By June 30, 2021, all workplaces in Ontario with more than 20 workers (including volunteers) will need to file a compliance report that confirms your organization’s compliance with all of the Accessibility Standards in the AODA that apply to your business size and type.
The Provincial Government enacted the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act, or AODA, in 2005 which lays the framework for the development of province-wide mandatory accessibility standards in all areas of daily life.
Accessibility standards are the rules that businesses and organizations in Ontario have to follow to identify, remove and prevent barriers to accessibility and apply to five important areas.
The Customer Service Standard has a number of requirements relating to providing service to customers in accessible formats and accepting feedback. The Integrated Accessibility Standard Regulation (IASR) combines the Employment, Information and Communications, Built Environment (includes Design of Public Spaces)and Transportation Standards and also contains a General Requirements section.
If your organization has more than 20 workers (including volunteers), you must:
-Ensure your organization has up to date policies and programs for compliance with the AODA Standards that outlines how you will provide goods or services to people with disabilities.
-Ensure that your employees receive training on all of the AODA Standards at least every 2 years, or whenever there is a change to your workplace or the standards.
-Provide to all workers, upon hire, the following policies, in written format: Individual Accommodation Plans for Emergencies Recruitment, Performance Management Processes and all policies related to Accommodation in the Workplace.
For Organizations with more than 50 workers the following policies must also be made available to the public on request, in a format that will meet their needs:
-Accessibility Policy
-Multi-Year Accessibility Plan
-Customer Service Policy
-Feedback
If you would like more information on what is required for your business, to comply with the AODA, please visit our “Courses” Page and register for the AODA seminar!
