Why should you comply with the Integrated Accessibility Standard?

The AODA states some strict guidelines for penalties if you do not comply with the any parts of the Integrated Accessibility Standard.  The maximum penalties under the AODA include:

• A person and unincorporated organizations that are guilty of a major offence under this Act can be fined up to $50,000 dollars for each day the violation continues
• A corporation that is guilty can be fined up to $100,000 per day
• Directors and officers of a corporation with fiduciary responsibility who are guilty are liable to a fine of up to $50,000 a day

These penalties and fines will depend on the severity and history of the contravention. The director  of the Accessibility Directorate of Ontario will determine the severity of the contravention by ranking the contravention as minor, moderate or major.

• A contravention of an administrative requirement is minor
• A contravention of a requirement for organizational preparedness is moderate
• A contravention is major where it involves a priority requirement that includes, but is not limited to, a contravention that may pose a health or safety risk to persons with disabilities

A reporting cycle is a 12-month period. The current two reporting cycles period discussed above begins on the first day the person or organization must file the accessibility report and ends on the last day before the next report must be filed. If a person or organization filed an accessibility report before July 1, 2011, the two reporting cycles period is calculated from the first day that the person or organization was required to file an accessibility report.

Persons and organizations that are facing a director’s order will receive notice and will have an opportunity to make written submissions explaining the non-compliance. The person or organization must submit a response within 30 days after the order was made.

Take the time to share some of the things you have done to comply with the Integrated Accessibility Standard of the AODA.

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 

What can YOU do to comply with the Integrated Accessibility Standard?

In the past few weeks I have been speaking about what companies can do.  I am now going to talk about what you can do. 

The possibilities are endless.  Basically, I believe that if you know better than you can do better. 

l  Customers

Build Awareness

Start a Conversation

l  Employees

Get Trained ~~~ All of the standards involve training to ensure a change in attitude for all Ontarians.  The one standard that will have a direct effect on the workforce is the Employment Standard.  This standard will change the workplace to make accommodations more flexible and change the structure of the workplace

A major aspect of the AODA is the publication of Accessibility Standards.  All of the standards involve training to ensure a change in attitude for all Ontarians.  The one standard that will have a direct effect on the workforce is the Employment Standard.  This standard will change the workplace to make accommodations more flexible and change the structure of the workplace

l  All Ontarians

One of the key messages is to listen to the people with disabilities.  Effective listening is key to providing help and support

 Personal and effective rehabilitation programs need to include the voice of people with disabilities.  Collaboration is important in the social model of disability.  The use of collaboration links services after diagnosis. F.P. used constant collaboration in getting and maintaining any service.

Take the time to share some of the things you have done to comply with the Integrated Accessibility Standard of the AODA.

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 

What do companies have to do to comply with the Integrated Accessibility Standard?

*      Public and Private Sector – large and small organizations

All companies should to provide leadership, guidance and support to all parts of the company to ensure compliance with the Accessibility Standards for Customer Service Regulation by January 2012.  The development and implementation of the Accessibility Leadership which can develop a  Compliance Strategy.  The establishment of an Accessibility Leadership Committee is best practice.  This committee would guide the development of a multi-year plan as well as annual revisions and updates to ensure that it meets the requirements of the AODA and the needs of customers

*      Make accessibility a natural part of your business

The requirement to establish accessibility policies is best met by a consistent approach, so that the company’s messages and intention to provide high quality, accessible customer service is consistently shared with and applied to the all customers.

*      Leverage Accessibility with other related Issues (e.g., Corporate Social Responsibility)

Continuous consultation with key stakeholders is important for success.  A key partnership  would form a positive relationship with the Accessibility Directorate of Ontario.  It is the commitment of the Directorate to aid in the compliance of all companies across Ontario

*      Create Policy (An accessible Customer Service Policy and a Multi Year Accessibility Plan)

Accessibility planning draws on previous best practices to ensure that new accessibility standards and best practices are implemented consistently, effectively and efficiently across the organization. The strategy will inspire managers and employees to consider accessibility in everything they do. It will also help the company become a leader in accessibility and create a more a diverse and inclusive workforce.

What else can your business to do  to ensure compliance with the Integrated Accessibility Standard  of the AODA?

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 

Integrated Accessibility Standard

*      Released June 3, 2011

*      On June 3, 2011, the Ontario government released the final Integrated Accessibility Standards regulation (the “Final Regulation”) under the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act, 2005 (the “AODA” or the “Act”). The Final Regulation combines accessibility standards in three areas – information and communication, employment, and transportation – and comes into force July 1, 2011.

*      Combines

*      Information and Communications

*      Employment

*      Transportation

*       

*      Aligning with the Human Rights Code

*      The development of the Final Regulation represents a significant shift in human rights and accessibility law affecting nearly all organizations in Ontario with respect to their human resources practices and in the way they do business.

*      The most noteworthy change is the new requirement that organizations provide training on the Human Rights Code as it pertains to persons with disabilities

*       The Final Regulation makes it clear that its requirements do not replace, nor are they a substitute for, the requirements established under the Human Rights Code (the “Code”), nor will the standards limit any rights under other pieces of legislation.

*      Training Requirements

*      The training “shall be appropriate to the duties” of these individuals. And training in the Human Rights Code as it pertains to disability and accessibility.

What has your business done to ensure compliance with the Integrated Accessibility Standard  of the AODA?

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