Accessible workplaces

Ontario’s Accessible Employment Standard requires you to make your employment practices accessible to meet the needs of employees and job applicants with disabilities. Learn how to meet the standard.

Businesses and non-profits with:
1-49 employees must complete 4 requirements by January 1, 2017
50+ employees must have completed 6 requirements by January 1, 2016

If you have 1-49 employees, you must complete 4 requirements of the Accessible Employment Standard in your workplace:

• hiring
• workplace information
• talent and performance management
• communicate accessibility policies

If you have 50 or more employees, you must complete 6 requirements of the Accessible Employment Standard in your workplace:

• hiring
• workplace information
• talent and performance management
• communicate accessibility policies
• accommodation plans
• return to work process

What are some policies in your organization that complies with 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 @ 416-579-1035 orsandra_broekhof@sympatico.ca

Accessibility Matters

Accessibility offers new market opportunities for businesses. For example, greater accessibility can bring up to $1.6 billion in new spending for our tourism sector and up to $9.6 billion for our retail sector.

The Government of Ontario enacted the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act in 2005. This act lays the framework for the development of province-wide mandatory standards on accessibility in five key areas of daily life:

·       Customer Service

·       Employment

·       Information & Communication

·       Transportation

·       Design of Public Spaces

The government is actively promoting the values of accessibility to its extensive membership and the marketing community at large. Through a variety of communications channels and events, ADO (Accessibility Directorate of Ontario)  engages and educates members of the marketing community on the AODA regulations and the benefits of incorporating accessibility into marketing strategies. The priorities are: (1) to promote understanding and compliance with the 'accessible websites' and the 'filing of compliance reports' requirements, and (2) to communicate the value of accessibility and help businesses realize the economic advantages that accessibility can offer. 

What attitudes have changed to help include people with disabilities be more inclusive?

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

Marketing with accessibility in mind: a guide to inclusive design

Digital accessibility is everyone’s responsibility. Even if it is not your immediate responsibility to ensure that your organization’s website and web content are in an accessible format, you should still have a general understanding of what digital accessibility means. For example, do you know how colour use of a website can affect the experience of someone with a disability?

You should also be aware of any accessibility regulations that apply to your organization. In Ontario, the Information and Communications Standard under the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act was introduced to help Ontario businesses and organizations make their information accessible for people with disabilities. In terms of digital accessibility, Ontario requires organizations with 50 or more employees to make new websites and web content launched accessible according to the World Wide Web Consortium’s Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) 2.0. 

What about social media? If you do any marketing on platforms such as Facebook and LinkedIn, do you have to ensure that the content is in an accessible format? The short answer: no, you do not. The law only applies to content that you control.

Accessibility is not just about complying with the law. It’s also about giving consumers with disabilities the opportunity to use or buy your services. Did you know that people with disabilities in Canada have an estimated spending power of $25 billion per yea?

If you are not including consumers with disabilities as part of your target audience, you may be losing out on a lot of business.

What digital barriers is your organization removing to help 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 @ 416-579-1035 or sandra_broekhof@sympatico.ca