INTEGRATED ACCESSIBILITY STANDARDS & INCLUSION POLICY
THE MARKER PUBLISHING GROUP, INC. LAST MODIFIED: SEPTEMBER 11, 2025
1. OVERVIEW AND STRATEGIC OBJECTIVE
The Integrated Accessibility Standards Regulation (IASR), established under the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act, 2005 (AODA), alongside emerging legislative frameworks such as the Accessible British Columbia Act (ABCA) and the Accessible Canada Act (ACA), mandates the identification and removal of barriers for persons with disabilities. These legal frameworks focus on systemic improvements in several critical operational areas:
- Information and Digital Communications;
- Employment Practices and Human Capital;
- The Built Environment (Physical Infrastructure); and
- Logistics and Transportation Systems.
These regulatory requirements function in tandem with, and do not supersede, the protections afforded under the Ontario Human Rights Code, the British Columbia Human Rights Code, and other provincial human rights statutes. The objective of this policy is to ensure that The Marker Publishing Group maintains rigorous compliance with these integrated standards across its Canadian operations. For inquiries regarding this policy, please contact our Accessibility Compliance Office via email at accessibility@tmpublisher.com.
2. APPLICATION AND JURISDICTIONAL SCOPE
This policy constitutes a binding framework for all personnel operating on behalf of The Marker Publishing Group, Inc. within Ontario, British Columbia, and other applicable Canadian jurisdictions. This includes all permanent and contract employees, volunteers, corporate agents, and third-party contractors who interact with the public or represent the Company’s interests.
3. CORPORATE STATEMENT OF COMMITMENT
The Marker Publishing Group is dedicated to fostering an organizational culture rooted in inclusion and dignity. Our primary mandate is the proactive prevention and systematic eradication of barriers that impede individuals with disabilities. In circumstances where the total removal of such barriers is not immediately feasible, the Company will execute diligent efforts to provide effective, timely, and appropriate accommodations.
We align our operations with the core principles of universal accessibility. As a significant stakeholder in the Canadian publishing and research sector, our ambition is to guarantee seamless access for both our internal workforce and our global clientele. It is the Company’s pledge to ensure that every interaction with our brands—including Orion Research Group and Story Book Nook Creators—is characterized by equity. Our representatives are trained to provide a consistent and high-quality experience to all individuals, ensuring that those with disabilities receive the same standard of service as any other stakeholder.
4. LEGAL AND OPERATIONAL DEFINITIONS
The following terminology, derived from the AODA, IASR, and related provincial accessibility statutes, shall apply within the context of this policy:
“ACCESSIBLE FORMATS” Refers to specialized information presentations including, but not limited to, high-contrast large print, digitized audio recordings, braille, and other electronic formats designed for compatibility with assistive technologies.
“BARRIER” Defined as any factor—whether physical, architectural, technological, or attitudinal—that obstructs a person with a disability from comprehensive participation in societal or corporate activities. This includes restrictive policies, ingrained practices, or informational hurdles.
“COMMUNICATION SUPPORTS” Tools utilized to facilitate effective interaction, such as real-time captioning, augmentative communication devices, plain-language translations, and sign language interpretation.
“DISABILITY” A broad legal term encompassing any degree of physical infirmity, malformation, or disfigurement resulting from illness, injury, or congenital conditions. This includes, but is not limited to, diabetes, epilepsy, cognitive impairments, paralysis, visual or auditory impediments, speech difficulties, or reliance on service animals and mobility devices. It further includes learning disabilities, mental health disorders, and conditions for which benefits are recognized under the Workplace Safety and Insurance Act, 1997 or similar provincial insurance frameworks.
“FEEDBACK” Any communication, whether laudatory or critical, provided by customers or researchers regarding their experience with the Company’s accessibility protocols.
“INTERNET WEBSITE” A digital ecosystem comprised of interconnected web pages, multimedia assets, and data files accessible via a common Uniform Resource Identifier (URI) and available to the general public.
“KIOSK” An interactive digital terminal or point-of-sale interface designed for public utility.
“LARGE ORGANIZATION” An obligated entity, such as The Marker Publishing Group, maintaining a workforce of 50 or more employees within a specific province (e.g., Ontario).
“NEW INTERNET WEBSITE” A digital domain that has been newly registered or an existing web property that has undergone a fundamental architectural refresh or redesign.
“MOBILITY AID / ASSISTIVE DEVICE” Any apparatus, such as a wheelchair, walker, or cane, utilized to facilitate the movement and transport of an individual with a physical disability.
5. INDIVIDUALIZED EMERGENCY RESPONSE ARCHITECTURE
The Marker Publishing Group implements specialized workplace emergency protocols for employees with identified disabilities. Where the nature of a disability necessitates a tailored response, and the Company has been made aware of the need for accommodation, an individualized plan will be architected.
- Designated Assistance: With the employee’s explicit consent, the Company will share these emergency protocols with designated personnel assigned to provide aid during a crisis.
- Timely Execution: These plans will be established as soon as reasonably practicable following the identification of the need.
- Periodic Review: Individualized plans are subject to review upon the employee’s relocation to a new workspace, during overall accommodation assessments, or whenever the Company’s general emergency management policies are updated.
6. GOVERNANCE OF SENSITIVE PERSONAL INFORMATION
Information regarding an individual’s disability is classified as highly sensitive personal data. The Company manages this information with the utmost confidentiality, strictly adhering to our internal privacy doctrines. Should the accommodation process require the involvement of external resource groups or third-party specialists, all parties involved are contractually mandated to maintain rigorous security standards. Data must be stored in secure environments and utilized exclusively for the facilitation of the accommodation.
7. ACCESSIBILITY GOVERNANCE AND POLICIES
Through the implementation of this Integrated Accessibility Standards Policy and supplemental directives (such as our Accessible Customer Service Protocol), The Marker Publishing Group reaffirms its commitment to legislative compliance. These documents are hosted on our primary Internet Website and are available in various Accessible Formats upon request. To ensure continued relevance, this policy undergoes a formal audit at least annually, with more frequent revisions performed in response to legislative shifts or business evolution.
8. MULTI-YEAR ACCESSIBILITY STRATEGY
The Company maintains a comprehensive multi-year accessibility plan designed to track and implement long-term inclusion goals. This strategy is subjected to a formal review and update at least once every five (5) years. The plan is a public document and will be provided in an Accessible Format to any stakeholder upon request.