The Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act, 2005 is Ontario’s provincial accessibility law. Its purpose is to help identify, remove, and prevent barriers faced by people with disabilities in workplaces, services, and public spaces. The AODA sets standards that organizations must follow to make Ontario fully accessible.
The AODA is legislation created to improve accessibility for people with disabilities.
It requires both public and private organizations to take steps that support inclusion, independence, and equal access for all Ontarians.
Unlike guidelines or recommendations, the AODA is enforceable by law.
Organizations must meet specific requirements by certain deadlines, submit reports when required, and maintain ongoing compliance.
Ontario has more than 2.6 million people with disabilities.
Many face barriers in employment, communication, technology, transportation, and the built environment.
The AODA was developed to:
Reduce and eliminate barriers
Support equal opportunities
Ensure people with disabilities can participate fully in their communities
Set consistent accessibility requirements for all organizations
Create a long-term plan toward a barrier-free Ontario
The AODA gives the Ontario government the authority to develop, enforce, and update accessibility standards.
These accessibility standards outline what organizations must do.
There are two main regulations under the AODA:
These standards outline how organizations must provide accessible customer service.
This is the largest regulation. It includes five standards:
General Requirements
Information and Communications Standards
Employment Standards
Transportation Standards
Design of Public Spaces Standards
The IASR is where most day-to-day accessibility requirements come from.
The AODA defines a “barrier” as anything that prevents a person with a disability from participating fully in life.
Barriers include:
Steps, narrow hallways, inaccessible washrooms.
Software that does not support screen readers.
Documents that are not available in alternate formats.
Assumptions about what people with disabilities can or cannot do.
Hiring practices or policies that limit access.
The AODA applies to all:
Private businesses
Nonprofit organizations
Public-sector organizations
Municipalities
Public service providers
Any organization with at least one employee in Ontario must comply.
Train employees on AODA and IASR requirements
Develop accessibility policies
Create multi-year accessibility plans
Provide accessible communication formats
Offer accessible customer service
Make hiring, job postings, and workplace information accessible
Ensure emergency information is accessible
Meet web accessibility standards (WCAG)
Provide accessible public spaces when constructing or redeveloping
The size of the organization
Whether it is public or private
Whether the requirement is ongoing or deadline-based
The purpose of the AODA
Requirements of the Integrated Accessibility Standards Regulation
The Ontario Human Rights Code as it relates to people with disabilities
Employees
Managers
Volunteers
Contracted workers
Anyone involved in developing policies
Training must also be refreshed, especially when policies change.
Organizations must maintain:
A clear statement of commitment to accessibility.
A long-term plan outlining how the organization will identify and remove barriers.
Organizations must make these documents publicly available and provide them in accessible formats.
Under the IASR, organizations must meet digital accessibility standards.
Web content must comply with:
WCAG 2.0
Level A and AA requirements
For public websites and web content created or updated after 2012
Certain exceptions apply
This includes websites, web apps, PDF documents, audio, video, and digital tools.
The AODA includes enforcement measures.
Monetary penalties
Inspections
Orders to comply
Public posting of violations
Penalties range from $200 to $15,000 per day, depending on the violation and organization size.
Compliance is legally required, but it also provides benefits:
Helps attract and retain employees
Improves customer service
Reduces risk of complaints
Supports brand reputation
Creates inclusive work environments
Helps organizations reach more Ontarians
An accessible workplace benefits everyone.
Many organizations must file an Accessibility Compliance Report with the Ontario government.
All private and nonprofit organizations with 20 or more employees
All public-sector organizations
All municipalities
That the organization meets AODA and IASR requirements.