Resources

• An Introduction to the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act, 2005
• Making Ontario Accessible

Frequently Asked Questions

Frequently asked questions about the Accessibilty For Ontarians With Disabilities Act, 2005

1. What is the goal of the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act, 2005?
   
2. How will this legislation make a difference in the lives of people with disabilities?
   
3. Why will the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act, 2005, take until 2025 to implement?
   
4. What are some of the changes that we can expect to see as a result of the new legislation?
   
5. Who will develop the standards?
   

Frequently asked questions about the Standards Development Committees.

1. What are the standards that the committees will develop? To whom will they apply?
   
2. What precisely do the standards development committees have to do?
   
3. What is the relationship of the Accessibility Standards Advisory Council (ASAC) and the standards development committees?
   
4. How many members will there be on each committee?
   
5. How will the government ensure sufficient public input into the standards development process?
   
6. How can I ensure my perspective and interest get heard?
   
7. How often will the standards development committees meet?
   
8. What happens after the public review?
   

Find out more about the process for developing standards in the following areas: Customer Service; Transportation; Built Environment; Employment; and, Communications and Information Technology.

Frequently Asked Questions And Answers

What is the goal of the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act, 2005?

The purpose of the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act, 2005, is to achieve accessibility for Ontarians with disabilities with respect to goods, services, facilities, accommodation, employment, buildings, structures and premises on or before January 1, 2025, by developing, implementing and enforcing accessibility standards. The Act would also provide for the involvement of people with disabilities, representatives of sectors of the economy and the Government of Ontario in the development of accessibility standards (Section 1).

How will this legislation make a difference in the lives of people with disabilities?

People with disabilities should be able to move around from place to place, go shopping, attend school, visit their doctor or get a job, without facing barriers that people without disabilities would not face. That's what we mean by an accessible society, and that's our goal.

Why will the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act, 2005, take until 2025 to implement?

2025 is an end point, not a starting point. Working together – individuals, communities and the public and private sectors – we will be able to remove and prevent barriers beginning right away. We will achieve real results in stages, with milestones every five years or less.

There are many changes that organizations can make easily to help remove barriers for people with disabilities – simple things such as installing ramps or providing publications in large print. But making Ontario accessible requires fundamental change. Despite what we might all desire, that can't happen overnight.

Other jurisdictions have reached the same conclusion. For example, Australia has five-year timeframes over a 30-year period for removing transportation barriers. And the United States has transportation timeframes ranging up to 30 years.

What are some of the changes that we can expect to see as a result of the new legislation?

Standards will be set in both the public and private sectors to address the full range of disabilities – including physical, sensory, mental health, developmental and learning. New standards could include:

• Employment policies and processes
• Software applications and websites

Who will develop the standards?

Each standard will be developed by a committee that includes people with disabilities or their representatives, representatives of industries or sectors and government ministries.

What are the standards that the committees will develop? To whom will they apply?

A number of standards will be developed to address barriers to accessibility that have a major impact on daily living for people with disabilities. Some of the standards could apply to all sectors of society. For example, barriers in the areas of customer service, built environment, employment and information and communications are common to all sectors in Ontario . Additional committees may be established to address barriers that may be unique to a particular sector, such as transportation.

What precisely do the standards development committees have to do?

Each committee will be responsible for:

• Developing long-term accessibility objectives and proposed accessibility standards (taking into account economic and other considerations) for the respective industry, sector or class of persons/organizations;
• Submitting a proposed accessibility standard to the Minister of Community and Social Services to be posted for public review;
• Considering the input received from the public review; and
• Submitting a final proposed accessibility standard to the minister for the government's consideration.

What is the relationship of the Accessibility Standards Advisory Council (ASAC) and the standards development committees?

Both the standards development committees and the Accessibility Standards Advisory Council are established under the AODA.

The main function of standards development committees will be to propose accessibility standards to the Minister. Committees are not agencies of the government but are in place on a temporary basis to undertake a specific task.

The Accessibility Standards Advisory Council consists of members appointed by the Minister for up to a three-year renewable term. Under the act, the council is required to have people with disabilities as a majority of members. At the direction of the Minister, the council will advise the Minister on:

• The progress of standards development and in achieving the purposes of the act;
• Programs of public information related to the act; and
• Other matters.

How many members will there be on each committee?

There will likely be 14 to 28 members on each committee.

How will the government ensure sufficient public input into the standards development process?

There will be a range of mechanisms for standards development committees to obtain outside input.

Committee members can obtain input from their own organizations and others in their sector in order to help inform the standards development process. Committee meeting minutes and other reports will be posted on the ministry website.

In addition, there is opportunity for input on proposed standards during the mandatory public review period prescribed in the legislation.

How can I ensure my perspective and interest get heard?

There will be opportunity for input by all interested Ontarians on the proposed accessibility standards the committees develop, during the mandatory public review period prescribed in the legislation. The proposed standards will be posted on a government internet site for public comment.

How often will the standards development committees meet?

The development of a proposed standard by a standards development committee could take up to a year with about six two-day meetings during that period. A mandatory orientation and training session is included. Additional time may be required of committee members between meetings.

What happens after the public review?

Once the public review is completed, the committees will consider the input provided and may meet again to make changes to the proposed standards given the input received during public review, before submitting a final proposed standard to the Minister.

No later than 90 days after receiving the proposed standard, the Minister will write to each committee to let them know whether she will recommend to the Lieutenant Governor in Council that the proposed standard be adopted by regulation in whole, in part or with modifications.