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

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Accommodation plans

This requirement does not apply to private-sector and non-profit organizations with fewer than 50 employees.

You must develop and write a process for creating accommodation plans for employees with disabilities. This process must be documented and should include:

• how an employee participates in the development of their individual accommodation plan
• how an employee is assessed on an individual basis
• how a unionized employee can ask for a representative from their bargaining agent to participate in the development of the accommodation plan
• how a non-unionized employee can ask for a representative from the workplace to participate in the development of the accommodation plan
• how you, as an employer, can request assistance from an outside expert, at your expense
• the steps you will take to protect the privacy of the employee’s personal information
• how and when you will provide the employee with their personalized accommodation plan
• the schedule for when and how the plan will be reviewed and updated
• how you will tell an employee that their individual accommodation plan has not been accepted
• how you will provide the plan in an accessible format

The plan must be documented and include:

• how you will provide workplace information in an accessible format, if requested
• how you will provide accessible emergency information, if needed
• any other accommodation that is to be provided

You and the employee with a disability will determine and implement appropriate accommodation measures. However, the final decision rests with you.

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