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Deadline for Compliance with 1st Accessibility Standard a Mere 6 Days Away

Oct 26, 2018

Think Compliance

Government has known about the November 1, 2018 compliance deadline for almost 3 years now. That provided lots and lots of time to get the word out and to ensure that 35,000+ organizations knew about, and had the tools needed to meet, their legal obligations. Lots of time, too, to consult with Manitoba’s disability communities, and to have established a strong and effective compliance framework.

Or not if it wasn’t a priority.

It’s well past time just to “think compliance”. It’s time to actually comply (hopefully with adequate support from government). And it’s just about time for government to begin monitoring, reporting on and taking the steps needed to enforce compliance.

As a primer (or reminder), here’s an excerpt from the government’s AMA website:

By November 1, 2018, if your business or non-profit organization has at least one employee, you must meet the Customer Service Standard.

Businesses include shops, restaurants, hotels, legal, healthcare and other professional services etc.

Non-profit organizations include charities, unions, places of worship, community organizations and member associations etc.

To offer great customer service and to comply with Manitoba’s accessibility laws, address barriers that prevent customers from receiving service:

  • meet the communication needs of customers, clients or members
  • allow assistive devices, such as wheelchairs, walkers and oxygen tanks
  • welcome support people, who are there to assist
  • welcome people with service animals
  • ensure accessibility is maintained as intended (ramps, wide aisles, removal of clutter)
  • let customers know when accessible features and services are not available
  • invite customers to provide feedback
  • train staff on accessible customer service, including reasonable accommodations under The Human Rights Code (Manitoba)

If you have 20 or more employees you must provide public notice that information about your compliance with the Customer Service Standard is available upon request, including:

  • measures, policies and practices
  • training policy, including a summary of the content of the training and when the training is to be provided.

The notice must be displayed in a prominent way on the premises and on the organization's website, or through another reasonable means. If a person with a disability requests the documentation, the organization must provide it in a manner that takes into account the barrier; and within a reasonable time and at no cost to the person.

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