society, regardless of their disabilities.
  4. 4. All persons must have meaningful options and be free to make their own choices, with support if they desire, regardless of their disabilities.
  5. 5. Laws, policies, programs, services and structures must take into account the disabilities of persons, the different ways that persons interact with their Guidance on the Accessible Canada Regulations - Module 1: Accessibility Plans 3 environments and the multiple and intersecting forms of marginalization and discrimination faced by persons.
  6. 6. Persons with disabilities must be involved in the development and design of laws, policies, programs, services and structures.
  7. 7. The development and revision of accessibility standards and the making of regulations must be done with the objective of achieving the highest level of accessibility for persons with disabilities.

Download the full accessibility plan here: Accessibility Plan (opens new window)

Knowledge Network Contact Information, Feedback Process and Alternative Format Requests

If you would like to provide Knowledge Network with feedback relating to accessibility and our organization, our Feedback Process, our Accessibility Plan 2024-2027, or would like to request information in an alternate format, please contact:

Glenna Pollon, Director of Government Relations and Communications
Mailing address: 4355 Mathissi Place, Burnaby B.C. V5G 4S8
Toll-free: 1-877-456-6988
Email: info@knowledge.ca
Online Form: Accessibility Feedback | Knowledge.ca (opens new window)