Adults in Ontario cannot recall a time when their local shopping
malls did not have parking spots reserved for persons with
disabilities, accessible entrance doors, and closed-caption
television shows. Innovations such as these have improved the
quality of life of the hundreds of thousands of Ontarians with
disabilities over the last 30 years. However, there remain
significant impediments, both visible and invisible, to quality of
life for some Ontarians.
Implementing the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities
Act (AODA) seeks to create widespread change and removes existing
barriers that hinder those with disabilities from fully
participating in society. This legislation is far reaching and
requires that most providers of goods and services in Ontario
develop standards in five areas: Customer Service, Transportation,
Information and Communications, Employment and the Built
Environment. The requirements in each area will be phased in over a
number of years.
