Employers must meet obligations under the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA) and file a compliance report with the Ontario Government by December 31, 2017.
What is the AODA?
In 2005, the provincial government passed the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act with the goal of making Ontario accessible by 2025. People with disabilities face obstacles that make it difficult, sometimes impossible, to do the things most of us take for granted. Things like going shopping, working, or taking public transit; organizations can remove some of these obstacles by doing things differently.
Ontario Employers must implement Accessible Standards
The purpose of the AODA is to involve Ontario employers in the development and implementation of accessibility standards in their workplaces in key areas that impact daily living. The AODA has 5 components:
- Customer Service
- Communication
- Employment
- Transportation
- Built Environment (public spaces)
Does the AODA apply to all Ontario Employers?
Employers with 1 or more employee must implement AODA standards. Accessible standards, requirements and implementation deadlines vary depending on the organization size and for private, non-profit or public sector organizations.
AODA Compliance Report Due December 2017
All employers with 20 or more employees must file an AODA compliance report by December 31, 2017.
Large Private Sector Organizations (50 or more employees) should have the following policies, programs, practices and training in place by the end of 2017:
- Develop a Customer Service policy, procedures and practices for providing goods and services to persons with disabilities. Customer Service Standards apply to businesses serving the public or business to business.
- Develop an accessibility policy and multi-year plan on how to implement the requirements of the legislation.
- Train all employees on accessible customer service and the requirements of AODA.
- Implement accessibility across all stages of the employment relationship.
- Create accessible public spaces such as waiting areas, service counters, walkways and parking. This only applies to new or major renovations to existing public spaces.
Small Private Sector Organizations (fewer than 50 employees) should have the following policies, programs, practices and training in place by the end of 2017:
- Develop a Customer Service policy, procedures and practices for providing goods and services to persons with disabilities. Customer Service Standards apply to businesses serving the public or business to business.
- Develop accessibility policies.
- Train all employees on accessible customer service and the requirements of AODA.
- Implement accessibility across all stages of the employment relationship.
Where can I learn more about AODA Accessible Standards?
A summary of implementation deadlines for private sector companies is available here:
Managers’ guide to accessibility large organizations
Managers’ guide to accessibility small organizations
Learn how to file an AODA Compliance Report, more about accessibility in Ontario and the AODA.
