Ontario’s Accessibility Legislation
Ontario became the first province in Canada to legislate mandatory accessibility standards, when AODA (The Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act), became law on June 13, 2005. The act is intended, in key areas of daily living, to identify, remove, and prevent barriers for people with disabilities.
The Five AODA Accessibility Standards
1) Ontario Regulation 429/07
Accessibility Standards for Customer Service addresses business policy, practices, and procedures and stipulates employee training needed to provide better customer service to people with disabilities. It is not about making structural changes; it focuses on attitudes and systems which create barriers to accessibility.
To download your copy of this standard, visit www.accesson.ca
2) Ontario Regulation 191/11
This regulation takes into account three Standards simultaneously and became a regulation in July 2011:
2) Accessible Information and Communications standards: removing barriers in access to information, including information being provided in person, through print, telephone, websites, and other means.
3) Employment Accessibility standards: paid employment practices relating to employee-employer relationships, recruitment, hiring, retention policies and practices.
4) Accessible Transportation standards focus on aspects of daily life such as going to work, school or shopping. These standards address aspects of accessible public transportation including buses, trains, and taxis.
To download your copy of this standard, visit www.accesson.ca
5) Accessible Built Environment standards While the full standard is still pending legislation, the Design of Public Spaces Standard has been added to the Integrated Accessibility Standards Regulation and is now in effect.
ABES will address access to and within buildings and outdoor spaces. These standards are expected to be harmonized with the Ontario Building Code, and will cover issues such as counter height, aisle and door width, parking, and way-finding signage.
To download your copy of the Design of Public Spaces Standard , visit www.accesson.ca
If you would like to speak with someone to better understand your organization’s responsibilities under the AODA, please contact us by phone or email for a complimentary consultation.
