FEATURE Standards (Integrated Standards). Both standards mandate the develop-ment of accessibility policies and training, though the scope of the latter is broader and addresses accessibility of information and communication – including website accessibility and feedback procedures – employment, transportation and design of public spaces. The private sector was to have com-plied with the Customer Service Standards by Jan. 1, 2012. The require-ments of the Integrated Standards are being phased in between 2012 and 2021 with compliance deadlines vary-ing depending on whether an organi-zation has fewer than 50 employees (small organization) or 50 employees or more (large organization). As of Jan. 1, 2016 every private sec-tor organization will have new obliga-tions under the Integrated Standards. Small organizations will be required to ensure training on the Integrated Standards and the Ontario Human Rights Code, as it pertains to persons with disabilities, is provided to: employees and volunteers • • persons involved in developing policies persons who provide goods, ser-• vices or facilities on the organiza-tion’s behalf Small organizations are also required to ensure that processes for receiving and responding to feedback from em-ployees, the public and clients are ac-cessible to persons with disabilities. Finally, small organizations will be required to comply with most of the requirements applicable to large or-ganizations (set out below) by Jan. 1, 2017. Large organizations will be required to improve accessibility for the public and clients/patients, upon request, by providing information about the or-ganization’s goods, services and facil-ities in an accessible format or with communication supports, in a timely manner and at no additional cost. An accessible format includes, for exam-ple, large print, Braille, recorded audio and electronic formats, whereas com-munication support refers to caption-ing, plain language and other support that facilitates effective communica-tion. www.canadianchiropractor.ca COMPLIANCE Accessible care M New compliance requirements for clinics and health-care practices in Ontario accessible. The AODA is particularly important to the health-care industry because of the role health-care pro-viders play in our communities and the extent to which their services are provided to people with disabilities. Accessibility requirements under the AODA are being phased in over time with the ultimate goal of achiev-ing an accessible Ontario by the year 2025. There are two Accessibility Standards currently in force – the Accessibility Standards for Customer Service (Customer Service Stand-ards) and the Integrated Accessibility BY LEAH SIMON AND ALEXANDRA JAMIESON ore than 1.8 million people in Ontario have a disability. For many of them, accessing goods, services and em-ployment is a chal-lenge because society does not always, or consistently, consider the accessibil-ity needs of people with disabilities. The Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA) is relatively new legislation that places a responsi-bility on every organization to take proactive steps to become more LEAH SIMON and ALEXANDRA JAMIESON are lawyers with Sherrard Kuzz LLP, one of Canada’s leading employment and labour law firms, representing management. Simon and Jamieson can be reached at 416.603.0700 (Main), 416.420.0738 (24 Hour) or by visiting www.sherrardkuzz.com. 22 Canadian Chiropractor December 2015
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