1.    Purpose

The purpose of this policy is to set processes in place in an effort for Verdtek, Inc. to develop, implement, and maintain Information and Communications Technology (ICT) that is accessible to all users, including individuals with disabilities. This policy outlines our commitment to integrating accessibility into our business processes and product development lifecycle.

2.    Scope

This policy applies to all ICT products and services developed, procured, or used by Verdtek, Inc., including websites, software applications, and electronic documents, as they relate to products and services delivered to its customers.

3.    Policy Statement

Verdtek, Inc. is committed to ensuring that our ICT offerings are accessible to all users. We recognize the importance of accessibility in creating inclusive digital environments and are dedicated to meeting or exceeding the accessibility standards set forth by relevant laws and regulations.

4.    Policy Overview

Governance and Responsibility

• Governance System: Verdtek, Inc. will develop and maintain an organization-wide governance system to support ICT accessibility.
• Designated Individuals: Key individuals will be assigned responsibilities for implementing and maintaining the ICT accessibility policy.
• Reporting Mechanisms: Tools and procedures will be implemented to track ICT accessibility issues and maintain records.

Policy Implementation and Maintenance

• Policy Development: Verdtek, Inc. will develop, implement, and maintain an ICT accessibility policy.
• Implementation Plans: Plans will be created to ensure the policy is effectively implemented and maintained.
• Metrics and Tracking: Metrics will be established to gauge compliance with the policy, and progress will be tracked and reported.

Integration into Business Processes

• Process Evaluation: Key business processes will be evaluated for accessibility gaps.
• Process Modification: Business processes will be modified to integrate accessibility criteria.
• Full Integration: Verdtek, Inc. will strive to fully integrate accessibility criteria into all key business processes to improve the accessibility of our offerings.

Addressing Inaccessible ICT

• Compliance Plans: Plans will be developed to bring inaccessible ICT into compliance, including setting dates for compliance.
• Alternate Access: Alternate means of access will be provided until ICT is accessible.
• Corrective Actions: A corrective actions process will be implemented to handle accessibility technical issues and defects.
• Record Keeping: Records of identified inaccessible ICT, corrective actions, and tracking will be maintained.

Skills and Training

• Defining Skills: The skills and knowledge needs for ICT accessibility will be defined.
• Gap Analysis: A gap analysis will be performed to identify existing resources and address gaps.
• Training Plan: A training plan will be developed for in-house resources, and external resources will be identified for training and augmentation.

Public Availability of Information

• Policy Documentation: The ICT accessibility policy and related documentation will be made publicly available.
• Support Program: An accessibility support program will be implemented to address questions related to our accessibility documentation.

Continuous Improvement

Verdtek, Inc. is committed to continuous improvement in ICT accessibility. We will regularly review and update our policies, processes, and practices to ensure ongoing compliance and enhancement of accessibility.

1.    Governance and Responsibility

Governance System: Verdtek, Inc. is committed to developing and maintaining an organization-wide governance system to support ICT accessibility. This system will ensure that all Information and Communication Technology (ICT) within the organization is accessible to individuals with disabilities, in compliance with relevant standards and regulations.

Designated Individuals: To effectively implement and maintain the ICT accessibility policy, Verdtek, Inc. will assign key individuals with specific responsibilities:

• ICT Accessibility Program Manager: This individual will oversee the overall ICT accessibility program and will manage the day-to-day operations of the ICT accessibility program, develop and update policies, and provide guidance and training to staff.
• Department Heads: Each department head will be responsible for ensuring their team’s compliance with ICT accessibility standards and integrating accessibility considerations into their workflows.

Reporting Mechanisms: Verdtek, Inc. will implement robust tools and procedures to track ICT accessibility issues and maintain comprehensive records. These mechanisms will include:

• Accessibility Audits: Regular audits of ICT systems to identify and address accessibility gaps.
• Issue Tracking System: A centralized system for reporting, tracking, and resolving accessibility issues.
• Compliance Reports: Periodic reports to senior management on the status of ICT accessibility compliance, including identified issues and corrective actions taken.

2.    Policy Implementation and Maintenance

Policy Development: Verdtek, Inc. will develop, implement, and maintain a comprehensive ICT accessibility policy. This policy will outline the organization’s commitment to ensuring that all ICT systems and services are accessible to individuals with disabilities, in accordance with applicable laws and standards.

Implementation Plans: To ensure the effective implementation and maintenance of the ICT accessibility policy, Verdtek, Inc. will create detailed implementation plans. These plans will include:

• Action Steps: Specific actions required to achieve compliance with the ICT accessibility policy.
• Timelines: Clear timelines for the completion of each action step.
• Responsibilities: Designation of responsible individuals or teams for each action step.

