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Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA) Welcomes You
We hope you find this site a great resource for all things to do with the AODA and that you'll come back often as we continually update the site.
Note: This is NOT a Government run Site!!.
Ontario disabilities act creates compliance confusion
shelley white
Special to Globe and Mail Update
Published Friday, Jan. 06, 2012 6:00AM EST
For Hans Sturzenbecher, catering to people with disabilities just makes good business sense.
His restaurant, Macy’s Diner & Delicatessen in Mississauga, Ont., has been making changes to accommodate people with disabilities for the past eight years, from creating space between tables to make room for wheelchairs and walkers to enlarging the print size on menus.
Meeting the Customer Service Standard (CSS): Restaurant Menus
Jan 1 Deadline is right around the corner, is your Menu Accessible to All?
By Geof Collis
December 8, 2011
All businesses with at least one employee will have to comply with the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA) Customer Service Standard (CSS) taking effect Jan. 1, 2012.
With regards to Restaurants you need to have a policy on allowing people to use their own assistive devices to access your Goods and Services and that includes your menu.
LOCATION OF JANUARY 27, 2012 TORONTO PUBLIC FORUM ON WORLD REPORT ON DISABILITIES IS MOVED TO LET MORE ATTEND THANKS TO LARGE DEMAND
PUBLIC FORUM ALSO TO BE STREAMED LIVE ON THE WEB – EMAIL OR TWEET YOUR QUESTIONS FOR THE SPEAKERS FROM NOW TO THE END OF THE FORUM
January 25, 2012
SUMMARY
There has been so much demand to attend the Friday, January 27, 2012 public forum at the University of Toronto on the Canadian launch of the World Disabilities Report. The organizers have therefore changed the location to accommodate a larger audience. See their announcement below. The event will still be at the same time, starting at noon this Friday.
AODA Alliance Urges Pinto Human Rights Review to Give the Public More Time to Give Input Into Ontario’s Human Rights System
We Ask Human Rights Tribunal, Commission and Legal Support Centre to Disclose More About Their Operations –McGuinty Gvornment Urged to Make Public the Annual Reports of the Human Rights Legal Support Centre
January 23, 2012
SUMMARY
Here is the latest news in our effort to ensure that people with disabilities and others who face discrimination in Ontario can effectively enforce the right to equality that the Ontario Human Rights Code guarantees to them.
Providing Emergency and Public Safety Information for People With Disabilities Guide
Public safety information can help keep people safe when an emergency happens. Ontario’s Accessibility Standard for Information and Communications can help you do that by making your emergency and public safety information accessible to people with disabilities. This guide will help you.
Accessibility Standard for Information and Communications
Redbox Discriminates Against the Blind By Failing to Provide Accessible Self-Service Kiosks
The technology exists to make self-service kiosks accessible to the blind. Accessible ATMs and iPhones make use of tactile controls and/or screen reading software that enables blind people to use these devices.
“A lack of accessibility in newly emerging forms of commerce is a symptom of the overall growing technological divide that blind people experience when companies fail to build in accessible features at the onset,” said Bryan Bashin, Executive Director/CEO of the Lighthouse for the Blind and Visually Impaired.
AODA: Accessible Transportation Compliance Schedule
Author: Suzanne Cohen Share
Posted on Tuesday, January 17th, 2012 at 09:00
As you probably know, the Transportation Standards under the Integrated Accessibility Standards of the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act will come into force over the next five years. The Ministry of Community and Social Services has released the accessible transportation compliance dates, and you can find them all below. Obligated transportation providers can keep this schedule as a quick reminder of present and future compliance deadlines.
ATTEND JANUARY 27 2012 TORONTO PRESENTATION ON THE WORLD BANK’S REPORT ON the Unmet needs of People With Disabilities AROUND THE World
KEYNOTE BY WORLD BANK REP, WITH AN ONTARIO PERSPECTIVE BY AODA ALLIANCE CHAIR
January 16, 2011
SUMMARY
Everyone is invited to attend an important public forum to be held at the University of Toronto on Friday, January 27, 2012 from noon to 2:30, on the World Bank’s recent report on the status of people with disabilities around the world. The World Bank’s editor of the report, Tom Shakespeare, is the keynote presenter. The AODA Alliance is delighted that its chair, David Lepofsky, has been invited by the event’s organizers, to also speak at this public event, giving an Ontario perspective.
Government of Canada Supports Accessibility for Canadians with Disabilities in Ontario
WYOMING, ONTARIO–(Marketwire – Jan. 14, 2012)
A Government of Canada accessibility investment has made it possible for people with disabilities in Wyoming and area to participate in activities at the Lions Club.
Patricia Davidson, Member of Parliament for Sarnia-Lambton, on behalf of the Honourable Diane Finley, Minister of Human Resources and Skills Development, today spoke at an open house to celebrate the completion of the Wyoming Lions Club project.
Sign Up – to Tell the Pinto Human Rights Code Review What You Think of the McGuinty Government’s Privatizing Human Rights Enforcement
And Tell the Pinto Review if You Support Our Recommendations on How to Fix Problems with the Pinto Review’s Consultations
January 9, 2012
A major issue is now becoming a priority for us, as we anticipated – the future of how people who suffer discrimination in Ontario can seek a remedy under the Ontario Human Rights Code.
Ontario Businesses Must Now Comply With Ontario’s Customer Service Accessibility Standard
But One Part of It Creates Barriers and Should be Disregarded
January 6, 2012
Ontario’s Customer Service Accessibility Standard now applies to, and must be complied with by, Ontario’s private sector. Up until now, only public sector organizations had to comply with it.
AODA Alliance’s 2011 Year-End Report – Where We’ve Been and Where We’re Headed
January 4, 2012
1. INTRODUCTION
Let us take the start of this new year to reflect back on what we accomplished in 2011. Let’s also look forward to our major priorities in 2012. To see what we thought one year ago about our priorities for 2011, and how we reflected back on 2010, visit: http://www.aodaalliance.org/strong-effective-aoda/01292011.asp
Visual Fire Alarms Needed
Published December 22, 2011
Re: Home ablaze, they couldn’t scream, Dec. 19
Thanks for reporting on this story about a deaf couple’s experience when their home was gutted by a fire. We are thrilled that all family members are safe.
Helping Businesses Become More Accessible
Laurie Weir
Dec 20, 2011 – 9:52 AM
Roger Bernicky would like more businesses to be accessible for him and his wheelchair. Laurie Weir Roger Bernicky says he used to be “one of them.”
As he sits in the patient lounge at the Great War Memorial Hospital after having his right leg amputated just below the knee, Bernicky says he used to view those in wheelchairs differently.
Tip Sheet: Helping Employees With Disabilities Stay Safe
Posted December 19, 2011
As an employer, you want to keep your employees safe. Ontario’s Accessibility Standard for Employment can help you do that.
Attention AODA Organizations: Actions to Complete by January 1, 2012
Author: Suzanne Cohen Share
Posted on Wednesday, December 14th, 2011 at 09:00
January 1, 2012, is the date to complete all actions required under the Accessibility Standards for Customer Service and emergency preparedness requirements in the Integrated Accessibility Standards. The good news is, if your organization is obligated to report, you do not have to file with the government until December 31, 2012.
