Last week, the Government of Ontario announced significant changes to the Customer Service Standard of the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA). As of July 1, 2016, private sector and non-profit organizations with 20 to 49 employees will still be required to submit accessibility compliance reports but will no longer be required to develop a documented accessible customer service policy Additional changes include:
- Accessible customer service training must now be provided to all members of the organization rather than just those who develop policy and procedures, or work with customers
- Documentation for service animals can now come from an expanded list of regulated health professionals that now includes occupational therapists, psychologists and psychotherapists in addition to physicians and nurses.
- Registered social workers are not included on the list
- Added considerations for when an organization may require a person with a disability to be accompanied by a support person, and a requirement to waive the fee or fare for the support person in this situation.
For more information, please read the revised regulation at the Government of Ontario website or check out the quick reference guide.
CMHA Ontario provided advice to the Government of Ontario on the revision process of the Standard. To learn more about our recommendations, read our submission to the Ontario Ministry of Economic Development, Trade and Employment (December 2015).