AODA Website Compliance

One important area to consider is website compliance under the AODA. That’s because there are accessibility standards under the law that directly apply to web and digital accessibility. One of these is the Information and Communications Standards (Part II of the AODA).

Under Section 14, “Accessible Websites and Web Content,” organizations covered by this law are required to ensure that their websites are fully accessible (we discuss the actual requirements in the next section, below).

Other parts of these and other standards require information in other electronic or digital formats to be accessible. If, for example, a transportation agency circulates a PDF brochure of its routes and schedules, or a municipality posts a video with public safety information, these materials must be made accessible for people with disabilities upon request and at no extra cost.

There are financial penalties for failing to comply with the AODA. These can be steep, depending on the type of organization that’s breaking the law.

These are good reminders.  How far into compliance has your organization been?

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

Review of AODA

What does AODA compliance mean? Being in compliance means adhering to all aspects of the AODA, a law that’s been in place in Ontario since 2005. Some components of the law apply to web and digital accessibility.

AODA is an acronym for the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act.¹ This law, which came into effect in 2005, applies to both the public and private sectors in the Canadian province of Ontario.

The AODA compliance requires individuals and organizations in various industries and capacities to follow accessibility standards in five areas of doing business or interacting with the public.

These five categories of standards are: information and communications; customer service; transportation; employment, and design of public spaces. The standards were developed by committees with representation from different sectors, including people from the disability community.

Written into the AODA is a time frame within which government, public-sector groups and organizations of different sizes must comply with the accessibility standards. The Ontario government’s goal is for the province to become completely accessible by 2025.

It’s important to note that there’s already human rights legislation in place in Ontario that prohibits discrimination against people with disabilities. The AODA doesn’t replace the Ontario Human Rights Code. However, it does set out clear processes for covered entities to follow as they ensure their practices and policies are AODA compliant.

There are good business reasons for organizations to serve the people of this province in a fully accessible manner. There are 1.8 million people with disabilities living in Ontario. Many more come to visit, as the province is home to North America’s fourth-largest city, Toronto, a cultural and business centre; and to Canada’s capital, Ottawa, another top tourist destination. It’s estimated that a more accessible province will increase the gross domestic product by as much as $600 a year per capita.²

The AODA compliance dates and time frames depend on the individual accessibility standards.

These are good reminders.  How far into compliance has your organization been?

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

New AODA Requirements Effective January 1, 2017

As of January 1, 2017, several new requirements have taken effect under the disability law regime in Ontario.  The Integrated Accessibility Standards (IAS) made under the Accessibility of Ontarians with a Disability Act (AODA) sets out a comprehensive framework for business in Ontario to ensure the accessibility for employees and customers.

Since 2012, employers have had to establish policies and practices to accommodate employees with a disability.  As of this month, even the smallest employers will have to implement an additional round of the complex requirements set out in the IAS.

In addition to all AODA requirements already in place, effective January 1, 2017, Ontario workplaces must comply as follows:

·       1-19 employees:

·       Make public information accessible when asked; and

·       Make public employment practices accessible, including how you hire, retain and provide career development opportunities to employees.  This would include adding a notification in job advertisements and on job postings.

·       20-49 employees:

·       The same as above, plus file an Accessibility Compliance Report by December 31, 2017.

·       50+ employees:

·       The above have been in place since at least January 1, 2016.  An additional requirement for large employers is to make new or redeveloped public spaces accessible, including parking lots, public outdoor paths of travel, service counters, fixed waiting lines and waiting areas with fixed seating; and

·       File an Accessibility Compliance Report by December 31, 2017.

The IAS requirements are specific and detailed.  The Ontario government provides useful summaries and tools on its Accessibility website, and we are here to help should your business have any questions about the layers of detail and best practices for implementation of the new round of compliance requirements.

Is your organization aware of the these changes to 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