Requirement 8: Accessibility Training

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  Requirement eight states that organizations must ensure employees complete accessibility training as soon as possible and when there have been updates to the organization’s accessibility measures, policies or practices.

  Training must address the requirements of the Accessibility Standard for Customer Service, as included in this online learning program, a review of The Accessibility for Manitobans Act and the Manitoba Human Rights Code, and related organizational policies and practices.

  Employees must also be trained on how to use assistive devices that are available for customer use.

  What can you do to meet this requirement?

  1. Require all employees, including owners, managers, and frontline staff to take customer service training, such as this online module. As a group, discuss how the training relates to the customer service practices of your organization. For help getting the discussion started, see the Accessible Customer Service Facilitator’s Guide (PDF) (Word).
  2. Encourage questions and feedback. Create a safe and inviting environment to share concerns about accessibility.
  3. Centre the perspectives and advice of people with disabilities in your training. Personal stories that relate to accessibility in a person’s own life can be valuable. Remember, nearly one in four Manitobans has a disability, and others will age into disability, so everyone is affected.
  4. If you have assistive devices or other accessibility features available for customers, ensure that your employees are familiar with using them and explaining how to use the tools. For example, providing customers with clear and simple instructions on how to access the settings on a computer, or a mobility device.
  5. Have a plan to train new staff and volunteers about customer service. Include this online learning module as a part of your training plan for staff and volunteers. Organizations with over 50 staff must write down their training plan.