Metrics and Tracking: Verdtek, Inc. will establish metrics to gauge compliance with the ICT accessibility policy. These metrics will be used to track progress and ensure continuous improvement. Key components will include:

• Compliance Metrics: Quantitative measures to assess adherence to accessibility standards.
• Progress Tracking: Regular monitoring and reporting of progress towards achieving accessibility goals.
• Reporting: Periodic reports to senior management on compliance status, including any identified issues and corrective actions taken.

3.    Integration into Business Processes

Process Evaluation: Verdtek, Inc. will conduct thorough evaluations of key business processes to identify any accessibility gaps. This evaluation will involve:

• Accessibility Audits: Regular audits to assess the accessibility of current business processes.
• Stakeholder Feedback: Gathering input from individuals with disabilities and other stakeholders to identify areas for improvement.

Process Modification: Based on the findings from the evaluations, Verdtek, Inc. will modify business processes to integrate accessibility criteria. This will include:

• Redesigning Workflows: Adjusting workflows to ensure they accommodate accessibility requirements.
• Updating Documentation: Revising process documentation to include accessibility guidelines and best practices.
• Training and Support: Providing training and resources to employees to help them understand and implement the modified processes.

Full Integration: Verdtek, Inc. will strive to fully integrate accessibility criteria into all key business processes. This commitment will ensure that our offerings are accessible to all users. Key actions will include:

• Continuous Improvement: Regularly reviewing and updating processes to maintain high accessibility standards.
• Cross-Department Collaboration: Ensuring that all departments work together to embed accessibility into their operations.
• Monitoring and Reporting: Tracking the effectiveness of integrated processes and reporting progress to senior management.

4.    Addressing Inaccessible ICT

Compliance Plans: Verdtek, Inc. will develop comprehensive plans to bring inaccessible ICT into compliance with accessibility standards. These plans will include:

• Assessment and Identification: Identifying ICT systems and components that do not meet accessibility criteria.
• Compliance Deadlines: Setting specific dates for achieving compliance to ensure timely improvements.
• Resource Allocation: Allocating necessary resources to support compliance efforts.

Alternate Access: Until ICT systems are fully accessible, Verdtek, Inc. will do its best to provide alternate means of access to ensure that individuals with disabilities can still use our services. This could involve:

• Temporary Solutions: Implementing temporary accessibility solutions to bridge the gap.
• Support Services: Offering dedicated support to assist users in accessing ICT through alternate means.

Corrective Actions: A robust corrective actions process will be implemented to address accessibility technical issues and defects. This process will include:

• Issue Reporting: Establishing a system for reporting accessibility issues.
• Resolution Protocols: Developing protocols for timely resolution of reported issues.
• Continuous Monitoring: Regularly monitoring ICT systems to identify and rectify new accessibility challenges.

Record Keeping: Verdtek, Inc. will maintain detailed records of identified inaccessible ICT, corrective actions taken, and tracking progress. This will include:

• Documentation: Keeping comprehensive documentation of all identified issues and actions taken.
• Tracking Systems: Using tracking systems to monitor the status of corrective actions.
• Reporting: Providing regular reports to senior management on the status of inaccessible ICT and progress towards compliance.

5.    Skills and Training

Defining Skills: Verdtek, Inc. will define the specific skills and knowledge required for ICT accessibility. This will include:

• Accessibility Standards: Understanding of relevant accessibility standards and regulations.
• Technical Expertise: Proficiency in accessible design and development practices.
• User Experience: Knowledge of how accessibility impacts user experience for individuals with disabilities.

Gap Analysis: A gap analysis will be performed to identify existing resources and address any gaps in skills and knowledge. This process will involve:

• Resource Inventory: Assessing current skills and resources within the organization.
• Needs Assessment: Identifying areas where additional skills or knowledge are required.
• Action Plan: Developing a plan to address identified gaps through training and resource augmentation.

Training Plan: Verdtek, Inc. will develop a comprehensive training plan for in-house resources and identify external resources for training and augmentation. This plan will include:

• In-House Training: Providing regular training sessions for employees on ICT accessibility standards and best practices.
• External Training: Identifying and partnering with external experts to provide specialized training.
• Continuous Learning: Encouraging ongoing education and professional development in the field of ICT accessibility.

6.    Public Availability of Information

Policy Documentation: Verdtek, Inc. will ensure that the ICT accessibility policy and related documentation are made publicly available. This will include:

• Website Publication: Posting the ICT accessibility policy on the company’s official website for easy access by all stakeholders.
• Accessible Formats: Providing the documentation in various accessible formats to accommodate different needs, such as screen reader-friendly versions, large print, and braille.

Support Program: An accessibility support program will be implemented to address questions related to our accessibility documentation. This program will include:

• Contact Information: Providing clear contact information for users to reach out for additional support or clarification.