On June 3, 2011, the Government of Ontario enacted the finalizedIntegrated Accessibility Standards Regulation (IASR) under theAccessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act, 2005 (AODA). This regulation harmonizes three accessibility standards that support implementation of the AODA in the areas of information and communications, employment and transportation. The regulation also includes general requirements for all areas including the development of accessibility policies and plans, training for employees and volunteers, and accessibility in the context of purchasing goods and services.
A notable revision made to the finalized regulation from the previous proposed version is a requirement for employee and volunteer training on the Ontario Human Rights Code as well as the IASR requirements.
Requirements under the IASR will be phased in across the province between 2011 and 2021. The regulation applies to public, private and not-for-profit businesses and organizations that:
- Provide goods, services or facilities either directly to the public or to other businesses and organizations, and
- Have at least one employee in Ontario.
This enactment marks the final step in the development of the harmonized accessibility standards. The harmonization process included two public review periods, during which the public was invited to provide the Ministry of Community and Social Services (MCSS) with feedback on the proposed regulation.
For more information about the Integrated Accessibility Standards Regulation and the AODA, please visit the MCSS website atwww.mcss.gov.on.ca.
For an analysis of the final IASR, visit the AODA Alliance website atwww.aodaalliance.org.
CMHA Ontario and the Schizophrenia Society of Ontario (SSO) issued joint submissions to MCSS during the IASR development process. See “Response to the draft proposed Integrated Accessibility Regulation under the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act, 2005: Final Public Review Period” on the CMHA Ontario website atwww.ontario.cmha.ca/submissions.