Application

This NHL Accessibility Policy applies to the operations of the National Hockey League and National Hockey League Enterprises Canada L.P. (collectively, the "NHL") only in the Province of Ontario. For clarity, this Policy only applies to facilities, goods and/or services in which the NHL has direct control, and not the facilities, goods or services of any NHL Member Club or related entity operating in Ontario.

This Policy outlines the strategy of the NHL to achieve accessibility and otherwise meet the requirements of the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act, 2005 ("AODA").

Statement of Commitment

The NHL is committed to eliminating barriers and improving accessibility for persons with disabilities in a manner that respects dignity, independence, integration and equal opportunity. To this end, we will endeavour to meet the needs of persons with disabilities in a timely manner and will do so by preventing and removing barriers to accessibility as may be required under the AODA.

The NHL is committed to providing goods and services to persons with disabilities in a manner that:

• Is free from discrimination,
• Seeks to provide integrated services,
• Is in an accessible format, where/when possible, and
• Takes into consideration a person's specific disability.

The NHL encourages all of its employees to assist with maximizing accessibility within the NHL by:

• Identifying potential barriers and proposing ways to remove them,
• Participating in training,
• Learning how to interact with persons with disabilities, including those who require the use of a support person or service animal, and
• Learning how to use existing accessibility devices. 

Accessibility Coordinator

The NHL has appointed an Accessibility Coordinator who provides primary oversight and guidance on the implementation of AODA accessibility standards and consults with other departments at the NHL, as needed. The Accessibility Coordinator facilitates access for persons with disabilities to the building or premises and address all other matters arising under the AODA.

As appropriate, the Accessibility Coordinator also supports and works with managers, supervisors and employees to ensure ongoing compliance, to remove barriers, and to improve accessibility. The Accessibility Coordinator will review the NHL's various accessibility policies, practices and procedures on an ongoing, periodic basis.

Accessibility Policies

The NHL will develop, implement and maintain any other accessibility policies, plans or procedures, and take all other measures that may be required by the AODA or any of the regulations or accessibility standards.

Multi-year Accessibility Plan

The NHL will maintain a Multi-Year Accessibility Plan ("Accessibility Plan") which will be made available in an accessible format, upon request. The Accessibility Plan will set forth how we plan to meet our requirements under the AODA, including policies related to customer service, employment, information and communication. The Accessibility Plan will be reviewed and updated regularly, but no less than once every five (5) years.

Information and Communication

The NHL is committed to meeting the communication needs of people with disabilities. Upon request, the NHL will consult with persons with disabilities, including both customers and employees, to determine their information and communication needs. Accessible formats and communication supports are available upon request.

Employment

The NHL is committed to ensuring that its recruitment, advancement, performance management and other employment programs, practices and policies are fair and accessible, are inclusive of persons with disabilities, and are provided to all employees and prospective employees in a manner that is free from discrimination. The NHL has established an internal Accessible Employment Policy in accordance with its obligations under the AODA.

Training

In accordance with the AODA, the NHL will provide training to applicable individuals on Ontario's accessibility laws and on the Human Rights Code as it relates to people with disabilities.

The Accessibility Coordinator with coordinate with management, human resources and other staff as appropriate to ensure that training takes place as soon as practicable upon hire and any time any of the NHL's accessibility policies are modified.

The NHL will ensure appropriate records are kept of the training provided.

More Information

For more information on this or any other accessibility policy, or to receive a copy of any of the policies or other documents required by the AODA, please contact the NHL's Accessibility Coordinator at:

Accessible formats of this document are available for free, upon request.

Reviewed: June 14, 2021

Application

This Accessible Customer Service Policy applies to the operations of the National Hockey League and National Hockey League Enterprises Canada L.P. (collectively, the "NHL") only in the Province of Ontario. For clarity, this Policy only applies to facilities, goods and/or services in which the NHL has direct control, and not the facilities, goods or services of any NHL Member Club or related entity operating in Ontario.

Statement of Commitment

In accordance with the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (the "AODA"), the NHL is committed to providing a climate of mutual respect in which all persons, irrespective of any disability they may have, will have the same opportunity to access our goods and services.

The NHL will endeavour to maintain policies, practices and procedures that are consistent with the core principles of dignity, equal opportunity, integration and independence for all persons with disabilities.

Communications and Assistive Devices

All communication with people with disabilities will be done in a manner that takes into account that person's disability. To that end, persons using Assistive Devices will be permitted - where possible and permitted by law - to use those Assistive Devices while on any part of our premises which are open to the public. It is understood, however, that the use and safety of any personal Assistive Devices is the responsibility of the person with the disability.

