AODA compliance: Benefits of being ahead of the game

As many of you already know, the AODA Customer Service Standard was the first of five accessibility standards to be enacted by the Ontario government in order to increase and promote accessibility in Ontario. 

The Customer Service Standard applies to the provision of goods or services to “customers”, which includes the public or other third parties.

What are the requirements under the Customer Service Standard?

• To create policies, practices and procedures for the provision of goods and services to people with disabilities;
• To know how to communicate with persons with disabilities;
• To allow the use of the use of service animals and support persons on parts of your organization’s premises open to customers;
• To allow use of assistive devices by persons with disabilities;
• To provide notification of temporary disruption in facilities or services;
• To provide a feedback process;
• To train all employees and other third parties that interact with customers on your organization’s behalf.

What is next for AODA?

There are a number of AODA obligations under the Integrated Accessibility Standard that will need to be complied with in the next couple of years. More specifically, these include obligations under the Information and Communication Standard as well as the Employment Standard. Some of these deadlines are rapidly approaching, and will likely require significant modifications to current policies, practices and procedures.

Under the Employment Standard, for instance, organizations may need to make changes to policies and practices throughout the whole lifecycle of employment commencing with the hiring process. The 

Employment Standard includes requirements in the following areas:

• The recruitment process
• Accessible formats and communication supports
• Workplace emergency response information
• Individualized accommodation plans
• The return to work process
• Performance management
• Career development and advancement
• Redeployment

Current policies related to hiring, job posting, accommodation, and performance evaluation will need to be reviewed and modified as necessary and new policies may need to be created in order to be compliant.

Can you share any examples of compliance with the Integrated Accessibility Standard?

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 @ 416-579-1035 or sandra_broekhof@sympatico.ca or visit www.accessibilitycompliance.ca