- The Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act,
2005 (the "AODA") and its associated regulations set
out specific standards that employers and providers of goods and
services must comply with, and the dates by which compliance must
be achieved.
Private sector not-for-profit organizations in Ontario need to be aware of the following upcoming December 31, 2014 and January 1, 2015 deadlines:
- By December 31, 2014, obligated private and
not-for-profit organizations must file a 2014 accessibility
compliance report. Organizations can access step-by-step
instructions for filing their reports on the Ministry of Economic
Development, Employment & Infrastructure's website: http://www.mcss.gov.on.ca/en/mcss/programs/accessibility/customerservice/report_online.aspx
- By January 1, 2015:
-
- Small organizations (with at least one but
fewer than 50 employees in Ontario) must establish accessibility
policies. Educational or training institutions must provide
resources or materials and student records and information in
accessible formats if notification of need is given.
Educators must also be provided with accessibility awareness
training.
- Large organizations (with 50 or more employees
in Ontario) must ensure that training is provided on the
requirements of the accessibility standards and the Human
Rights Code as it pertains to persons with disabilities to all
employees, volunteers, persons who develop policies and all persons
who provide goods, services or facilities on behalf of the
organization. Processes for receiving and responding to
feedback must be accessible to persons with disabilities by
providing or arranging for the provision of accessible formats and
communications supports, upon request.
- Every obligated organization that is a producer of educational or training textbooks shall upon request make accessible or conversion ready textbooks available to educational or training institutions. Obligated libraries of educational or training institutions shall provide, procure or acquire an accessible or conversion ready format of print materials for a person with a disability, upon request.
- Small organizations (with at least one but
fewer than 50 employees in Ontario) must establish accessibility
policies. Educational or training institutions must provide
resources or materials and student records and information in
accessible formats if notification of need is given.
Educators must also be provided with accessibility awareness
training.
Many of the AODA's deadlines have already past, including the January 1, 2014 deadlines applicable to large organizations for establishing accessibility policies and making any new websites conform with specific standards on an ongoing basis.
The content of this article is intended to provide a general guide to the subject matter. Specialist advice should be sought about your specific circumstances.