General

Transport Yamachiche Inc. has designated Anthony Massicotte as the Accessibility Officer within the organization.

• Position title: Accessibility Officer

• Email address: a.massicotte@transportyamachiche.com

• Mailing address: 2001 Bradley Road, Saint-Maurice, Quebec G0X 2X0

• Telephone number: (819) 379-5627

Anthony Massicotte is responsible for ensuring compliance with accessibility legislation and implementing the measures necessary to guarantee the accessibility of the services offered by Transport Yamachiche Inc.

Summary

Transport Yamachiche Inc. is a company founded in 1980 and located in Saint-Maurice, Quebec, with a fleet of approximately 25 trucks.

• The company primarily serves Canada as well as certain destinations in the United States.

• It offers various types of equipment, including lowboy trailers for oversized loads, B-Trains for long-distance high-capacity hauling, curtain-side trailers for quick loading and unloading, and boom trucks for lifting and placing materials on job sites.

• Goods transported include construction materials, industrial machinery, and steel structures.

• Key initiatives include redesigning the recruitment page, developing a decision-making framework for accommodations, conducting a built-environment accessibility audit scheduled by September 2025, and establishing a procedure to ensure document accessibility.

• Staff training on accessibility and collaboration with a dedicated committee are also priorities in creating an inclusive and equitable environment.

Accessibility Statement

Transport Yamachiche Inc.’s accessibility statement reflects our commitment to ensuring that all our operations and services are accessible to everyone, including persons with disabilities. As an organization, we recognize the importance of accessibility and comply with the Accessible Canada Act, as well as applicable standards such as CAN/CSA B651-18 and WCAG 2.2 guidelines.

We believe accessibility goes beyond legal compliance and represents a core value of our corporate culture. We are committed to identifying and removing accessibility barriers in all aspects of our operations, including employment, the built environment, information and communication technologies, and the procurement of goods and services.

As part of our efforts, we have implemented several initiatives:

• Redesigning our recruitment page to improve the attractiveness of our job postings to underrepresented groups.

• Developing an accommodation decision-making framework to ensure every employee has access to the support they need.

• Establishing a standardized procedure to ensure that all documents are available in accessible formats.

We are also committed to training our staff on accessibility principles and integrating these considerations into our procurement processes. Our teams are encouraged to participate in awareness sessions and collaborate with our accessibility committee to identify areas for improvement.

Transport Yamachiche Inc. is committed to creating an inclusive environment that values diversity and promotes equal opportunity for all. By working together with our employees, partners, and clients, we will continue moving toward a future where accessibility is a priority in all our operations.

Employment

Barrier #1

There is a lack of attractiveness to candidates from underrepresented groups, such as persons with disabilities, women, Indigenous peoples, and newcomers. Qualified candidates do not initially perceive Transport Yamachiche as an inclusive and accessible employer.

Proposed Actions

• Redesign the “Careers” page to include a clear section on accessibility commitments, types of suitable positions (for example: local driving, administration, mechanics), and a statement regarding willingness to provide accommodations in every job posting.

• Diversify job posting distribution channels to reach a broader audience.

• Train hiring managers to improve their accessibility-related skills.

• Organize a short awareness session (2 hours) on accessibility, covering bias awareness, plain language, permissible interview questions, and barrier-free interview practices.

• Review job descriptions using Physical Demands Assessments (PDA) to distinguish essential duties from secondary tasks and specify possible accommodations directly in postings (for example: hydraulic steps, automatic transmission).

Barrier #2

There is only a partial understanding of accommodation options for drivers, particularly regarding truck cabins, material handling, and scheduling, as well as a lack of a structured budget to fund accommodations.

Proposed Actions

• Develop an accommodation decision-making framework based on a three-step model (request – analysis – implementation), inspired by the THRC “Accommodation Tool.”

• Create a joint accessibility committee composed of management members, human resources staff, two drivers (including one with a disability), a mechanic, and an external consultant. The committee’s mandate will be to recommend and test solutions such as suspension seats, lifting systems, and voice controls.

