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AODA Compliance Deadlines: January 1, 2015 Requirements

Further to our blog on October 9, 2014, this is just a reminder that the clock is ticking and organizations will be expected to be in compliance with many of the requirements under the Integrated Accessibility Standard (“IAS”) by January 1, 2015. 

The key dates employers should be aware of from a compliance perspective are outlined below:

• By January 1, 2015, all employees and others providing services on behalf of a large organization (50 or more employees) must receive training on the Human Rights Code and the IAS as it pertains to persons with disabilities.
• By January 1, 2015, large organizations must ensure that their feedback processes can be administered in accessible formats and with communication supports, upon request.
• By January 1, 2015, small organizations (1 - 49 employees) must ensure they have developed and implemented accessibility policies describing how the organization will achieve accessibility and compliance with the Integrated Standards.
• If your organization utilizes self-service kiosks, it is required to incorporate “accessibility features” into their kiosks.Large employers were expected to comply with this requirement by January 1, 2014, and small organizations must comply with this by January 1, 2015.
• If your organization has not done so already, large and small employers were required to create emergency procedures and safety plans by January 1, 2012 to ensure persons with disabilities can exit or evacuate a building or premises safely in the event of an emergency.
• If you are a large employer with 50 or more employees, you are required to develop a multi-year accessibility plan which outlines the organization’s strategy to prevent and remove barriers and meet the requirements under the IAS regulation.Compliance with this deadline was expected on January 1, 2014.

We have also received a number of inquiries from our clients regarding their legal obligations regarding the Built Environment Standard.  For AODA purposes, the government will be making amendments to Ontario’s Building Code that is expected to come in to force as of January 1, 2015.  The new requirements will enhance accessibility obligations for newly constructed buildings and existing buildings that are to be extensively renovated. 

Organizations are well advised to comply with the AODA requirements by the specified deadlines, or else risk facing hefty fines and penalties for non-compliance.

Should your organization need assistance with complying with the imminent deadlines on the horizon, the lawyers at CCP will be happy to assist you in navigating through these requirements.