Vancity’s commitment to accessible and inclusive communities for persons with disabilities

As a values-based financial co-operative, Vancity is focused on improving the financial well-being of all its members and building healthy communities. The credit union believes its workforce must mirror the diversity found within its communities so it can better serve members. As part of a commitment to diversity, Vancity provides an accessible, inclusive business environment for members and employees with disabilities, including those who experience mobility, low-visual and auditory challenges, medical disabilities, mental health and neurodivergent disabilities. Vancity is committed to continuing to learn how to better support and serve individuals with disabilities, and it continues to adapt and improve its branches, products and services, and workplaces.

Accessibility features of Vancity’s online resources and branches

• Accessible parking spaces and ramps at doorways at our community branches and easy access to public transit.
• All member areas in branches provide sit-down and wheelchair-accessible wickets, as well as ATMs with tactile keypads and guided-voice functionality at walk-up ATMs.
• Most branches and offices feature accessible signage, as well as contrasting colours and transitional areas in branch design for people who are visually impaired.
• More than 180 power-assisted door openers are found in branches and offices.
• Strobe-light fire alarms are installed at recently renovated and new branches for people who are hearing-impaired.
• Senior specialists in our Member Service Centre are trained to provide TTY (text telephone) banking services to members with hearing impairments.
• Audio infrared and induction hearing loops are featured at sit-down wickets in branches, as well as in meeting and training rooms; portable devices are also available.
• Over 200 washroom, shower, and change facilities have been identified as “inclusive” facilities throughout our branches and offices so that inclusive facilities are available for people of all gender identities.
• Vancity’s websites are designed to be accessible with the use of screen-reading devices such as JAWS (Job Access with Speech). Other features include screen-reading software and adaptable features that enhance accessibility and the experience for all users.
• New software to be used by members or staff must adhere to Vancity’s accessibility guides, including WCAG 2.0 compliance, at a minimum.
• Work is underway to bring our desktop and mobile applications up to WCAG 2.0 accessibility standards.

Tailored products, services and advice for persons with disabilities

Vancity provides support for our members with disabilities through outreach, advocacy, financial education, and more, including:

• Registered Disability Savings Plan and Equal Futures RDSP program partnership – Easy, efficient and free services including eligibility assessment and qualification filings for RDSPs, tax credit and benefits review, and RDSP account opening support through a partnership with Ability Tax and Trust Advisors, providers of the Equal Futures RDSP program.
• Options for managed accounts.

Workplace initiatives

• Web-based disability resource centre for employees.
• A dedicated Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Reconciliation Team and a Wellness and Disability Consultant are available to support employees and leaders with concerns such as accommodation in the workplace, leaves management, and mental health.
• Vancity employee diversity demographics data help the credit union build stronger programs to support diversity and enable representative hiring.
• Support for job applicants with a disability.
• Job carving, or the practice of creating a job tailored towards an employee's skill set, is used to support the recruitment of people who identify as neurodiverse.
• Staff participation in six Employee Resource Groups (ERGs) helps to identify barriers and make recommendations to support employees. The focus of the ERGs includes 2SLGBTQIA+, Indigenous, mental health, persons with disabilities, racial equity, and women’s equity.
• Ongoing dialogue sessions with employees help Vancity to better understand disabilities and learn how we can support members and employees with disabilities.

Latest update: January 2023