• Allocate an annual accessibility budget inspired by accessibility plans from other fleets, such as RST Transport, targeting a minimum of 2% of direct payroll for the purchase or leasing of assistive equipment.

• Explore funding programs, including the federal Fund for Fleets and Opportunities Fund, for grants related to wages and equipment for workers with disabilities.

Built Environment

Barrier #3 – Limited Mobility in Offices and Yard Areas

The current built environment presents significant accessibility challenges for individuals with reduced mobility. The offices and yard areas do not include adequate features to facilitate movement and access.

Proposed Actions

• Conduct a complete built-environment accessibility audit by September 2025 to identify necessary improvements.

• Add two universal parking spaces with a 1.5-meter access aisle by November 2025 to ensure easier access for individuals with reduced mobility.

• Install tactile warning strips and slip-resistant surfaces to improve safety inside and outside the facilities.

Barrier #4 – Poorly Accessible Safety Signage (Low Vision)

Current safety signage does not meet the needs of individuals with low vision, increasing the risk of accidents and confusion in hazardous areas.

Proposed Actions

• Map all high-risk areas by January 2026 to better target necessary improvements.

• Install tactile pictograms, provide lighting of at least 200 lux, and add tactile indicators on stairs between April and June 2026 to ensure greater accessibility and safety for all users.

Information and Communication Technologies (ICT)

Barrier #5

The company does not yet have a standardized procedure ensuring that documents provided to employees, clients, or partners (employment forms, internal policies, compliance documents, etc.) are available upon request in alternate formats and delivered within the timelines set out in the Accessible Canada Regulations.

Proposed Actions

• Identify critical documents.

• Inventory all HR forms, occupational health and safety documents, policies, and external specifications.

• Conduct a quick barrier analysis: font, contrast, jargon, and structure.

• Implement a “plain language” template.

• Create an internal model targeting a maximum Grade 8 reading level.

• Require the use of this model for all newly produced documents.

• Draft an official alternate-format request procedure.

  • Steps: receive request (email, phone, portal), automatic acknowledgment, conversion, and delivery.

• Assign responsibility to the HR department and integrate the 15/45-day timelines.

Procurement of Goods, Services and Facilities

Barrier #6 – Procurement Procedures and Practices

Current procurement procedures and practices do not include any explicit step to verify that purchased goods, services, or facilities are accessible. At present, suppliers are not required to demonstrate that their products comply with accessibility requirements under the Accessible Canada Act.

Proposed Actions

Procurement Policy Review

• Add a principle clause: “Transport Yamachiche will systematically evaluate the accessibility of any good, service, or facility before completing a purchase.”

• Attach a brief reference guide describing applicable standards such as WCAG 2.2 for digital accessibility, CSA B651 for the built environment, and Accessible Canada Regulations requirements for transportation equipment.

Updating Procurement Documents

• Include a mandatory section titled “Accessibility Requirements” in all future Requests for Proposal (RFP) and Requests for Quotation (RFQ).

• Require each bidder to provide:

  • a declaration of compliance,

  • a list of tests or certifications,

  • a corrective action plan describing how remaining barriers will be removed, if necessary.

Targeted Procurement Staff Training

• Organize a 3-hour workshop led by Public Services and Procurement Canada or a consultant from the “Accessible Procurement Centre of Expertise.”

• Topics: identifying common barriers (signage, digital templates, furniture) and using the “Accessible Procurement” evaluation grid.

Pre-Purchase Validation Process

• Add a key step in the ERP system: the “Reviewed by Accessibility Officer” box must be checked before a purchase order can be generated.

• Implement a micro-workflow allowing proposals to be returned to suppliers if accessibility requirements are not clearly addressed.

Design and Delivery of Programs and Services

Barrier #7

Currently, there is no standardized framework to systematically verify that all programs, processes, and services—whether internal (e.g., training programs, HR procedures) or external (e.g., transportation services, customer support)—consider accessibility requirements from the design phase onward.

