How can assistive technology help employers and other organizations?

Studies have shown that employers often do not hire applicants with disabilities or retain employees with disabilities, because they do not know or understand how the individual can perform the essential functions of the job with the use of an assistive device.  Nevertheless, assistive technology can play a critical role in complying with reasonable/individualized accommodations. Providing a reasonable accommodation to an employee with a disability can include the acquisition or modification of equipment or devices.

For the purpose of the AODA, the Customer Service Standard requires that

·      all providers of goods or services develop a policy on allowing people to use their own personal assistive devices to access the goods and services provided and on any situations where such use may not be permitted. The policy should also address any measures the organization offers to enable people with disabilities to access its goods and use its services. This may include assistive devices, services or methods offered such as alternative document formats, or assistance by a staff person.

·      Alternative formats, addressed under the Customer Service, Information and Communication Standards of the AODA, allow users to communicate and access information and library and educational resources. People interact, learn and communicate in diverse ways.

·      Learning opportunities are increased when flexible ways of engaging with learning materials are provided. Considering how people communicate is important for knowledge to be exchanged. Alternative formats take into account these diverse ways of exchanging information.

·      The Information and Communication Standard requires that educational institutions and their employees know how to produce accessible or conversion-ready versions of textbooks and printed material and be knowledgeable at interacting and communicating with people with disabilities who may use alternative formats and devices.

·      The Accessibility Standard for Employment will help Ontario businesses and organizations make accessibility a regular part of finding, hiring and supporting employees with disabilities. This includes knowing what processes will be modified to individually accommodate applicants and employees with disabilities

So it is important to try to understand assistive technology and the services that rehabilitation engineers can provide to meet the needs of your customers, applicants and employees with a disability.
Industry Canada’s comprehensive list of assistive device companies can be searched by province and disability, as well as alphabetically. It includes links to accommodation consultants, accessible web consultants and multiple format companies, and provides a short and long description of each.

Let me know where you stand in terms of assistive technology.  Will you be ready for the compliance deadline? 

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