Financial Services Regulatory Authority (FSRA) – Multi-Year Accessibility Plan (MYAP) 2023 Annual Status Report

Introduction

The 2023 Fiscal year (FY 2023) Annual Status Report highlights the progress FSRA made with respect to accessibility and in line with the initiatives listed in its MYAP updated in June 2023. 

Some areas of progress are summarized below:

Policies

FSRA has several policies to address accessibility and disability accommodation. These Policies were monitored and updated within the policy review cycle to address identified gaps and accommodate changes in Legislations, Regulations and Directives.

Employment

FSRA developed a formal process to address accommodation requests from prospective interview candidates. FSRA also improved its recruitment practices to make it more inclusive and attractive to persons with disabilities. 

FSRA continuously seeks to remove systemic barriers and ensure people with disabilities can participate fully as job applicants and employees.

Training

Discussions on the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA) were incorporated into FSRA’s regular health and safety meetings to aid proactiveness in FSRA’s accessibility approach, early identification of barriers to accessibility and generate an ongoing discussion around accessibility. 

Employees were trained to educate them on seen, unseen disabilities and on FSRA’s accessibility policies. A change and communication plan was developed to support awareness of the process for, and availability of individual accommodation plans in alignment with the AODA.

Facilities

FSRA maintained and improved its facilities to ensure they meet the accessibility needs of users and the AODA standards.

Communications

FSRA in line with its completed Workplan (as agreed with the Accessibility for Ontarians with disabilities Division of the Ministry for Seniors and Accessibility), decommissioned the Financial Services Commission of Ontario (FSCO) website (one of the previous Regulators amalgamated to create FSRA).

Customer Service

FSRA worked with its customers to ensure information and services were available in accessible formats. Customer facing FRSA staff were trained on how to help individuals with disabilities and those requiring additional assistance.

Procurement

Accessibility was incorporated into the 2023 Procurement processes of FRSA. Vendors were prompted (in the procurement Agreement) and encouraged to ensure accessibility is integrated in their deliverables.

Conclusion

In all, FSRA made good progress with respect to accessibility compliance in FY 2023. FSRA is dedicated to achieving the initiatives outlined in its June 2023 MYAP update unless made impracticable by circumstances beyond FSRA’s control.  

FSRA constantly seeks ways to contribute to the accessibility of Ontarians with disabilities by creating an accessible environment within its organization and complying with its obligations under the AODA and the Integrated Accessibility Standard Regulation (IASR). 

This document is available on FSRA’s website and can also be reproduced in an alternative accessible format upon request via email- [email protected] and