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AODA for Parishes

Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act

In 2005, the Ontario Public Service passed the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA), which requires training for all employers and workers in Ontario. Its purpose is to improve accessibility standards for Ontarians with physical and mental disabilities in all public establishments by 2025. Compliance is mandatory.

Our family of faith works to make sure everyone in our community is aware of their responsibilities to foster an accessible and inclusive environment for those with disabilities.

Accessibility standards

The accessibility standards are the legal requirements parishes need to follow to become more accessible to people with disabilities. They address five key areas:

  1. Customer service
  2. Information and communications
  3. Employment
  4. Transportation
  5. Design of public spaces

Training

Parishes are required to provide AODA training to all employees, volunteers, contractors and other third parties, and all others who provide goods, services or facilities on behalf of the parish. Training should include:

  • The purpose of AODA  and the requirements of the Customer Service Standard
  • How to interact and communicate with people with various types of disabilities
  • How to interact with people with disabilities who use an assistive device, who may be accompanied by a support person or who need the help of a service animal
  • How to use equipment or devices available on the parish’s premises or otherwise provided by the parish that may help with the provision of goods or services to a person with a disability
  • What to do if a person with a disability is having difficulty accessing goods and services from the parish and how to provide feedback on such an issue

It’s important for parishes to keep track of all training records; they may be needed in the future.

Compliance reports

Parishes with 20 or more employees must complete an accessibility compliance report. It’s a way to make sure parishes are on track with the goal of making a fully accessible province by 2025. The report is a self-assessment of a parish’s status in terms of compliance with provincial accessibility requirements.

Parishes with 20 or more employees that fail to submit a report can face penalties and fines. Email Accessibility Ontario if you need the form in an alternate format. If you have any questions about accessibility compliance reporting, or the details necessary to complete the forms, contact Accessibility Ontario at 1-866-515-2025, 416-325-3408 or accessibility@ontario.ca.

Resources

These sites should give you the resources you need to comply with AODA training requirements:

For more information, contact the Human Resources department.