The Accessibility for Ontarians With Disabilities Act (AODA) is not about making buildings accessible: it's about how people with disabilities access your services. An initiative of the Ministry of Community and Social Services, the Act includes five accessibility standards that are being phased in, beginning in 2012.
The first is the Customer Service Standard. Beginning January 1, 2012, employers with fewer than 20 employees were required to create a plan for providing service to customers with disabilities, and to train their staff who serve customers (including those who serve customers over the telephone). One example would be a guideline for employees to read aloud printed signs and other material for customers with a visual impairment. Employers with 20 or more employees were to file a report, by December 31, 2012, confirming that they had met the requirements for the Customer Service Standard.
Second is the Accessibility Standard for Employment. This required employers to provide individualized workplace emergency response information, when necessary, by January 1, 2012. Beginning in 2016 and 2017, private and not-for-profit employers will be required to implement the next phase of this standard: to let job applicants know that hiring processes will be modified to meet their requirements, and build the accessibility needs of their employees into their Human Resources practices. Larger organizations will be required to develop a written process for developing and documenting individual accommodation plans for employees with disabilities.
The third standard is the Accessibility Standard for Information and Communications. This required making emergency procedures or public safety information accessible to people with disabilities, on request, by January 1, 2012. Beginning in 2013, private and non-profit organizations will also be required to provide accessible formats for communications and feedback processes. Employers with 50 or more employees are also required to make their websites and web content accessible according to World Wide Web Consortium’s Web Content Accessibility Guidelines.
Fourth, the Accessibility Standard for Transportation applies to companies providing transportation to the public.
Accessibility Standards for the Built Environment to remove barriers in public spaces and buildings.
The Ministry provides detailed information and tools to assist employers on its website: http://www.mcss.gov.on.ca/en/mcss/programs/accessibility/index.aspx
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