Message from our CEO
At AXIS, accessibility is fundamental to how we operate and how we serve our colleagues, customers, and partners. We strive to help everyone access the information, tools, and environments they need to contribute fully and succeed.
Our leadership team aims to incorporate accessibility into our day-to-day practices. In recent years, we have strengthened accessibility across our organization by integrating standards into our digital platforms, communications, and workplace design. This commitment has been reinforced through external recognition from the Center for Disability Inclusion and through practical partnerships, including our participation in the Hidden Disabilities Sunflower program, which helps foster greater awareness and understanding across our workplaces.
Accessibility is not a one time effort. It is an ongoing commitment that aligns directly with our focus on operational excellence, innovation, and people. We will continue to invest in inclusive design, technology, and ways of working that remove barriers and support a variety of needs – building a stronger, more inclusive AXIS that is well-positioned for a changing world.
Vince Tizzio President and CEO, AXIS
Introduction
At AXIS, we have built an organization grounded in the strength of our talent. We see inclusion as a strategic imperative that is core to our business and to our culture. Inclusion enriches our perspective—by embracing our diverse backgrounds, we deliver on our aspiration to be bold, take risks, think big, and bring lasting value to our clients and communities. Our values of People, Excellence, Decisiveness, and Stronger Together guide us in creating an inclusive and welcoming culture where every employee feels comfortable and empowered to be themselves; where we bring our whole selves to work; where we have authentic encounters and conversations; and where we all have equitable opportunities to contribute, build, grow, and advance.
About AXIS
AXIS is a global specialty insurer and reinsurer with a presence across key risk markets, combining the sophistication of a top specialty carrier with the agility of a company with entrepreneurial roots. We support customers around the world through tailored products and services, drawing on a diverse, international team of nearly 2,000 employees, speaking 50+ languages and representing 25+ nationalities. Our strength is underpinned by a values driven culture, a strong balance sheet, and excellent financial strength ratings from leading agencies. AXIS is headquartered in Pembroke, Bermuda, and operates through AXIS Insurance and AXIS Re across Bermuda, the United States, Europe, Singapore, and Canada.
Our commitment to accessibility
AXIS is committed to removing and preventing barriers so that employees, candidates, clients, and visitors with disabilities have equitable access to our information, services, and workplaces. This multi year accessibility plan sets out our strategy to meet Ontario’s accessibility standards and to continuously improve the accessibility of our physical, digital, and people practices. In keeping with the Integrated Accessibility Standards Regulation (IASR), we will post this plan on our website, provide it in accessible formats upon request, and review and update it at least once every five years.
How this plan advances our DEI strategy
Accessibility is woven into AXIS’s broader DEI strategy as part of our commitment to advancing disability inclusion and creating an environment where everyone can thrive. We bring this commitment to life by embedding accessibility by design across people processes, communications, facilities projects, and technology decisions; by elevating lived experience through the EMBRACE Employee Resource Group (ERG); and by collaborating with partners such as the Center for Disability Inclusion (CDI) and Project Healthy Minds to promote awareness, reduce stigma, and support wellbeing. With strong accountability mechanisms, transparent reporting, and continuous improvement practices, we ensure our accessibility and DEI efforts are purposeful, sustainable, and aligned with our values of People, Excellence, Decisiveness, and Stronger Together.
Highlights of progress and our path forward
We have strengthened our accessibility foundations by launching an accessible feedback channel on our public website, providing accessible formats and communication supports upon request, and delivering AODA/IASR and Ontario Human Rights Code training to Ontario based employees. We continue to develop our accessible recruitment practices and maintain individualized workplace emergency response plans on a case by case basis. In addition, we have established standardized processes for communicating and managing temporary disruptions to accessible elements, including those in landlord managed spaces. Over the life of this plan, we will continue to build on this progress by enhancing document, media, and web accessibility; further maturing accessible employment practices; and deepening accessibility considerations in facilities design, and technology selections—so that every employee can thrive and contribute their best, and every client and visitor experiences our commitment to dignity, independence, integration, and equal opportunity.
AXIS Specialty Canada Services, ULC strives to meet the needs of its employees and customers with disabilities and is working hard to remove and prevent barriers to accessibility.
AXIS Specialty Canada Services, ULC is committed to fulfilling our requirements under the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act, 2005. This accessibility plan outlines the steps we are taking to meet those requirements and to improve opportunities for people with disabilities.
Our plan shows how we will play our role in making Ontario an accessible province for all Ontarians.
The plan is reviewed and updated at least once every 5 years.
We train every person as soon as practicable after being hired and provide training in respect of any changes to the policies
We maintain records of the training provided including the dates on which the training was provided and the number of individuals to whom it was provided.
Section 1. Past Achievements to Remove and Prevent Barriers
Customer Service
Actions and list initiatives from past years:
- AXIS maintains accessible processes for receiving and responding to feedback.
- Employees and visitors can submit accessibility related feedback (e.g., disruptions, barriers, information access issues) through the How We Work mailbox
- Upon request, AXIS will provide or arrange accessible formats and communication supports for the feedback process and will notify individuals of their availability.