Proposed Actions

Map Existing Services

• Create a complete inventory of all programs and services offered by the company, including their key delivery stages.

• Identify points of contact where barriers may occur (documents, counters, registration procedures, training materials, etc.).

Develop an Internal Accessibility Policy

• Draft, before January 31, 2026, a policy formally establishing the principle of “Accessibility by Design.”

• Specify the following: roles (management / supervisors / accessibility committee), reference standards (CSA B651, WCAG 2.2, Accessible Canada Regulations), mandatory review process, and the obligation to consult persons with disabilities.

• Have the policy approved by senior management and publish it on the intranet and public website.

Integrate Accessibility Verification into Project Cycles

• Create an “Accessibility Evaluation Form” to be attached to every new initiative (whether customer services, internal software, or HR procedures).

• Require validation from the Accessibility Committee before implementation.

Train Teams

• Organize, by March 2026, two awareness sessions:

  • Managers and project leaders: inclusive design principles and duty to accommodate.

  • Operational staff: identifying common barriers and accessible service best practices.

Establish an Accessibility Committee

• Composition: one HR representative, one occupational health and safety representative, one IT manager, and one external member from a local disability organization.

• Mandate: evaluate project evaluation forms, recommend improvements, and monitor feedback requests received.

Measure and Report

• Maintain a registry of new initiatives: launch date, validation completed, remaining barriers, and corrective measures applied.

• Publish progress and indicators (number of projects evaluated, compliance rate, positive/negative feedback) in the 2026 Progress Report and annually thereafter.

Transportation

Context

Under the Accessible Transportation for Persons with Disabilities Regulations (ATPDR) and the CAN/CSA B651-18 standard, federally regulated transportation providers must identify and remove barriers affecting vehicle use, boarding, and driving schedules.

Barrier #8 – Driving Schedules at Dawn, Dusk, and Night

Some drivers experience difficulties driving in low-light conditions (night vision issues, fatigue, migraines, etc.). The company currently has no formal scheduling accommodation options.

Proposed Actions

• Create “winter schedules”: before November 2025, establish departure and arrival windows aligned with official dawn and dusk times along serviced corridors.

• Implement team-driving arrangements for long-haul routes: starting January 2026, assign a second driver to trips exceeding 800 km so that the second driver can cover night segments.

• Establish an individual accommodation protocol: include a request form for adapted schedules in the HR manual (inspired by JAN guidelines on low vision and night driving).

• Train dispatchers on flexible assignment practices and two-driver team management.

Consultations

Objective

Establish, before March 1, 2026, a permanent consultation framework that systematically incorporates the experiences of persons with disabilities, including employees, candidates, clients, and community organizations.

Consultation

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Who We Consult

• Employees with visible or invisible disabilities.

• Two local organizations supporting persons with disabilities.

How We Conduct Consultations

• Two internal meetings per year (spring and fall).

• One external meeting per year (workshop or on-site visit).

How Feedback Is Used

• Every idea is recorded in a registry.

• Each suggestion is clearly identified as accepted, in progress, or rejected.

• A short summary of progress is published annually.

Resources

Legislative and Regulatory Texts

• Accessible Canada Act – 1

• Accessible Canada Regulations – 2

• Accessible Transportation for Persons with Disabilities Regulations (ATPDR) – 3

Transportation Regulatory Body

• “Accessible transportation” page of the Canadian Transportation Agency (CTA) – 4

Technical Standards

• CSA B651-18 Standard: Accessible Design for the Built Environment – 5

• WCAG 2.2 – W3C Recommendation – 6

Federal Guides and Templates

• Consultation Guide for Preparing an Accessibility Plan – 7

• Federal Accessibility Plan Template – 8

Sector Resources & Best Practices

• Centre of Expertise – Accessible Procurement & Research – 9

• “Improving accessibility in procurement” page – Public Services and Procurement Canada – 10

• Job Accommodation Network (JAN): “Night Blindness” accommodation guide – [11]

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