Even though new legislation in the form of the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act, 2005 (AODA) received Royal Assent on June 13, 2005 and is now the law, the provisions of the Ontarians with Disabilities Act, 2001 (ODA) remain in force until the act is repealed.
This means that public sector organizations including Government ministries, municipalities, hospitals, school boards, colleges, universities and public transportation organizations are still legally required to prepare annual accessibility plans and to make these plans available to the public.
The ODA builds on the strong foundation of the Ontario Human Rights Code (the Code) that protects the human rights of all Ontarians.
In preparing annual accessibility plans, organizations must consider the following:
- Accessibility plans must address a broad range of disability issues, taking into account the full definition of disability under the ODA and the Ontario Human Rights Code.
- The plans must examine all aspects of an organization's operations, including its bylaws, practices, facilities, programs and services.
- Organizations must take into consideration their roles as service providers and employers.
- The plans must identify steps to be taken over time to remove identified barriers and prevent any new ones.
- Organizations are accountable to their communities for accessibility improvements. They are required to consult with people with disabilities and to make accessibility plans available to the public to ensure accountability at the local level.
- It is important that organizations consider integrating accessibility planning into their business planning cycles to ensure a thoughtful, effective and efficient process and meaningful outcomes.
Accessibility planning is smart planning. It helps organizations tap into the talents, experience and expertise of all Ontarians and helps prepare for the changing demographics of the marketplace as the population ages.