Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act
Policy Statement
The County of Northumberland is committed to complying with the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disability Act (AODA) and all of the standards under it in order to create a barrier-free Ontario.
Background
In recognition of a history of discrimination against persons of disabilities, the government of Ontario developed and passed a law called the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act with the goal of creating a barrier-free Ontario by 2025. This law is the first of its kind in Canada.
Under this landmark legislation the government of Ontario is authorized to develop, implement and enforce mandatory accessibility standards that will identify, remove and prevent barriers for people with disabilities in key areas of daily living. Five sets of accessibility standards are planned, including:
- Customer Service - regulation now in force
- Transportation
- Information & Communication
- Built Environment
- Employment
What is an accessibility standards?
A standard is an agreed way of doing something. Standards control the quality, safety and reliability of products and services.
An accessibility standard under the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act is a law that designated businesses and roganizations have to follow to identify, remove and prevent barriers for people with disabilities within a certain timeframe.
