The Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act information session
October 7, 2011 by Martin
The Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA) recognizes that the treatment of the disabled in our society has not always been fair and equal and seeks to change that. Basically, it aims at making sure that everyone in the society has access to every public building and workplace. The Act will consist of 4 standards, one of which is the Customer Service Standard which must be compiled with by January 1 of 2012.
The goal of the AODA is to make accessible “every designated public sector organization and to every other person or organization that provides goods or services to members of the public.” Those organizations are required to do certain things to qualify, the first being that they must come up with policies, practices and procedures of how to succeed in this. Next they have to allow for the use of service animals in their premises. They must also give notice of any temporary disruptions in compliance, they must give staff full training in how to comply and they must allow a feedback process.
Businesses of more than 20 employees must post a notice of availability of documentation on their compliance which will most likely consist of a large poster. Poster printing companies have a lot of experience with creating materials that will be visible to those who may have visual disabilities.
To help local businesses comply with the Customer Service Standard, the Centre Wellington Chamber of Commerce office in Fergus will be presenting several learning sessions. The next one will be held on October 12 from 12-1 pm and is called AODA Customer Service: What you must do to Comply – a step by step process.
