Businesses and non-profits with 20 or more employees in Ontario
have until December 31, 2023, to file their Accessibility Compliance Report with the
Ministry for Seniors and Accessibility (Ministry). The purpose of
the report is to confirm that all applicable accessibility
requirements under the Accessibility for Ontarians with
Disabilities Act, 2005 (AODA) have been met.
The AODA requires organizations, with the involvement of persons
with disabilities, to identify and remove barriers to accessibility
for persons with disabilities in the following areas:
- Customer service
- Information and communications
- Transportation
- Design of public spaces
- Employment
The Accessibility Compliance Report is submitted through a
standardized form that asks organizations to answer a series of
"yes or no" questions and certify they have met
applicable obligations. To complete the form, businesses must
include their legal name, business number (BN9 – found on the
federal or provincial tax return), number of employees, and name
and contact information of a senior officer with legal authority to
certify that the report is complete and accurate.
The Ministry conducts audits of obligated organizations each year
for the purposes of verifying compliance with AODA requirements. In
cases where organizations are found to be non-compliant, the
Ministry will offer tools, resources and other supports as
necessary to help the organizations in question understand and meet
their requirements. In cases where non-compliance persists, the
Ministry may enforce the law using the measures outlined in AODA.
Enforcement measures order issuance for compliance, administrative
monetary penalties, prosecution and fines for offences.
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