The Government of Ontario has retained a third party consulting firm to conduct compliance activities under the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act, 2005 (the "AODA"). After the Accessibility Directorate for Ontario identifies an organization for review, the file is sent to the consulting firm for follow-up. The consulting firm typically reaches out to the employer directly and requests the provision of documentation confirming compliance with the AODA by a specified date. If the documentation is not provided or if the documentation provided is not satisfactory, a compliance plan is developed and the employer is given a deadline by which to comply. Failure to comply with a compliance plan can result in enforcement action, including, but not limited to, orders to comply and/or penalties.
We have assisted a number of clients with their compliance plans over the course of the last few months and we expect that these file reviews will continue. If your organization is contacted by the Accessibility Directorate or a reviewer, please do not hesitate to contact us for assistance.
The content of this article is intended to provide a general guide to the subject matter. Specialist advice should be sought about your specific circumstances.