Where the use of an Assistive Device cannot be used because of some barrier (physical or otherwise), attempts will be made to remove the barrier or the person with the disability will be asked how he or she can be accommodated, and/or what alternative methods may be available to assist the person in accessing our goods, services or facilities.

Assistive Devices available to address possible communication issues include: telephones, email, video conferencing systems, and pen & paper. Assistive Devices available to address physical barriers to accessibility might include: elevators, wheelchair accessible washrooms, and automatic doors.

Employees will be trained on how to communicate with persons with disabilities as well as on how to use each of the above Assistive Devices, as appropriate for their position.

"Assistive Devices" refers to any tool, technology or other mechanism that enables a person with a disability to maintain their independence in everyday life by performing tasks and activities such as moving, communicating or lifting.

Service Animals

For the purpose of this Policy, an animal is considered a "service animal" if:
(1) It is readily apparent that the animal is used by a person with a disability for reasons relating to his or her disability; or
(2) The person provides a letter from a physician or nurse confirming the need for the animal for reason(s) relating to a disability.

Service animals may include guide dogs, hearing alert animals (alerts owner to sounds), seizure alert animals (alerts owner to oncoming seizure; steers owner from danger during seizure), and psychiatric service animals (retrieves and prompts owner to take medicine; leads owner out of crowds; retrieves or activates medical alerts).

A person with a disability who is accompanied by a service animal is permitted access to all parts of the NHL's premises that are open to the public, provided that the animal is not otherwise excluded by law. If for some reason the service animal is excluded by law, the NHL will attempt to find an alternate means to provide access to the person with the disability within a reasonable time frame.

If it is not readily apparent that the animal is a service animal, the NHL reserves the right to ask the person with the disability to provide a letter from an appropriate medical professional confirming that the person requires the animal for reasons relating to his or her disability. The decision about whether to request such a letter shall be made by the Accessibility Coordinator.

Employees will receive training on how to interact with a person with a disability who is accompanied by a service animal, as appropriate for their position.

Support Persons

For the purposes of this Policy, a "support person" is any person who accompanies a person with a disability to assist that person with their disability, such as to provide assistance with mobility issues, communication, personal or medical needs, or to help access goods or services.

A person with a disability who is accompanied by a support person will be allowed to have that person accompany him or her on any part of our premises which are open to the public.

Employees will receive training on how to interact with a person with a disability who is accompanied by a support person, as appropriate for their position, which shall include, among other things:

• Communicating directly with the customer, rather than the support person; and
• Addressing potential issues of confidentiality.

Notice of Temporary Disruption

In the event of a planned or unexpected disruption to the services offered out of our Toronto office, such as access to our building, notice will be posted at the entrance of the office to which the public has access. The posted notice will include information about: (i) the date, time and location of the disruption; (ii) the reason for the disruption, if known; (iii) the anticipated length of time, and (iv) description of alternative access to our services available, if any.

Training for Staff

Training will be provided to NHL staff covered under this Policy including ongoing training when changes are made to this Policy. This training will be provided to new employees covered under this Policy as soon as practical following hiring.

Training will include:

• An overview of the AODA;
• The specific requirements of the Customer Service Standard;
• A review of this Policy;
• How to interact and communicate with people with various disabilities and with those who use Assistive Devices or require the assistance of a service animal or support person;
• How to use the Assistive Devices we already have; and
• What to do if a person with a disability is having difficulty accessing our goods, services or facilities.

Feedback Process

Any individual may provide feedback about the way in which we provide our goods and services to people with disabilities. This may include areas that require changes or improvements. All feedback can be provided via telephone, email or in writing and directed to the NHL's Accessibility Coordinator:

If a person's disability prevents them from providing feedback by email or in writing, alternative arrangements will be made which take into account the person's disability.

All feedback relating to accessibility of our services will be directed to the Accessibility Coordinator who will review the issues raised. The NHL will attempt to respond in the same format as the feedback is received. When complaints or concerns are received, every effort will be made to respond within thirty (30) days of the receipt of the complaint or concern, or earlier where practicable and appropriate.

Review of Policies

All of our policies, practices and procedures will be reviewed on an ongoing basis to ensure compliance with the AODA.

Accessibility of Documents

This Policy and all other documents required by the AODA can be obtained by contacting the Accessibility Coordinator using the contact information set out above. Upon request, reasonable attempts will be made to provide these documents to clients with disabilities in a format that takes into account the person's disability.

