Accessibility Statement

1. Our Commitment to Accessibility

Averra Care is committed to ensuring that our website, digital communications, and services are accessible to all individuals, including persons with disabilities.

We believe that everyone deserves equal access to information and services, and we are continuously working to improve the accessibility of our digital presence in accordance with applicable standards and legislation.

2. AODA Compliance

Averra Care is committed to meeting the requirements of the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act, 2005 (AODA) and its associated standards, including the Integrated Accessibility Standards Regulation (IASR).

Our accessibility efforts include:

• Developing and maintaining an Accessibility Policy
• Providing accessible customer service
• Training staff on accessibility requirements and disability awareness
• Identifying and removing barriers in our services and communications
• Incorporating accessibility into procurement and design decisions

Our multi-year accessibility plan outlines the steps we are taking to prevent and remove barriers for persons with disabilities.

3. Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG)

We strive to conform to the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) 2.1, Level AA as published by the World Wide Web Consortium (W3C).

These guidelines are organized around four principles — content must be:

While we aim for full WCAG 2.1 AA conformance, we recognize this is an ongoing effort and welcome feedback on areas where we can improve.

4. Accessible Features of Our Website

We have implemented the following accessibility features on our website:

• Semantic HTML structure with proper heading hierarchy
• Descriptive alternative text for images
• Sufficient colour contrast ratios for text and interactive elements
• Keyboard navigation support throughout the site
• Visible focus indicators for interactive elements
• ARIA labels and roles for complex UI components
• Responsive design for use across devices and screen sizes
• Form labels associated with their corresponding inputs
• Skip navigation links for screen reader users
• Consistent navigation and page structure

5. Assistive Technologies

Our website is designed to be compatible with commonly used assistive technologies, including:

• Screen readers (e.g., NVDA, JAWS, VoiceOver)
• Screen magnification software
• Voice recognition software
• Keyboard-only navigation
• High contrast display modes

If you experience difficulty using our website with an assistive technology, please contact us so we can assist you directly.

6. Accessible Customer Service

Averra Care is committed to providing accessible customer service to all individuals, including persons with disabilities.

We will:

• Communicate with persons with disabilities in a manner that takes their disability into account
• Welcome the use of personal assistive devices, service animals, and support persons
• Provide notice when accessible facilities or services are temporarily unavailable
• Invite feedback on how we provide accessible services
• Respond to accessibility feedback in a timely manner

7. Alternative Formats

Upon request, Averra Care will provide information in accessible formats or with communication supports.

We can provide:

• Large print documents
• Plain language summaries
• Electronic formats compatible with assistive technologies
• Verbal communication of written information

Please contact us to request an accessible format. We will work with you to provide the information in a way that meets your needs.

8. Known Limitations

While we strive for full accessibility, some areas of our website may not yet fully conform to WCAG 2.1 AA standards. We are actively working to address these gaps.

Known areas under improvement include:

• Some third-party embedded content may not meet all accessibility standards
• Older PDF documents may not be fully accessible — updated versions are provided upon request
• Some complex interactive components are being reviewed for enhanced screen reader support

We are committed to resolving these issues as part of our ongoing accessibility improvement process.

9. Feedback & Accessibility Requests

We welcome feedback on the accessibility of our website and services. If you encounter any barriers or have suggestions for improvement, please contact us.

We are committed to responding to accessibility feedback within 5 business days and to resolving identified issues in a timely manner.

10. Policy Updates

This Accessibility Statement will be reviewed and updated periodically to reflect improvements to our website and services.

We are committed to the ongoing identification and removal of barriers, and to meeting or exceeding our obligations under the AODA and applicable accessibility standards.