- Accessible formats and communication supports for information and communications will be provided:
- In a timely manner
- At no more than the regular cost charged to others
- In a format that meets the requester’s accessibility needs
- AXIS will consult with the requester to determine the most appropriate accessible format or communication support.
- Requests for accessible formats can be initiated through the feedback process posted on our public company website, or they mail email our How We Work mailbox.
Information and Communications
Actions and list initiatives from past years:
Temporary Disruptions to Accessible Elements
- Temporary disruptions may occur due to maintenance, repairs, renovations, or unexpected issues.
- AXIS follows standardized procedures to reduce impact and ensure clear communication to employees and visitors.
- Public notices include:
- Reason for the disruption
- Expected duration
- Available alternatives
- Notices may be shared through onsite postings and electronic communications.
Identification and Assessment
Actions and list initiatives from past years:
When an accessible element becomes unavailable, AXIS will:
- Assess the scope, severity, and expected duration of the disruption.
- Identify affected areas, services, and users, and determine if temporary alternatives are possible.
- Communicate the disruption through:
- Emails and verbal updates from Facilities (and the landlord, if applicable)
- Signage posted in affected areas
- Monitor progress until the issue is resolved.
- Send a close out communication once normal access is restored.
Landlord Managed/Common Area Disruptions
Actions and list initiatives from past years:
- For disruptions in common building areas managed by the landlord, AXIS expects the landlord to provide appropriate notices.
- AXIS will relay or supplement these notices internally as needed.
Roles and Support
Actions and list initiatives from past years:
- Facilities
- Conducts regular inspections.
- Uses a work order system to address issues.
- Partners with HR on individualized accommodation requests.
- Technology Service Center
- Provides options for office equipment or assistive technology to support accessibility.
- Budgeting Process
- Accessibility needs are reviewed and considered during the annual budgeting cycle.
- These activities also support ongoing maintenance of accessible elements.
Employment
Actions and list initiatives from past years:
- Consulted with job applicants requesting accommodation to ensure suitable adjustments during the recruitment process.
- Informed successful candidates about AXIS’ accommodation processes at the offer stage.
- Communicated accessibilityrelated employment policies to all employees and provided accessible formats/communication supports upon request.
- Developed individualized workplace emergency response plans for employees with disabilities and updated them as needed.
- Established a formal, confidential accommodation plan process through a third party disability vendor.
- Implemented a documented returntowork process for employees returning from disabilityrelated leaves.
- Considered accessibility needs and accommodation plans in performance management, career development, advancement, and redeployment decisions.
- Delivered AODA and Human Rights Code training to all employees, with refreshers when standards or policies change.
Training
Actions and list initiatives from past years:
Employees based in Ontario have participated in AODA and Ontario Human Rights training online. New employees are prompted to complete AODA and Ontario Human Rights training during their onboarding at AXIS.
2. Strategies and Actions
Customer Service
AXIS Specialty Canada Services, ULC is committed to providing accessible customer service to people with disabilities. This means that we will provide goods, services and facilities to people with disabilities with the same high quality and timeliness as others.
Initiatives and timeframe:
- Provide training on AODA and the Ontario Human Rights Code to all employees, volunteers, policy developers, and third parties providing goods/services on our behalf; keep training records and refresh when policies change.
- Timeframe: 2026–2028
Information and Communications
AXIS Specialty Canada Services, ULC is committed to making our information and communications accessible to people with disabilities.
Initiatives and timeframe:
- Ensure feedback channels (e.g., “How We Work” mailbox, public website forms) are accessible and publicize the availability of accessible formats and communication supports.
- Provide/arrange accessible formats and communication supports upon request, in a timely manner and at no additional cost; consult with the requester to determine suitability; publicize availability.
- Make any public emergency procedure or public safety information accessible upon request (e.g., accessible PDFs, captions, alt text).
- Timeframe: 2026–2028
Employment
AXIS Specialty Canada Services, ULC is committed to fair and accessible employment practices.
Initiatives and timeframe:
- State availability of accommodation on job postings; ensure accessible assessments/interviews; notify successful candidates of AXIS’s accommodation policies.
- Communicate accessibility and accommodation policies on hire and upon changes; provide job information and workplace communications in accessible formats/with communication supports on request.
- Provide individualized workplace emergency response information for employees who need it; share with designated helpers (with consent); review upon relocation, plan changes, or needs change.
- Timeframe: 2026–2028
Training
AXIS Specialty Canada Services, ULC is committed to providing training in the requirements of Ontario’s accessibility laws and the Ontario Human Rights Code as it applies to people with disabilities.
Initiatives and timeframe:
- All new employees will complete training on providing accessible customer service as soon as practicable and no later than 30 days from start, and before performing customer facing duties.
- New employees will receive training on the Ontario Human Rights Code as it relates to people with disabilities, integrated into onboarding.
- AXIS maintains training records (dates and number trained) for compliance monitoring and quality improvement; completion rates are reviewed quarterly and overdue training is escalated.
For more information on this accessibility plan, please contact:
Sarah Erikson [email protected] 902-377-1904
This accessibility plan was last updated in March 2026 and will be reviewed again in March 2031.
