Accessibility Experts - Making your business accessible.
AODA (Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act) Accessible Customer Service Training
Are you looking for training or consulting so that you can meet the legislative requirements under the AODA (Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act)? We offer a variety of workshops and courses (3 hour, 1 hour, E-Learning, Train the Trainer). Go to "services" for a complete listing of our workshops. Our training assists you in being compliant with the Ontario Regulation 429/07.
Accessibility Experts - Consulting and Training Firm
We provide consulting services and training and are passionate about making Ontario accessible. We can help you to comply with the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA) and serve your customers with disabilities effectively.
Our services
- Accessible Customer Service training
- Integrated Accessibility Standards training
- Accessibility planning and development
- Train the Trainer
- E-Learning
- Web Accessibility Training
- Accessibility Assessment and Audits
- Accessible Document - Creating Accessible documents in Word, Excel, Pulisher and PDFs
- Policy Development and Review
- Consulting Services
- Accessible Elections
- Building Assessments
Should you require information in an alternative format, feel free to contact us admin@accessibilityexperts.ca
AODA (Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act) Compliance it’s the law!
Are you providing "accessible customer service" to persons with disabilities? Under the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA) you must comply to the new standards. Organizations can be penalized if they are found guilty of an offense under this Act. A fine of up to $100,000 per day to your organization plus $50,000 to each Director if found liable on conviction. The AODA enforces the customer service standards through inspections, compliance orders and administrative penalties.
What do I need to do to comply?
You must provide accessible customer service. In order to meet the legislative requirements you will need to:
- Have policies and procedures in place
- Provide training for all staff (full time, part time, volunteers and contractors) which meet the AODA Customer Service Standard.
- Offer alternative formats
- Have a feedback mechanism
- Have a notification of disrupted service procedure
- Develop a procedure for service animals and support staff provision
Make sure you are in compliance by being familiar with the act. Click on Ontario Regulation under the AODA, 2005 to see what the legislative requirements are.
When do you have to comply?
Public sector organizations must comply to the Customer Service Standards by January 1, 2010.
Private business, non profit organizations, or any other service provider must comply by January 1, 2012.
Are there other standards?
Yes, there are other standards that the Government of Ontario is developing. We have included links to each of the standards. This Regulation applies to the Government of Ontario, the Legislative Assembly, every designated public sector organization and to every other person or organization that provides goods, services or facilities to the public or other third parties and that has at least one employee in Ontario.
The other standards are:
Integrated Accessibility Standard (released June, 2011 with variables deliverable and compliance dates)
They include three standards:
- Information and Communications Standard
- Employment Standard
- Transportation Standard
See the copy of the Integrated Accessibility Standard.pdf .
Built Environment Standard is currently in a draft format, it is being reviewed by the government and we are expecting its release sometime in 2012. It will be "new build" forward. You can access a draft copy of the Built Environment Standard.
You will need to file reports, click on the how to file your report for more information.
We can help
Accessibility Experts have worked with many public organizations; townships, cities, regional governments, libraries, school boards, conservation authorities, private sector organizations, non-profits and government ministries. We have many customers: Tim Hortons, Sobeys Ontario, Elections Ontario, Veridian, Durham College, Ontario Reatly Corporation, Ontario Hospital Association, TVO, MPAC, hundreds of Municipalities, and many other small and large organizations. for a listing of our many clients see our client list.
Why us?
Accessibility Experts have extensive background and expertise in all areas of the legislation and the needs of persons with disabilities. We are a credible, responsive and trusted supplier of accessibility training and consulting with a company goal of helping organizations to meet each required standard under the AODA (Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act, 2005). We also care! We want to ensure that everyone can access the same goods and services as everyone else! The Owner and Corporate Director, Edie Forsyth, is passionate about making Ontario accessible for people with disabilities. Her passion comes across in all of the services the organization provides. Simplistic and easy solutions can be provided once we understand the needs of people with disabilities.
We can help you find that solution so that you are in compliance. Consultation processes are undertaken with all customers to identify and develop each organizations individual solution. We design training that is tailored to the individual needs of the company. Training that ensures you are meeting the requirements of the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act and fulfilling the needs of your customers with disabilities.
We follow each of the AODA Standards , W3C Web Content Accessibility Guidelines, CNIB Clear Print Accessibility Guidelines and London Facility Accessibility Design Standards. We continually receive information from colleagues and the many committees we are part of. It helps us provide expert advice and training. It also enables us to produce accessible documents, accessible web sites and advise on building assessments, customer service audits and accessible renovations.
