The Integrated Accessibility Standard

Requirement:

3. (1) Every obligated organization shall develop, implement and maintain policies governing how the organization achieves or will achieve accessibility through meeting its requirements referred to in this Regulation.

(2) Obligated organizations, other than small organizations, shall include a statement of organizational commitment to meet the accessibility needs of persons with disabilities in a timely manner in their policies.

What does compliance look like for this requirement??

This requirement expects the development of an Accessibility Policy. This policy indicates how your company will achieve accessibility.  Each organization must examine all company policies and procedures to examine how barriers for people with disabilities will be removed.  The policy must speak to all the requirements in the Integrated Accessibility Standard (remember to include Information and Communications, Employment, Transportation and Customer Service).  

All public sector organizations must prepare this document for the public.  This means that the documents must be made accessible.  It is a good idea to ensure your company has accessible formats of the Accessibility Policy available. 

What are you doing to ensure compliance with this individual requirement?

If you are interested in learning more about Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA) or how to make accessibility a natural part of your business through the application of Corporate Social Responsibility, please contact Sandra Broekhof @ 416-503-1035 or sandra_broekhof@sympatico.ca or visit www.accessibilitycompliance.ca

Accessibility and the Integrated Accessibility Standard


Requirement:   

The Government of Ontario, Legislative Assembly, designated public sector organizations and large organizations shall,

(a) establish, implement, maintain and document a multi-year accessibility plan, which outlines the organization’s strategy to prevent and remove barriers and meet its requirements under this Regulation;

(b) post the accessibility plan on their website, if any, and provide the plan in an accessible format upon request; and

(c) review and update the accessibility plan at least once every five years.

What does compliance look like for this requirement??

This requirement requires the development of a Multi-Year Accessibility Plan.  This plan will outline how your company is going to prevent and remove barriers (both visible and invisible). This plan should cover all principles of the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA) including independence, dignity, integration and equality of opportunity. 

This plan needs to put in a place the public can get access to it --- for example the company website. 

The company also link the policy to other policies on Accessibility (including Customer Service, Information and Communication, and Employment).  This would ensure that accessibility is a part of your everyday business.

What are you doing to ensure compliance with this individual requirement?

If you are interested in learning more about Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA) or how to make accessibility a natural part of your business through the application of Corporate Social Responsibility, please contact Sandra Broekhof @ 416-503-1035 or sandra_broekhof@sympatico.ca or visit www.accessibilitycompliance.ca

Principles of the Accessibility for Ontarians for Disabilities Act

The Standards of the AODA and the Accessibility for Ontarians for Disabilities Act talk about principles of Accessibilities.  These principles are important for people with disabilities as they help achieve accessibility.  These principles as they move to practices that help with full inclusion.  These principles include dignity, independence, integration and equal opportunity.  We must start to discuss the meaning and practice of each principle to help form the practices of a barrier free Ontario. Organizations must create policies, practices and procedures that are guided by the principles. 

What does the principle of equal opportunity mean?

In general, equal opportunity means that people with disabilities have an opportunity to equally participate or access goods or services.  This means that they have the same chances, options, benefits and results as others.  People with disabilities should not have to make any more significantly effort to access a good or service.  It should not be an inconvenience.  This helps maintain that equal opportunity have the same chances, options, benefits and results as others.  Sometimes, equal opportunity can be best reached by taking steps to ensure that individuals need are taken into account when planning the goods or services. 

The staff needs to assist people with disabilities to understand the variety of products available, especially if the customer cannot access the goods or services.  The customers need to be listened to ensure that each good and service is granted. 

Can you share any examples of how a good or service is designed to respect the principle of equal opportunity for people with disabilities?

If you are interested in learning more about Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA) or how to make accessibility a natural part of your business through the application of Corporate Social Responsibility, please contact Sandra Broekhof @ 416-503-1035 or sandra_broekhof@sympatico.ca or visit www.accessibilitycompliance.ca