Whether you have 2 employees or 200, the December 31, 2017 deadline to submit your Accessibility Compliance Report is quickly approaching.
The 2005 Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA) mandated Ontario companies be fully accessible by 2025. Businesses with one or more employees are required to be compliant with Ontario’s accessibility laws, which means giving people of all abilities the opportunity to participate in all aspects of daily living.
The compliance report confirms that your company has met the current accessibility requirements under the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA).
The number of employees in your company, including all full-time, part-time, seasonal, and contract workers, will determine the areas of compliance required:
- 1-49 employees:
The Accessible Employment Standard ensures employment practices are accessible to meet the needs of employees and job applicants with disabilities. Focus areas include hiring, work information, talent and performance management, and communication of accessibility policies.
- 50+ employees:
The Design of Public Spaces requirement ensures that businesses address barriers impeding access to outdoor public spaces by persons with disabilities. Standard public spaces include exterior sidewalks and walkways, entrances to buildings, outdoor public eating areas, and accessible parking.
AUDIT TRIGGERS AND REPORTING TIPS
Here are some of the triggers that may lead to an audit of your company’s AODA compliance, along with how to avoid them:
- If your company answers “NO” to any of the questions, you will be contacted by an AODA representative to help you come up with a compliance plan. Ensure that your company is able to answer “YES” to each question by taking the time to complete the requirements before December 31, 2017.
- If your company does not file an accessibility report, this is considered non-compliance. Not filing a report can be an indicator of non-compliance for future reports. It is better to file the report – even if you have to answer “NO” to some of the questions.
- In select cases, filing a report indicating full compliance may also be audited. Your company’s plan and policies do not have to be submitted with the report, but if audited you must be prepared to provide documentation for all answers to which you reported yes.
We know that compliance can be complicated, but we’re here to help. If you have any questions or would like assistance with your Accessibility Compliance Report, click here to send an email to our Occupational Wellness Manager.
