Public Service Commission

Public Service Commission Policies

Sign Language

Purpose

The Manitoba government is committed to providing programs and services that are accessible and meet the needs of all Manitobans in ways that maintain dignity and independence. This policy provides guidance and outlines service expectations to employees in ensuring equitable access to information and communication for Manitobans who communicate using sign language.

Policy Statement

The Manitoba government Sign Language policy seeks to remove and prevent communication barriers in government communications by setting clear direction for departments and public servants for the delivery of and access to information in sign language, for both public and internal audiences.

Objectives

This policy aims to create equitable and barrier-free access to information and communications for individuals who communicate using sign language by ensuring employees:

Are aware of sign language as an element of providing accessible information and communication.
Follow the requirement to include an “access offer” - see Definitions on all government print and digital documents.
Understand their responsibilities and the processes to be followed.
Demonstrate compliance with accessibility legislation and regulated standards.

Principles

This policy builds upon the existing requirements of Manitoba’s Human Rights Code, and is in accordance with The Accessibility for Manitobans Act (AMA), The Accessible Information and Communication Standard Regulation, The Accessible Customer Service Standard Regulation, and with the expected behaviours outlined in the Manitoba Government Code of Conduct, derived from the values for an ethical and effective public service in The Public Service Act.

The following principles apply:

Access: Persons should have barrier-free access to places, events and other functions that are generally available in the community.

Equality: Persons should have barrier-free access to those things that will give them equality of opportunity and outcome.

Universal Design: Access should be provided in a manner that does not establish or perpetuate differences based on a person’s disability.

Systemic Responsibility: The responsibility to prevent and remove barriers rests with the person or organization that is establishing or perpetuating the barrier.

Application

This policy applies to all members of the core public service of the Manitoba government, as defined in The Public Service Act.

Responsibilities

Employees:

Adhere to legislated requirements, government policies, guidelines and processes for providing accessible information and communication, including informing the public that information can be requested through a communication support or accessible format, and having an “access offer” on all government print and digital documents.
Follow the Manitoba Government Public Communications Sign Language Guidelines (link to internal resource) to formalize and fund service delivery within timelines provided for public engagement and communication.
Consult with the department’s CED Engagement Manager to incorporate sign language interpreting services and other accessibility features as part of public engagements and communication.
Follow department processes when responding to requests for information in sign language and requests for communication support using sign language interpreting services, including providing an explanation for situations when sign language cannot be provided (S. 6(4) Accessible Information and Communication Standard Regulation) and identifying alternatives for the removal of communication barriers.
Connect with the department lead such as the Department Accessibility Coordinator (and/or supervisor) for guidance, if needed.

Deputy Minister:

Ensure employee compliance with accessibility legislation, regulations, standards, workforce management policies, obligations, and training.
Ensure policy expectations are communicated to employees.
Establish and communicate department processes and practices to support policy implementation, including processes for responding to internal sign language requests and/or sign language requests from the public.
Appoint department leads (i.e., Diversity and Inclusion Champion, Department Accessibility Coordinator (DAC)) to help advance equity, diversity, inclusion, and accessibility in the department.
Involve the DAC to assess and identify reasonable solutions to concerns related to sign language and other accommodation requests.
Ensure costs associated with accessible communication are covered by the department as a necessary expense.
Ensure consultation occurs with CED for public engagements to identify opportunities to make engagements and public communication more accessible.

Accessibility Champion (for the Manitoba government)

Oversee implementation and compliance of The Accessibility for Manitobans Act and regulated accessibility standards for the Manitoba government.
Ensure that the policy expectations are communicated to deputy ministers and employees.
Ensure the Manitoba government maintains a Diversity and Inclusion network by confirming departments appoint department leads (i.e., Diversity and Inclusion Champion and Department Accessibility Coordinator).

