Ontario’s next three accessibility standards will remove barriers in three areas:

• transportation — making it easier for people with disabilities to get to where they need to go
• employment — expanding Ontario’s labour pool and welcoming people with disabilities into more workplaces, and
• information and communications — giving people with disabilities access to more of the information we all depend on.

These standards are all part of the new Integrated Accessibility Standards Regulation. The regulation sets out the requirements for each of the three standards, as well as general requirements that apply to all, such as:

• developing accessibility policies and plans
• training employees and volunteers, and
• considering accessibility when purchasing goods or services.

The regulation applies to public, private, and not-for-profit businesses and organizations that:

• provide goods, services or facilities either directly to the public or to other businesses or organizations, and
• have at least one employee in Ontario.

Dates to Consider

The requirements will be phased in over time between 2011 and 2021. This will give organizations the time they need to build accessibility into their regular business processes.

Questions?

Have questions about the Integrated Accessibility Standards Regulation? We’re here to help! Please email your questions to accessibility@ontario.ca.

Work is continuing on the fifth and final standard, the Built Environment Standard.