The Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act ("AODA") is being phased in over a number of years with the aim of achieving accessibility for persons with disabilities in the whole of the Province of Ontario by 2025. All organizations in both the private and non-profit sectors that provide goods and services in Ontario, with at least one employee, are required to comply with the provisions of the Accessible Customer Service Standard.
The definition of customers is quite broad, and many organizations that do not think they provide goods and for services directly to a customer may still need to comply with the AODA. For example, the definition of customer is broad enough to include the organization's vendors, suppliers and other contacts, even if those contacts are not an end user of the organization's products or services.
The following new AODA requirements are now in force:
- all employees and others providing services on behalf of a large organization (meaning 50 or more employees) must receive training on the Human Rights Code as it pertains to persons with disabilities and the AODA standards;
- all organizations must ensure that their feedback processes can be administered in accessible formats and with the communications supports, upon request;
- small organizations (being organizations of 1 to 49 employees) must ensure they have developed and implemented an accessibility policy describing how the organization will achieve accessibility in compliance with the AODA regulations;
- small organizations must have regard to accessibility issues when designing, procuring or acquiring self-service kiosks.
In addition to the above, amendments to the Ontario Building Code will substantially enhance accessibility in buildings. Any organization constructing a building or renovating existing space will need to comply with these updated standards.
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.