Communications and Engagement Division:

Coordinate and manage external, public facing communications and engagements for government departments.
In compliance with legislated accessibility requirements, standards, regulations and policies, establish and maintain a process for sign language interpreting service requests for public communications and engagements.
Establish external communication and public engagement practices and processes for the Manitoba government and advise departments on opportunities to improve accessibility.
Contract with vendor(s) providing independent interpreting services.
Ensure that third-party agencies and vendor contracts are available that meet the requirements under the accessibility legislation and regulated standards.

Public Service Commission:

Advise on the interpretation, application, and administration of this policy.
Establish and support policy and guidelines for reasonable accommodations as related to employee accessibility needs.
Lead the Manitoba government’s Diversity and Inclusion network by providing support and resources to department leads (i.e., Diversity and Inclusion Champions and Department Accessibility Coordinators).

Definitions

Accessibility Champion: Deputy Minister or designate who has been appointed to oversee implementation and compliance of The Accessibility for Manitobans Act and regulated accessibility standards for the Manitoba government.

Access Offer: a statement that lets Manitobans know that the Manitoba government will take active steps to welcome and accommodate persons with disabilities. This applies to situations when Manitobans with disabilities are seeking information, services and support, as well as participating in government engagements and providing feedback.

Department: means a department as defined in The Executive Government Organization Act.

Department Accessibility Coordinator: means the employee designated as a key contact in the department to support government’s compliance with The Accessibility for Manitobans Act (AMA) and implementation of the Manitoba Government Accessibility Plan (MGAP). They act as a resource for managers and employees regarding any department specific initiatives to improve accessibility and comply with MGAP.

Deputy Minister: means the deputy minister of a department appointed under subsection 33(2) of The Public Service Act.

Diversity and Inclusion Champion: means the senior leader or executive who promotes diversity and inclusion within their departments, addresses matters relating to accessibility, such as reporting on compliance with the AMA and implementation of MGAP. They support communication of accessible events, resources and information, and champion efforts that foster inclusion and full participation of people with disabilities.

Employee: as defined in The Public Service Act, means an individual employed in Manitoba’s core public service and, unless otherwise indicated, includes a manager or executive.

Represented Employee: means a core public service employee who is represented by a bargaining agent as defined in The Workforce Relations Act.

Senior Leadership: means managers and executives, responsible for the department's workforce management including overseeing the attendance, conduct and performance of the department's employees (S. 27(1) The Public Service Act).

Sign Language: In alignment with The Accessible Canada Act, American Sign Language (ASL), Langue des Signes Québécoise (LSQ) and Indigenous Sign Languages are recognized as the primary languages of Deaf people in Canada.

Sign Language Interpreting Services: means services provided by skilled professionals who use a range of visual and tactile communications in a variety of settings to convey meaning between hearing and people who are Deaf, Deaf Blind and Hard of Hearing.

Compliance/Non-compliance

Compliance with this policy aligns with monitoring and enforcement strategies of the Manitoba government Accessibility Compliance Secretariat pertaining to Manitoba’s accessibility legislation and regulated standards.

A member of the public may file a concern through the Accessible Government Services Home page.

Concerns or complaints by either a member of the public or an employee (represented and non-represented) may also be filed with The Accessibility Compliance Secretariat, Manitoba Human Rights Commission and/or the grievance procedure of their collective agreement.

Policy Review and Revision Schedule

A review will be conducted on the administration and operation of this policy, including any related procedural documents and forms, in accordance with a policy review schedule established by the Public Service Commission.

Policy Inquiries

For further information or questions about this policy, please contact:

Policy Unit, Strategic and Corporate Services
Public Service Commission
PSCSIB@gov.mb.ca
204-945-2332
1-800-282-8069 (ext. 2332)
TTY/TDD: 204-945-1437

Effective date: January 22, 2025
Previous revision date(s): January 22, 2025
Original date: January 22, 2025

This information is available in alternate formats on request.

To make a request, please contact accessibility@gov.mb.ca or 204-945-3744 (1-866-626-4862), or visit the Accessibility Home page.

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