Accessibility Standards Under the AODA

The Province of Ontario is working to make the province accessible to people with disabilities by 2025.  The Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act, 2005 provides a framework for businesses, the public and non-profit sectors to develop mandatory accessibility standards.

These accessibility standards will be the rules that businesses and organizations in Ontario must follow to identify, remove and prevent barriers to accessibility.

For more information on the standards, click below:

• The Customer Service Standard
• The Integrated Regulation
  • Information and Communications Standard
  • Employment Standard
  • Transportation Standard
• Built Environment Standard

Return to the main Accessibility page here.

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The Customer Service Standard

The customer service standard is the first standard to become law.

Effective January 1, 2012, non-profit housing providers in Ontario will be required to comply with the standard.

The customer service standard requires that:

• policies, practices and procedures be set up on providing goods and services to people with disabilities
• reasonable efforts are made to ensure that policies, practices and procedures are consistent with the key principles of independence, dignity, integration and equality of opportunity
• there is a policy dealing with the use of assisted devices
• communications with a person with a disability are provided in a manner that takes into account his or her disability

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Other Standards under the AODA

Integrated Accessibility Regulation

The proposed   Integrated Accessibility Regulation combines the standards for employment, transportation, and information and communications into one regulation. Requirements would apply to all businesses and organizations but implementation and reporting timelines will depend on their size and the nature of their work.

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Information and Communications Standard

This standard will require that:

• Information and communications to people with disabilities be provided in a way that takes into account their disability
• New websites be accessible

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Employment Standard

This standard will require that:

• Employees receive accessibility awareness training
• Persons with disabilities be accommodated in the recruitment process
• Individual accommodation plans for employees be provided, upon request
• Individual workplace emergency information for employees with disabilities be provided
• Existing performance management, career development and redeployment processes accommodate the needs of employees with disabilities
• Procedures be developed for return-to-work employees who are absent due to a non-workplace illness or injury and who use individualized accommodation plans

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Transportation Standard

This standard focuses on making transportation services, including buses, trains, subways, streetcars and ferries accessible. Some of the provisions will require:

• On-board announcements of stops and connections
• Criteria and processes to determine eligibility for specialized transit services
• Provision of grab bars and other features, including space for people with mobility disabilities

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Proposed Built Environment Standard

The Built Environment Standards Development Committee has submitted its final proposed standard to the Minister of Community and Social Services.

It is the final standard to be submitted under the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act.

The Minister has not yet indicated when a final built environment standard will be issued. It is expected that the standard will be implemented through the Ontario Building Code. This standard deals with barriers that prevent access to buildings, facilities, parks and other aspects of the built environment.

ONPHA staff are monitoring developments concerning this standard.

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ONPHA's Member Support Team can help answer your accessibility related questions. Call 1-800-297-6660 or email us at member.support@onpha.org.