The Information and Communications Standards under the AODA and the Information and Communication Standard under the Accessibility for Manitobans Act (AMA) both require organizations to make information and communication accessible to people with disabilities. Moreover, both standards require many of the same processes and practices to ensure accessibility. However, there are many important differences between the standards. The third review of the AODA recommends that the Ontario government should coordinate with other provinces and the federal government to ensure that accessibility laws are consistent across Canada. Therefore, requirements in the AODA may one day change to align with mandates under the Accessibility for Manitobans Act. In this article, we will explore requirements for accessible educational resources in Ontario and Manitoba.
Accessible Educational resources in Ontario and Manitoba
The AODA’s Information and Communication Standards and the Accessible Information and Communication Standard of the Accessibility for Manitobans Act (AMA) both require educational institutions to have accessible educational resources. For example, educational institutions include:
- Public and private schools
- Colleges
- Universities
In both provinces, educational institutions must provide educational resources in accessible formats:
- Upon request
- At no extra cost
Educational institutions must consult with a person requesting a resource in an accessible format, to choose the best format for that person. Then, the institution must acquire or produce the resource in that format. If the institution cannot find or create an accessible-format version of the resource, the institution must find or create an accessible-format version of a comparable resource. For example, a certain textbook may not already exist in the accessible format a student needs. However, another textbook presenting the same information may already be converted to that format. In this case, the educational institution may acquire the second textbook for the student.
Differences
Ontario’s standards have similar requirements for producers of educational resources to produce accessible-format resources upon request. Therefore, schools in Ontario may find it easier to acquire accessible textbooks from the companies who create them.
Otherwise, Manitoba’s mandate is much broader in scope. For instance, it requires educational institutions to provide both accessible formats and communication supports. In contrast, Ontario’s requirement only mandates accessible formats for resources in hard-copy print.
In addition, Manitoba’s mandate also requires educational institutions to notify people that they can request accessible formats and communication supports. People who must be notified are:
- Students
- Applicants to programs
- Prospective applicants
- Parents and guardians of students, applicants, and prospective applicants
- Employees
This notification will alert anyone needing accessible educational resources that they are available. Moreover, employees will also be aware that any student, applicant, or prospective applicant could request accessible educational resources.
The respective strengths of requirements for accessible educational resources in Ontario and Manitoba could combine to create coordinated accessibility law across the country.