Accessibility Laws Take Effect January 1, October 2015

Private sector compliance deadlines under the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act are fast-approaching. For large organizations (50 or more employees), the deadline for compliance is January 1, 2016. For small organizations (fewer than 50 employees), the deadline is January 1, 2017.

These obligations cover the entire lifespan of the employment relationship:

1. Recruitment

Employers must notify their employees and the public about the availability of disability accommodations during its recruitment process. Also, they must notify job applicants throughout the interview and selection process that accommodation for materials or processes used are available upon request. If an applicant requests an accommodation, the employer must arrange a suitable one with the applicant in a manner that considers the applicant's accessibility needs. When offering employment, every employer must notify the successful applicant of its policies for