Is the AODA standard for employment applicable to volunteers?

Volunteers are crucial to many  not-for-profit and public organizations.  All not-for-profits have volunteers – even if it is just at the Board of Director level.  There is widespread awareness that the training standards for the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA) apply to both volunteers and staff in the organization.  But what about the accessibility standard for employment? Is it applicable to volunteers? 

Employees vs volunteers

The employment standard of the AODA exists to help make hiring and employee support practices more accessible.  It addresses recruitment, assessment, selection, informing employees of support, workplace emergency response information, documented individual accommodation plans, performance management and more.
Volunteers are distinct from employees and are not covered by the Employment Standards Act.  So why should employers treat the AODA employment standard as if it is applicable to volunteers?

Volunteering as pathway to employment for students

Volunteerism is required for high school students who must complete 40 hours of volunteer work before graduation.  Many organizations make their summer hiring decisions from a pool of student volunteers within their organization.  In our current context there is tough competition among students for “premium” volunteer placements that may help them get the experience needed for medical school applications, future jobs and university applications.  A volunteer process that denies similar opportunities to volunteers who need accommodation would likely infringe on the Code.

It is just the right thing to do

As a not-for-profit organization you are in some way meeting a need in your community.  If you are ignoring the issue of accessibility you are not serving your organization or the community you are in.  As an organization you will have to deal with each case of accommodation on an individual basis – ensuring the safety and success of your staff and the cause or people they serve.
As the culture of your organization grows its capacity and flexibility for accommodation to become an organization that says yes; this will strengthen the heart of your organization to be able to accomplish more than you thought possible!

How does your organization incorporate the work of volunteers??

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