Getting to compliance

Ontario’s Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (the act) came into force in 2005 and sets out a clear goal and timeframe to make Ontario accessible by 2025.  The next few blogs will talk about how the province and your own organization can do to work towards compliance. 

• The government will be following up when organizations do not file reports or comply with the act, which includes:
• Conducting inspections.
• Issuing Notices of Proposed Order (NOPOs) advising why the organization is not in compliance with the law, and what it must do to comply and to avoid a penalty.
• Issuing Director’s Orders stating the organization must comply, including possible financial penalties.
• Court enforcement.
• Prosecution, which could include fines.

Thoughtful incorporation of AODA standards and effective AODA training can be linked to employee engagement. Corporate social responsibility (CSR), including sustainable business practices, is increasingly tied to employee expressions of engagement and alignment with the organization. Studies show that companies with high CSR values also score higher in employee engagement.

The best way to make the link between CSR and the AODA is a thoughtful and specific application of AODA standards and training to your industry.

Taking the time to identify and develop practices unique to your company, clients and processes is a way to show your employees that accessibility for Ontarians with disabilities is part of your organization's sustainable business practice. The more specific you can make your training, and the more directly you can link it to your vision and values as a company, the more value the training will have.

Has your organization been complying with all parts of 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