Accessibility Benefits Everyone

Businesses with one or more employees need to be compliant with Ontario’s accessibility laws. Additionally, a critical deadline is approaching for businesses with 20 or more employees.

If a business has 20 or more employees, it is legally required to file an Accessibility Compliance Report by December 31, 2017.

As of January 1, 2017, large businesses (50+ employees) had to comply with the Design of Public Spaces (DOPS) Standard requirements. Small businesses (1-49 employees) had requirements to meet for accessible employment practices and publicly available information. By January 1, 2018, small businesses must make new or redeveloped public spaces accessible.

There is a common myth around accessibility and the AODA that needs to be dispelled.

Myth: Accessibility means everyone has to renovate their building

This is untrue. Under the AODA, the DOPS Standard does not impact the physical construction of your building. The construction of buildings is governed by the Ontario Building Code.

The DOPS Standard requires organizations to incorporate accessibility when building new public spaces, and/or redeveloping existing public spaces. Public spaces within this standard include:

• Recreational trails and beach access routes
• Outdoor public use eating areas
• Outdoor play spaces
• Public outdoor paths of travel
• Parking lots
• Service counters
• Fixed waiting lines

 

Organizations are not required to alter their public spaces if they have no plans to do so.

There are also many free online resources and tools available for businesses. For example, the Global Alliance on Accessible Technology and Environments created The Illustrated Technical Guide to the Accessibility Standard for the Design of Public Spaces. This free guide covers the technical requirements under the standard and includes technical drawings and specifications. It also highlights better practice considerations and appropriate solutions for developing and constructing accessible public spaces.

The Accessibility Directorate of Ontario also offers free and interactive webinars as a way to learn more about your accessibility requirements. Whether you have 1 employee or 50, these webinars provide an opportunity to ask questions and open the dialogue about accessibility. You can register for an upcoming webinar at ontario.ca/accessibility. Click on "Register for free sessions."

Where to start – Ontario’s accessibility laws: How to file a compliance report:

If your business has 20 or more employees you are legally required to file a 2017 Accessibility Compliance Report by December 31, 2017.

Report your accessibility compliance using our new and improved form in three simple steps: download, complete and submit.

The accessible form includes links to resources and features to help organizations understand and report on their compliance requirements. You can find this form at www.ontario.ca/AccessibilityReport.

The Accessibility Directorate of Ontario is available to help. For a complete list of your requirements, tools, resources and templates, visit ontario.ca/accessibility or connect by phone or email.