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The Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (2005) Ontario

The Legislation and Act
Accessibility Resources to Support Implementation of the AODA Evaluation of Legislation
Links to Other Ontario Disability Sites

The Legislation and Act

The Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (2005)

http://www.e-laws.gov.on.ca/html/statutes/english/elaws_statutes_05a11_e.htm

Provincial legislation passed unanimously by all parties on third reading in the Ontario Legislative Assembly on May 10, 2005. This Act was enacted to achieve accessibility for all Ontarians with disabilities with respect to goods, services, facilities, accommodation, employment, buildings, structures and premises on or before January 1, 2025.

The AODA covers the public, private and not-for profit sectors.

The AODA supplements but does not diminish other legal obligations. Persons with disabilities continue to have access to all other pre-existing protections, including the human rights code, and avenues of recourse to protect and defend their rights.
The focus of the Act is on the development, implementation and enforcement of accessibility standards. Accessibility standards will be developed, initially, in five areas:

Monitoring and enforcement is to be based on reporting by obligated organizations and reviews and investigations by government agencies.

Persons with disabilities comprise one-half of members of committees drafting standards. Disability groups with representatives participating in the committees include but are not limited to:

  • Adult Learning Disabilities Resource
  • Alliance for Equality of Blind Canadians
  • AODA Alliance
  • Association for Persons with Physical Disabilities of Windsor and Essex County
  • Audio Tactile Network
  • Augmentative Communications Partnerships Canada
  • Canadian Council of the Blind (Ontario Division)
  • Canadian Council on Rehabilitation and Work
  • Canadian Hard of Hearing Association
  • Canadian Mental Health Association, Ontario
  • Canadian National Institute for the Blind
  • Canadian Paraplegic Association
  • Citizens with Disabilities – Ontario
  • Community Living Ontario
  • Disabled Persons Community Resources
  • Goodwill Industries
  • Independent Living Resource Centre
  • Learning Disabilities Association of Ontario
  • MS Society
  • Ontario March of Dimes
  • Toronto Rehabilitation Institute

The AODA requires annual progress reports from the Minister of Community and Social Services with a four-year comprehensive review of the Act followed by reviews every three years thereafter.

The AODA requires five-year reviews and updating of each set of standards and includes substantial emphasis on public education and information and other supports to obligated organizations.

Accessibility Resources to Support Implementation of the AODA

Access On: Breaking Barriers Together.

http://www.accesson.ca/ado/splash.htm

Make your business or organization accessible to employees and customers with disabilities.

Links to Other Ontario Disability Sites

Accessibility Plans

The Act requires that each government ministry make its facilities, its practices, its programs and its publications and Internet sites more accessible and inclusive.

Section 10 of the Act specifies that each ministry is responsible for preparing annual accessibility plans and making them available to the public.
http://www.mcss.gov.on.ca/mcss/english/pillars/accessibilityOntario/planning/

AODA Alliance

The AODA Alliance is a disability consumer advocacy group that works to support the full and effective implementation of accessibility standards in Ontario. Since 2005, the AODA Alliance has worked collaboratively with the disability community and with government to promote the interests of persons with disabilities.

The Alliance works to advance the full participation of persons with disabilities in Ontario, through effectual accessibility standards development.
http://www.aodaalliance.org/

ODA Committee

The Ontarians with Disabilities Act Committee is a voluntary coalition of individuals and community organizations who have united to secure the passage in Ontario of a new law which would achieve a barrier-free society for persons with disabilities.
http://www.aodaalliance.org/oda-committee/index.htm