AODA and the Integrated Accessibility Standards Regulation (IASR)
The IASR is the practical component of the AODA, detailing the accessibility rules and responsibilities Ontario organizations are required to meet. While the AODA sets the overall vision for an accessible Ontario, the IASR provides the step-by-step standards that guide how workplaces must remove barriers, support employees and customers with disabilities, and build accessibility into their daily practices.
What Is the IASR?
The Integrated Accessibility Standards Regulation, known as the IASR, is the regulation that outlines the specific accessibility requirements organizations in Ontario must follow.
It explains how organizations must provide accessible communication, customer service, employment practices, transportation, and public spaces.
The IASR is the practical rulebook for accessibility in Ontario.
If the AODA sets the goal, the IASR provides the steps to achieve it.
The Five IASR Standards
1. General Requirements
Policies, accessibility plans, employee training, feedback processes.
2. Information and Communications Standards
Website accessibility, accessible documents, feedback mechanisms, emergency information.
3. Employment Standards
Accessible hiring, accommodation processes, return-to-work programs.
4. Transportation Standards
Requirements for transportation service providers to ensure accessible services.
5. Design of Public Spaces Standards
Accessibility requirements for outdoor public areas including parking, walkways, and ramps.
Why the IASR Matters
The IASR sets clear, enforceable rules to help organizations remove barriers for people with disabilities.
It ensures accessibility is built into everyday processes such as hiring, communication, customer service, and the built environment.
IASR standards improve equity, safety, and inclusion across Ontario workplaces.
What Organizations Must Do Under the IASR
Organizations must:
Develop accessibility policies
Create and maintain accessibility plans
Train employees and volunteers on IASR requirements
Provide accessible information and communication formats
Ensure accessibility in hiring and workplace practices
Meet website and digital accessibility rules
File accessibility compliance reports when required
How the IASR Connects to the AODA
The AODA is Ontario’s accessibility law.
The IASR is a regulation under the AODA that provides the specific standards organizations must follow.
If the AODA explains why accessibility is required, the IASR explains how organizations must comply.
