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ARTICLE · 09 MARCH 2011

Accessibility For Ontarians With Disabilities Act – Preparing For January 1, 2012

Osler, Hoskin & Harcourt LLP
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As of January 1, 2012, all employers in Ontario who provide goods and services must be compliant with the Accessibility Standards for Customer Service (the Customer Service Standards) issued under the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (the AODA).

CanadaEmployment and HR
Osler, Hoskin & Harcourt LLP
Osler, Hoskin & Harcourt LLP
Dominic Mochrie
Dominic Mochrie
Andrew Wong
Andrew Wong
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As of January 1, 2012, all employers in Ontario who provide goods and services must be compliant with the Accessibility Standards for Customer Service (the Customer Service Standards) issued under the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (the AODA).

Employers already have a legislated obligation to take reasonable steps to accommodate disabled employees under the Human Rights Code. The purpose of the Customer Service Standards is to impose a new duty to accommodate customers with disabilities.

What's Here: The Accessibility Standards for Customer Service

While the Customer Service Standards have applied to designated public sector organizations since January 1, 2010, they will apply to all providers of goods or services in Ontario effective January 1, 2012 (the Customer Service Standards do not apply to federally regulated employers). Employers covered by the Customer Service Standards are required to:

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