The Accessibility of Ontarians with Disabilities Act, 2005 (AODA), is Provincial Legislation with the purpose of developing, implementing and enforcing accessibility standards in order to achieve accessibility for persons with disabilities with respect to goods, services, facilities, accommodation, employment, buildings, structures and premises on or before January 1, 2025.
One of the specific standards that has been developed, and made law, is the Accessible Standards for Customer Service. This standard came into force on January 1, 2008. This regulation establishes accessibility standards specific to customer service for public sector organizations and other persons or organizations that provide goods and services to members of the public or other third parties.
The purpose of the accessibility standards aims to achieve full accessibility throughout the province by the year 2025. This legislation requires both public and private sectors that provide goods and services to people in Ontario will be required to adhere to Accessibility Standards in five (5) key areas which will be reviewed at least every five years:
• Integration
• Independence
• Equal Opportunity
• Dignity
The five standards are being established in stages by regulation, developed by provincial committees comprised of people with disabilities, representatives of the private, public and no-for-profit sectors and the Government of Ontario.
Currently the Customer Service Standards is the only AODA standard to become law. The other four standards are in various stages of development.
The Town of Wasaga Beach is committed to working towards being compliant with all of the standards under the AODA as they are introduced.
If you are a private business, non-profit organization, or any other service provider with at least one employee in Ontario, you must comply by January 1, 2012.
To find out more on the requirements of businesses under the legislation and how to comply, please:
1. Visit: www.accessON.ca/compliance
2. Call 1-866-515-2025 TTY: (416) 325-3408 Toll Free: 1-800-268-7095
3. Fax: (416) 325-3407