In 2005, the Ontario government passed the Accessibility for
Ontarians with Disabilities
Act ("AODA"). The stated goal was to
remove barriers to accessibility by 2025 by gradually introducing
new obligations. Since 2005, requirements have been introduced in
phase. Over time, obligations have increased. Recently, the
government introduced Regulation 191/11: Integrated Accessibility
Standards, which came into force in July of this year. It
introduces a number of changes that employers need to be aware
of.
The changes apply to each and every organization in the province
providing goods, services or facilities, regardless of the number
of employees. All accessibility standards, including the Accessible
Customer Service Standard, are now part of the new regulation known
as the Integrated Accessibility Standards Regulation. The change
revokes the previous Accessibility Standards for Customer Service
and the Exemption from Reporting Requirements.
