Table of Contents
- General
1.1 Statement of Commitment
1.2 Contact Information & Feedback Process
1.3 Alternate Formats - Executive Summary
2.1 Definitions - Areas Described Under Section 5 of the Accessible Canada Act (ACA)
3.1 The Built Environment
3.2 Employment
3.3 Information and Communication Technologies (ICT)
3.4 Communication, other than ICT
3.5 The Procurement of Goods, Services and Facilities
3.6 The Design and Delivery of Programs and Services
3.7 Transportation
3.8 Organization-Wide Initiatives - Consultations
- Conclusion
1. General
The Government of Canada introduced the Accessible Canada Act (ACA) to realize a barrier-free Canada by 2040. All federally regulated organizations, including telecommunications and IT providers, are required to publish a plan outlining how they will identify, remove, and prevent barriers to accessibility.
1.1 Statement of Commitment
At Megawire Inc., we are committed to advancing accessibility and inclusion in every aspect of our operations. We recognize that accessibility is a continuous journey, not a fixed outcome. As a Canadian-owned and operated Managed Service Provider (MSP), we pledge to identify and remove barriers for our employees, partners, and customers—ensuring equal access to our physical spaces, digital services, and customer experiences.
We are fully committed to meeting the requirements of the ACA and to fostering a culture of dignity, respect, and participation for persons with disabilities.
1.2 Contact Information & Feedback Process
We welcome feedback from the public, customers, and employees. Input is reviewed in good faith and informs how we improve our services and environment.
You can submit feedback about accessibility or this plan via:
Phone
📞 519-886-1886
Mail
📬 Accessibility Team
Megawire Inc.
34 Durward Pl.
Waterloo, ON N2L 4E4
All feedback will be acknowledged in the same format it was received (unless anonymous), within 72 hours.
1.3 Alternate Formats
You may request this plan or our feedback process in alternative formats. These include:
- Print and large print
- Braille
- Audio format
- Electronic (screen-reader friendly)
- Other agreed-upon formats
Delivery timelines:
- Print, large print, and electronic formats: within 20 days
- Braille or audio formats: within 45 days
2. Executive Summary
At Megawire, our mission is to deliver secure, high-performance IT solutions that empower Canadian businesses. But equally important is how we deliver these solutions—with accessibility, equity, and dignity for all.
This Accessibility Plan outlines our approach to identifying and addressing barriers for people with disabilities across seven key areas outlined in the ACA. We understand that accessibility benefits everyone, and this plan is an evolving commitment to create a workplace and service model where everyone can thrive.
2.1 Definitions
Disability: A long-term or episodic impairment that may impact physical, mental, cognitive, or communication ability. Disabilities can be visible or invisible, permanent or temporary.
Barrier: Anything that hinders full and equal participation. Barriers can be physical, technological, attitudinal, informational, or systemic.
Accessibility: The design of products, services, environments, and policies that ensure they are usable by everyone, including people with disabilities.
3. Areas Described Under Section 5 of the ACA
3.1 The Built Environment
While the majority of Megawire’s services are delivered remotely or through client premises, our Waterloo-based headquarters is open to staff and visitors. The building includes:
- Wide, automatic-entry doors
- Barrier-free washroom facilities
- Accessible pathways between workstations
- Ground-floor access to all client-facing areas
Planned Improvements (2024–2026):
- Evaluate feasibility of stair-lift or ramp installations for secondary areas
- Conduct annual internal audits on facility accessibility
- Train all team members on physical accessibility best practices
3.2 Employment
Our employment practices reflect our belief in a respectful and inclusive workplace. We recognize the need for reasonable accommodations in recruitment, onboarding, professional development, and daily work life.
Actions:
- All employees will receive accessibility training by Q4 2025
- Accessibility standards will be added to onboarding for all new hires
- All job postings will include accommodation language and processes
- Our recruitment process will be reviewed by a third-party consultant
- Guidelines for requesting accommodations will be published internally
3.3 Information and Communication Technologies (ICT)
Our digital infrastructure is critical to both customer interaction and internal operations. Megawire is committed to ensuring that all public-facing platforms and internal systems are accessible.
Goals:
- Full WCAG 2.1 Level AA audit of www.megawire.com by Q1 2026
- Address screen reader compatibility across all public pages
- Provide all public documents in accessible formats (PDF/HTML)
- Train staff on digital accessibility tools (e.g., Microsoft Accessibility Checker)
- Standardize accessible formatting for client deliverables
3.4 Communication, other than ICT
Beyond digital systems, we acknowledge that clear, inclusive communication must extend to print materials, marketing, and customer interactions.
Commitments:
- Provide documents (invoices, service agreements, marketing content) in alternative formats upon request
- Ensure all images posted online have descriptive alt-text
- Train staff on clear communication practices across all mediums
- Incorporate accessibility as a checkpoint in marketing and sales collateral development
3.5 Procurement of Goods, Services, and Facilities
Our vendors and service providers play a critical role in delivering quality solutions. We aim to embed accessibility in our procurement practices.
Actions:
- Include accessibility criteria in procurement templates and RFPs
- Train procurement staff to evaluate accessibility in supplier selection
- Prioritize accessible design when procuring software, hardware, or facilities services
- Benchmark against government and industry procurement accessibility standards
3.6 The Design and Delivery of Programs and Services
Whether we’re implementing cybersecurity solutions, managing infrastructure, or consulting on cloud deployments, we are committed to inclusive service delivery.
Steps Forward:
- Develop internal checklists to assess accessibility impacts for client-facing services
- Implement a client feedback mechanism specific to accessibility in service experiences
- Train account managers and technical staff on inclusive communication and service delivery practices
- Ensure that consultation sessions (onsite or remote) accommodate accessibility requests
3.7 Transportation
Megawire does not currently operate transportation services. Should our operations evolve to include transportation, we will perform a full accessibility review and update this plan accordingly.
3.8 Organization-Wide Initiatives
We believe inclusion is everyone’s responsibility. We will provide regular, role-specific training to all staff and encourage a proactive mindset around barrier removal and universal design.
Ongoing Initiatives:
- Annual accessibility training refreshers
- Quarterly awareness campaigns for staff
- Inclusion of accessibility in performance metrics for relevant roles
- Leadership accountability through policy reviews and annual reporting
4. Consultations
To prepare this plan, Megawire conducted internal discussions and anonymous surveys with staff across multiple departments. We also consulted individuals familiar with accessibility legislation, digital inclusion, and user experience. Although we are a mid-sized company, we value direct feedback and will continue to seek input from individuals with lived experience of disability.
Future Plans:
- Launch an Accessibility Advisory Group in 2026
- Continue anonymous accessibility surveys each year
- Engage third-party consultants for periodic audits and updates
5. Conclusion
Megawire believes that accessibility is essential to operational excellence. As a provider of IT services across Canada, we are uniquely positioned to model inclusive technology, communications, and employment practices.
We commit to updating this plan every three years, with annual reviews to monitor progress and evolve our approach. Accessibility is not a checkbox—it’s a continuous commitment to making our company and services welcoming to everyone.