Page 14 - Lets Talk Winter 2015 | Lipton Chartered Accountants
P. 14
AccESSIBILITY fOR ONTARIANS
WITh DISABILITIES AcT –
ARE YOU cOmPLIANT? U Braille
Paul Roberts, BAcc, CPA, CA, Partner
Marissa Barnartt, DBHR, PCP, HR Compliance
De
Accessibility standards are set to influence responsibilities under this legislation. As pending on the type of services and
the way that employers and organizations in of January 1, 2012, general administrative products a company provides, the process
of accommodating clients/customers by
Ontario do business. standards as well as customer service
standards came into effect, which include modifying business tools and practices may
This results from the Accessibility for Ontarians developing an accessibility plan, training
be straightforward. Larger organizations may
with Disabilities Act (the AODA), which experience more significant commitments
employees, making the plan available to
establishes standards that require all employers customers and clients, and in some cases
such as installing wheel chair accessible
to meet certain accommodation requirements. filing an accessibility report. ramps if the company owns the building.
These standards apply to organizations across
the province with at least one employee Further requirements will come into
Employers should look at their workplaces
effect in the coming years, covering areas
working in Ontario – whether in the public, and assess whether any types of barriers
such as employment, information and
private or not-for-profit sectors – that provide exist, such as employee attitudes toward
goods, services or facilities to the public. disabilities, communication tools that may communication, and public areas such as
be difficult to access, or physical spaces that recreational facilities and parking areas.
The goal is to make Ontario a fully accessible might prevent a person with a disability from
province by the year 2025. By making business entering the premises. Fines can be levied under the AODA if
attractive and more accessible to people of all inspections should find that the organization
abilities provides Ontario employers with a How AODA Works fails to comply.
distinct competitive advantage.
Need more Information?
Those organizations with fewer than 20
The term “disability” covers a broad spectrum. employees must meet certain requirements The websites below help determine your
Individuals could have physical disabilities but are exempt from filing an accessibility organization’s requirements with respect
report. Organizations with 20 or more
that are more evident or something less to the AODA, provide guidelines for
visible such as a developmental disability or employees are required to file this report, implementation, and directions for filing
vision impairment. demonstrating that they are in compliance your report:
with the required standards to date. • www.ontario.ca/Accessibility/
Understand Responsibilities Compliance
The AODA (originally passed in 2005) sets Organizations with more than 50 employees • www.ontario.ca/AccessON
out a schedule that identifies requirements face more requirements. They must report Lipton LLP advisers are here to assist you.
for businesses to meet over years leading up that accessibility policies and a multi-year Should you require further specific information,
to 2025. These requirements depend on the plan are in place. They must also report that please contact us at 416-496-2900.
size of the organization’s workforce as well as accessibility is considered in other decisions,
the type of service or product provided. such as purchasing or designing electronic
kiosks; ensuring that websites are accessible;
As a first step toward compliance, employers and meeting all accessibility requirements
should ensure they understand their
since 2012.
|
|
Accounting & Assurance Tax Business Advisory
14
WITh DISABILITIES AcT –
ARE YOU cOmPLIANT? U Braille
Paul Roberts, BAcc, CPA, CA, Partner
Marissa Barnartt, DBHR, PCP, HR Compliance
De
Accessibility standards are set to influence responsibilities under this legislation. As pending on the type of services and
the way that employers and organizations in of January 1, 2012, general administrative products a company provides, the process
of accommodating clients/customers by
Ontario do business. standards as well as customer service
standards came into effect, which include modifying business tools and practices may
This results from the Accessibility for Ontarians developing an accessibility plan, training
be straightforward. Larger organizations may
with Disabilities Act (the AODA), which experience more significant commitments
employees, making the plan available to
establishes standards that require all employers customers and clients, and in some cases
such as installing wheel chair accessible
to meet certain accommodation requirements. filing an accessibility report. ramps if the company owns the building.
These standards apply to organizations across
the province with at least one employee Further requirements will come into
Employers should look at their workplaces
effect in the coming years, covering areas
working in Ontario – whether in the public, and assess whether any types of barriers
such as employment, information and
private or not-for-profit sectors – that provide exist, such as employee attitudes toward
goods, services or facilities to the public. disabilities, communication tools that may communication, and public areas such as
be difficult to access, or physical spaces that recreational facilities and parking areas.
The goal is to make Ontario a fully accessible might prevent a person with a disability from
province by the year 2025. By making business entering the premises. Fines can be levied under the AODA if
attractive and more accessible to people of all inspections should find that the organization
abilities provides Ontario employers with a How AODA Works fails to comply.
distinct competitive advantage.
Need more Information?
Those organizations with fewer than 20
The term “disability” covers a broad spectrum. employees must meet certain requirements The websites below help determine your
Individuals could have physical disabilities but are exempt from filing an accessibility organization’s requirements with respect
report. Organizations with 20 or more
that are more evident or something less to the AODA, provide guidelines for
visible such as a developmental disability or employees are required to file this report, implementation, and directions for filing
vision impairment. demonstrating that they are in compliance your report:
with the required standards to date. • www.ontario.ca/Accessibility/
Understand Responsibilities Compliance
The AODA (originally passed in 2005) sets Organizations with more than 50 employees • www.ontario.ca/AccessON
out a schedule that identifies requirements face more requirements. They must report Lipton LLP advisers are here to assist you.
for businesses to meet over years leading up that accessibility policies and a multi-year Should you require further specific information,
to 2025. These requirements depend on the plan are in place. They must also report that please contact us at 416-496-2900.
size of the organization’s workforce as well as accessibility is considered in other decisions,
the type of service or product provided. such as purchasing or designing electronic
kiosks; ensuring that websites are accessible;
As a first step toward compliance, employers and meeting all accessibility requirements
should ensure they understand their
since 2012.
|
|
Accounting & Assurance Tax Business Advisory
14
