Let's Review: AODA Public Feedback Now Open

AODA legislation (Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act) aims to make the province of Ontario fully accessible for people with disabilities by 2025. Since the AODA became law in 2005, Ontario has established accessibility standards for customer service, information and communications, employment, transportation, and the design of public spaces.

There are currently two separate reviews of Ontario's accessibility laws underway:

1. Review of the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act

​Dean Moran of the University of Toronto Faculty of Law has been appointed to conduct this second independent review of Ontario's accessibility legislation. Her review seeks to examine Ontario's progress towards achieving the goals for accessibility set out in the AODA and its standards. Throughout this review, Moran will meet with representatives of the many stakeholder groups affected by the AODA, including individuals with disabilities and representatives from the obligated sectors under the legislation (Source: AODA Review).

Public consultations will be held between March 18 and April 22, 2014 both in person and online. Individual comments or written submissions are also being accepted until June 1, 2014. Click here for more information.

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2. Review of the Accessible Customer Service Standard

The Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA) requires the review of each accessibility standard five years after it becomes law. This is done in order to determine whether the standard is working as intended and to allow for adjustments to be made.

The first accessibility standard to be made into regulation under the AODA was the Customer Service Standard. Upon review, the Standards Development Committee developed initial proposed changes and is now seeking public input prior to finalizing its recommendations to the government. That's where you come in.

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The following components of the Customer Service Standard are involved in these proposed amendments:

• Class structure of organizations based on number of employees
• Policies, practices, and procedures
• Service animals
• Support persons
• Training
• Feedback processes
• Notice of availability and format of documents

Please see the Ministry website for a full breakdown of these proposed amendments: 
www.mcss.gov.on.ca/en/mcss/programs/accessibility/customerService/public_review_proposed_changes

Public feedback on the proposed revised Customer Service Standard will be accepted from March 3 to April 16, 2014 and can be provided online at ontario.ca/AccessON. 

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Need help with compliance? Integrated Standards DIY Package

Clear Path Employer Services has recently introduced an AODA Integrated Standards Do-It-Yourself Package. The DIY package contains all the tools needed to become compliant - all wrapped into one simple-to-use package. Here's a look at some of the items in the package:

• A spreadsheet outlining all requirements and compliance dates.
• Clear Path’s easy-to-use Workplace Accessibility Tool
• Templates for Multi-Year Accessibility Plans, Job Applications, FAF requests, Accommodation Plans, and RTW Plans.
• A customizable policy statement of your company’s commitment to make accessibility a part of your employment, information and communication, and transportation initiatives.
• PowerPoint presentation to train your supervisors and managers on AODA that you can customize to include specific issues faced by your organization.
• Feedback Process Samples that you can customize to fit your company’s process for providing and obtaining feedback.
• Up to 1 hour of telephone or e-mail support from a Clear Path Consultant to review your materials and answer your questions. If you wish, this time can be allocated to having Clear Path provide AODA training to your employees.

Check out our webpage to learn more about the Integrated Standards DIY package or to place an order: www.clearpathemployer.com/aoda-diy-package

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