Barrier-Free World
In June 2005 the Ontario Government unanimously passed the Accessibility for
Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA, formerly Bill 118). This law, under the Ministry of
Community and Social Services, will see the province of Ontario become one of the most
accessible locations to live work and play.
In January 2006 two of the five Standards Development Committees were created and
began to develop the "rules" behind the AODA. The first two were: Customer Service,
and Transportation. Customer Service Standards have been written by the Committee
and are currently under public scrutiny (see draft of the Customer Service Standard).
The Transportation Committee will release their Standard for public review in 2007.
Three more Standards Development Committees will begin shortly. The next in line is
the Committee on Information Technology and Communication -- applications are
already being accepted. It is hoped that the final two Committees (Built Environment
and Employment) will be created and begin work sometime in 2007.
Each Committee has/will have approximately 28 participants representing various
sectors, including private industry, government departments, social sectors (hospitals,
associations) and people with disabilities. Committee members work together to develop
standards that address the needs of the sector they represent.
The disability community is watching closely to see how effective these Standards will
represent their needs and rights. It is expected that the full impact of the AODA will take
until the year 2025.
It is important to note that while the AODA affects every employee or volunteer within
any business, organization, and government department operating in the province of
Ontario, it does not affect any that are under Federal jurisdiction. Therefore, banks,
federally directed transportation services, and our own national government do not have
to follow the rules of the AODA. Although, to their credit, the banking industry did have
a representative at the table for the Customer Service Standards Development
Committee, so while not legislated, this industry is obviously aware of the impact of the
disability community.
Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA, formerly Bill 118). This law, under the Ministry of
Community and Social Services, will see the province of Ontario become one of the most
accessible locations to live work and play.
In January 2006 two of the five Standards Development Committees were created and
began to develop the "rules" behind the AODA. The first two were: Customer Service,
and Transportation. Customer Service Standards have been written by the Committee
and are currently under public scrutiny (see draft of the Customer Service Standard).
The Transportation Committee will release their Standard for public review in 2007.
Three more Standards Development Committees will begin shortly. The next in line is
the Committee on Information Technology and Communication -- applications are
already being accepted. It is hoped that the final two Committees (Built Environment
and Employment) will be created and begin work sometime in 2007.
Each Committee has/will have approximately 28 participants representing various
sectors, including private industry, government departments, social sectors (hospitals,
associations) and people with disabilities. Committee members work together to develop
standards that address the needs of the sector they represent.
The disability community is watching closely to see how effective these Standards will
represent their needs and rights. It is expected that the full impact of the AODA will take
until the year 2025.
It is important to note that while the AODA affects every employee or volunteer within
any business, organization, and government department operating in the province of
Ontario, it does not affect any that are under Federal jurisdiction. Therefore, banks,
federally directed transportation services, and our own national government do not have
to follow the rules of the AODA. Although, to their credit, the banking industry did have
a representative at the table for the Customer Service Standards Development
Committee, so while not legislated, this industry is obviously aware of the impact of the
disability community.
| Legislation |
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