News
Train The Trainer Workshop
July 21-22, 2010
A training solution for Accessible Customer Service Training.
For more information click on workshop.
For Immediate Release - AODA and Accessibility
Research indicates Ontarians have low awareness of new accessible customer service law
May 31, 2010 (Toronto, ON) – A new study conducted by IPSOS REID two weeks ago reveals that people in Ontario are relatively unaware of the sweeping legislative changes recently passed into law under the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (A.O.D.A.).
According to the IPSOS REID Canadian Online Omni May 10 to 17:
- 68% of Ontarians polled were either not very aware, or had never heard of this new legislation
- 88% think business and organizations will have to change significantly in the delivery of their services to appropriately serve customers with various disabilities
The study was undertaken by Accessibility Experts Ltd., to measure awareness on this new legislation. “We felt we needed to take a statistically sound reading on public awareness of the new accessibility law, as we prepare for the increased demand for our customer service training” says Sarah White, co-founder of Accessibility Experts Ltd – a company that helps organizations understand what A.O.D.A. requires of them, and provides the training, tools and support they will need to successfully develop internal policies and procedures to comply with the requirements outlined in the new accessibility law.
“The figures are rather staggering, when you consider that this new legislation is transforming the way we all conduct customer service in this province. We would have thought at this point that at least half of Ontarians would be familiar with this new standard in customer service; after all, we all know someone who has some sort of a disability, and we all will have a role to play in reducing barriers and improving access for them.”
For many years now, people have been very aware of improving access and reducing barriers for persons with physical limitations. But, this new legislation is radically different, in that it requires all private and public organizations in this province to be able to serve their customers in a manner that considers ANY disability a person may have - visible or non-visible - be it physical, hearing, sight, cognitive, intellectual or any other. Public institutions had until this past March; when they had to report to the provincial government on their compliance activities on the first phase of this new standard. Businesses and not-for-profits in Ontario will have a little over a year and a half before they too must comply and report in 2012.
“It’s clear, and it’s here”. says Ms. White. “There’s a completely new level of inclusive customer service rolling out, that will replace current standards and truly revolutionize the way we anticipate, and serve, the needs of our customers in this province. This most certainly will be a consideration for companies as they undertake their budgets for 2011”.
She continues – “As we interact with institutions and business leaders across Ontario, we consistently witness the fact that there is very little awareness of this new law among those who provide products and services and among consumers. That’s where we come in.” states Ms. White. “We help organizations to successfully deliver a new standard of customer service that has never before been upheld by the government. Believe me, this is on the minds of many CEOs these days, since organizations can be penalized if they are found guilty of an offence under this act; a fine of $100,000 per day for the organization, plus up to $50,000 per Director per day if found liable on conviction.”
AE will be keeping their finger on the pulse of this issue in the coming months, Ms White indicated; a follow-up survey already is planned for the spring of 2011. To find out what organizations will need to do to prepare for this legislation, visit www.accessibilityexperts.ca. For more information on the new customer service laws visit http://www.search.e-laws.gov.on.ca.
For more information on details of the IPSO study, the AODA, or Accessibility Experts Ltd., contact Susan Rawlinson at (905) 725-1499.
Accessibility Experts Ltd.Spring 2010 Newsletter
Attached is our Spring issue of the Accessibility Experts Ltd. newsletter! We’ve been busy developing workshops and seminars to keep you up to date with the AODA Standards. Let us know if there is something that you’d like to learn more about or an article you’d like us to put in the newsletter.
The Accessibility Experts Ltd. newsletter will now be published four times per year - spring, summer, fall and winter. Watch your in-box for the Summer issue July 2010!
accessibility experts spring 2010 newsletter.pdf
Welcome Page 1
Making Your PDF Documents Accessible Page 1
Customer Service Training Success Page 2
Train The Trainer Sessions Page 2
Opening The Door To Accessibility Information Page 3
2010 Paralympic Games Page 3
Together We Are Working Towards An Accessible Ontario - Special Offer Page 4
Reporting On Accessible Customer Service- Congratulations! Page 4
Good News & Updates Page 5
Ratification Of UN Convention On Disability Rights - Historic For Canadians Page 5
Accessibility Expo In Durham Everyone Welcome! Page 6
What Accessibility Experts Ltd. Has Developed To Help Make Your Accessibility Programs Better Page 7
The Accessibility Experts Ltd. Team
CANADA RATIFIES HISTORIC UN TREATY ON DISABILITY RIGHTS-Media Release
Bendina Miller joins Minister Cannon at the Press Conference, United Nations Headquarters, announcing Canada’s Ratification of UN Convention - March 11, 2010.
For more details click of the press release click Canada Ratifies Historic UN Treaty on Disability Rights - Media Release.pdf
Français Canada Ratifies Historic UN Treaty on Disability Rights - Media ReleaseFRE.pdf
For Bendina Miller's remarks click on Bendina Miller - Remarks at UN Press Conference - Canada's Ratification of the CRPD.pdf
HST - How it Affects You as Our Client
Thank you for choosing Accessibility Experts Ltd. as your training consulting firm. This is to inform our clients about the HST, a new federal tax being imposed starting July 1, 2010 and how this will affect you as our client. The information below applies specifically to Accessibility Experts Ltd.
The HST 13% replaces the GST 5% and PST 8%, this means that on invoices processed for work done after July 1, you will see HST at 13%.
Please note the following:
- There is a transition period from July 1 – November 1, 2010. After November 1, 2010 HST will be applied to all services, regardless. Any organization who was currently GST exempt will no longer be exempt, HST will be charged on all services from Accessibility Experts Ltd.
- The HST will be charged on all services provided by Accessibility Experts Ltd. This will include any training sessions, e-learning, workshops, conferences, consulting fees and incidental costs. (We will be notifying all our clients on invoices starting May 1 that the HST will be charged starting July 1, 2010. We have two Train The Trainer sessions scheduled, one in May and one in July. The May session GST applies and the July session HST applies. Reason for the difference is date of the training and related applicable taxes).
- If you have registered for E-Learning, paid for it but have not completed the training to date, HST will apply for all who complete their training after July 1. The transition rule which applies in this case is that if at least 90% of the training has occurred before July 1, 2010, only GST applies. However, the training will need to be completed before November 1, 2010; otherwise HST will apply. If the percentage of the training completed after July 1 is lower than 90%, GST will be applied to the percentage of services completed before July 1 and HST applies for the services completed after July 1.
In summary the date of the training determines what taxes are applied, not when the invoice is received and paid. If you require training and wish to not have HST applied, call us to book your training before July 1.
