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the law, the planning requirements of the Ontarians with Disabilities Act, 2001 (ODA) remain in force until the act is repealed.
Ontario’s colleges and universities, hospitals and school boards are required to consult with people with disabilities when preparing their annual plans.
In preparing annual accessibility plans, colleges and universities, hospitals and school boards must consider the following:
- The 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 the 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.
- 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.
- Colleges and universities, hospitals and schools boards are accountable to their communities and, as such, must make their accessibility plans available to the public.