Notice of availability of these documents will be posted in a conspicuous place at the NHL Toronto office and on the NHL website.

Reviewed: June 14, 2021

Application

This NHL Multi-Year Accessibility Plan (the "Accessibility Plan") applies to the operations of the National Hockey League and National Hockey League Enterprises Canada L.P. (collectively, the "NHL") only in the Province of Ontario. For clarity, this Policy only applies to facilities, goods and/or services in which the NHL has direct control, and not the facilities, goods or services of any NHL Member Club or related entity operating in Ontario.

Purpose

This Accessibility Plan outlines the strategy of the NHL to prevent and remove barriers, address the current and future requirements of the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act, 2005 ("AODA") and to fulfill the commitments outlined in the NHL's Accessibility Policy.

Accessible Customer Service Standard

In accordance with the NHL's Accessible Customer Service Policy, the NHL is committed to providing a climate of mutual respect in which all persons, irrespective of any disability they may have, will have the same opportunity to access our goods and services.

Actions Taken

• The development of an Accessible Customer Service Policy, which is posted in the Toronto office and available upon request.
• Provide training to employees on the specific requirements of the Customer Service Standard and how to interact with people with various disabilities and supports.
• Established a procedure to provide notice of a temporary disruption to our services.
• Established a process to receive feedback regarding the way in which the NHL provides goods and services to people with disabilities.

Information and Communication Accessibility Standards

The NHL is committed to making information and feedback processes accessible to people with disabilities. As required, we will consult with people with disabilities to determine their information and communication needs.

Actions Taken

• Created a feedback process, available to the public that can be provided in accessible formats, upon request.
• Taken steps to develop and update our websites and web content conform to WCAG 2.0 Level AA.
• Posted required policy documents on the NHL website.

Planned Action

• Continued consultation with people with disabilities to determine their information and communication need.
• Develop new content and update existing content of websites to conform with WCAG 2.0 Level AA.

Employment Accessibility Standards

The NHL is committed to inclusive and accessible employment practices.

Actions Taken

• Developed a process for individual accommodation plans for employees who require accommodation due to a disability.
• Provided information about the availability of accommodation for job applicants with disabilities during the recruitment and selection process.
• Provided employees with disabilities access to any information they need to perform their jobs, and access, upon request, to any employment-related information that is generally available to NHL employees in the workplace in a format that is accessible to that employee.
• Provided individuals with disabilities the same access to career development and training opportunities as all other employees. The NHL considers the needs of employees with disabilities during any performance management process and when an employee is moved to a new position or is promoted.
• Created a plan to provide any additional reasonable accommodations that may be required in the event of an emergency (e.g. fire or other event requiring evacuation) and to document these measures.

Planned Action

• Continue to review the NHL's processes for preparing and providing individualized workplace emergency response information and documented individual accommodation plans.
• Continue to provide information about the availability of accommodation for job applicants with disabilities during the recruitment and selection process.
• Ongoing consultation with management, human resources, and other business partners, as appropriate, to ensure that all employees with disabilities who have requested such support have been provided with accessible formats and communication supports for any information that is needed for the employee to perform his or her job and that is otherwise generally made available in the workplace.

Training

In accordance with the AODA, the NHL will provide training to applicable individuals on Ontario's accessibility laws and on the Human Rights Code as it relates to people with disabilities.

Actions Taken

• The NHL has developed employee training on the following:
  • Purposes and requirements of the AODA, including the Integrated Accessibility Standards Regulation (Regulation 191/11) and all five (5) Accessibility Standards
  • Requirements of the Human Rights Code as it pertains to persons with disabilities
  • How to interact and communication with persons with various types of disabilities as well as those who use an assistive device, or require the assistance of a service animal or support person
  • How to use equipment or devices available from the NHL that may help with the provision of goods or services to a person with a disability
  • What to do if a person with a particular type of disabilities is having difficulty accessing our goods or services

Planned Action

• Continue to provide training to all employees as soon a practicable after hire.

Availability of Accessibility Plan

This Accessibility Plan is posted on the NHL's website and will be provided in an accessible format, upon request. This Accessibility Plan will be reviewed and updated regularly, but no less than once every five (5) years.

More Information

For more information on this or any other accessibility policy, or to receive a copy of any of the policies or other documents required by the AODA, please contact the NHL's Accessibility Coordinator at:

Accessible formats of this document are available for free, upon request.

Reviewed: June 14, 2021