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New Human Rights Legislation in Ontario: Is Your Organization Accessible to Individuals with Disabilities?
Recognizing the barriers that individuals with disabilities face in obtaining access to goods, services, facilities, accommodation, employment and buildings or premises, the Ontario legislature enacted the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act, 2005 (AODA).
Although AODA has been in force for some time now, its concrete requirements are being slowly phased in through the Act’s underlying regulations, including O.Reg. 429/07 and O.Reg. 191/11.
As of January 1, 2012, private enterprises and non‑profits that provide goods and services to the public are required to comply with the regulations on accessibility to goods and services in Ontario. If you, or your organization, fail to follow the required steps to make your goods and services accessible to those with disabilities, you risk being faced with significant monetary penalties. Directors and Officers, for example, can be fined up to $50,000 per day for non‑compliance.