What is a proposed accessibility standard?
Under the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act, 2005, we are developing accessibility standards to break down barriers in important areas of everyday life. Accessibility standards are the rules that businesses and organizations across Ontario will have to follow. Through the act and accessibility standards, our goal is to make the province accessible by 2025.
How did this standard get created?
This final proposed accessible employment standard was created by a standards development committee from the disability, public sector and business communities.
Standards development committees:
- develop proposed accessibility standards
- submit an initial proposed standard for public review
- revise the proposed standard to incorporate public input
- submit a final proposed standard to the government for consideration as law.
In February 2009, the first draft of the committee’s proposed employment standard was released for public review. The committee revised the standard to incorporate public input and submitted this final proposed standard for the government to consider.
What is the goal of the final proposed employment standard?
The goal of this proposed standard is to provide recommendations to government on how to tackle barriers in the workplace for people with disabilities. The proposed employment accessibility standard complements the Ontario Human Rights Code.
What requirements are proposed in the standard?
The committee proposes that businesses and organizations increase accessibility for employees with disabilities in the workplace by following requirements, including:
- developing accessible employment policies
- providing information about a job, such as applications, in accessible formats
- giving disability awareness training to all employees
- preparing accommodation plans to help employees perform their job.
Is this accessible employment standard now law?
No. The standards development committee submitted this proposed accessible employment standard for the government to consider. The government will decide what will become law and when.
Who would have to comply with the committee’s proposed accessible employment standard if it were to become law?
If passed as law, Ontario’s businesses and organizations in the public, private and non-profit sectors with at least one employee would have to comply with the standard.
When would the committee’s proposed standard come into effect?
Standards development committees are required to submit their proposed standard to government for consideration. The government will decide what will become law and when.
Can I submit my feedback about the committee’s proposed standard?
This proposed standard already went through the mandatory public review period when it was released for public review in February 2009. Therefore, comments are not required.
If you have questions or comments we move forward with our plans to make Ontario accessible by 2025, please contact us:
Mail: Accessibility Directorate of Ontario
Outreach and Compliance Branch
Ministry of Community and Social Services
777 Bay Street, Suite 601
Toronto ON M7A 2J4
E-mail: accessiblity@css.gov.on.ca
Telephone: 416-314-0529
TTY: 416-326-0148/ Toll-free 1-888-335-6611
Fax: 416-326-9725
What’s changed between the initial proposed standard and the final proposed standard?
The committee revised their proposed accessible employment standard to incorporate public feedback. Here is the before and after comparison document.