The Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act, or AODA, aims to identify, remove, and prevent barriers for people with disabilities. The AODA became law on June 13, 2005 and applies to all levels of government, nonprofits, and private sector businesses in Ontario that have one or more employees (full-time, part-time, seasonal, or contract).
The AODA includes requirements that all organizations must meet, with deadlines specific to an organization’s type and size. The AODA is made up of five parts, or Standards, and deadlines for compliance began as of January 1, 2010. Visit our Store to download the free At A Glance: AODA Deadlines (PDF).
The Standards
The AODA is made up of five standards, as well as some general requirements, and they include the:
Customer Service Standard
Information and Communication Standard
Employment Standard
Transportation Standard
Design of Public Spaces Standard
The AODA standards are part of the Integrated Accessibility Standards Regulation (IASR). The IASR includes, in addition to requirements specific to each standard, the following general requirements:
provide training to staff and volunteers
develop an accessibility policy
create a multi-year accessibility plan and update it every five years
consider accessibility in procurement and when designing or purchasing self-service kiosks
The AODA complements, but doesn’t not supercede, the requirements for accessibility and accommodation described under the Ontario Human [...]
