Under the AODA, private or non-profit businesses with twenty to forty-nine (20-49) workers, or fifty (50) or more workers, must complete accessibility reports every three (3) years. The next accessibility reports for private or non-profit businesses are due on December 31st, 2023. Therefore, workers should know how to answer all questions in accessibility reports for private or non-profit businesses by this deadline.
Questions in Accessibility Reports for Private or Nonprofit Businesses
The yes-or-no questions in accessibility reports for private or non-profit businesses ask whether a business complies with mandates in the AODA. Furthermore, each question should include a link to the mandate or rule it asks about. Likewise, other links lead workers to resources that help them learn what they should do to follow the rules. Therefore, workers can use these links to remind themselves what the mandates are and think about whether their business complies. Then, workers complete the form by responding to each question with yes or no. Moreover, they can also write comments under each question.
Questions about Customer Service
Businesses that have twenty (20) or more workers and provide customer service will need to answer questions about whether they comply with AODA customer service requirements, including whether they:
- Have customer service policies
- Welcome customers with:
- Train all workers and volunteers on the AODA
- communicate with customers in ways that take their disabilities into account
- Provide information accessibly
- Notify customers about temporary service disruptions
- Have accessible feedback processes
In addition, businesses with fifty (50) or more workers may answer questions about whether they:
- Document their customer service policies
- Have accessibility plans
- Update policies and plans every five years
- Keep records of workers’ AODA training
Questions about Employment
Furthermore, businesses with fifty (50) or more workers also need to respond to questions about how accessible their employment practices are. For instance, they may be asked whether they:
- Make the hiring process accessible
- Provide accessible workplace information to workers with disabilities
- create individualized workplace emergency response plans for all workers with disabilities
- Make workplace performance management, career advancement, and redeployment processes accessible
- Have processes for creating:
- Individual accommodation plans for workers who disclose disabilities
- Return to work plans for workers who have been absent due to disability
Questions about Information and Communications
Similarly, businesses with fifty (50) or more workers will need to confirm that they provide information in ways that people with disabilities can access. For instance, businesses may need to state whether they have:
- Information in accessible formats and with communication supports, upon request
- Accessibility training for educators
- Accessible library resources
- Accessible web content
Questions about Transportation
Likewise, businesses with fifty (50) or more workers that provide transportation will need to answer questions about the accessibility of their vehicles and services. For example, businesses may be asked whether they have:
- AODA training for all transportation workers
- Accessibility plans for conventional and specialized providers
- Systems in place for passengers who travel with support persons
- Audio and visual announcements
- Courtesy seating
Questions about Public Spaces
Finally, businesses with fifty (50) or more workers that have built or renovated public spaces will need to verify that these spaces are accessible. For instance, they may need to confirm that people with disabilities can access:
In other words, these questions in accessibility reports for private or non-profit businesses help workers learn how well their business obeys the law. Our next article will cover how the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Division (AODT) audits businesses to verify compliance.