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