On December 21, 2011, the Ontario government confirmed that private sector and not-for-profit organizations have until December 31, 2012 to file accessibility reports required under the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act, 2005 (“AODA”) Customer Service Standards regulation. The government also prepared “tip sheets” to assist organizations in meeting the emergency response requirements under the Integrated Accessibility Standards, the second regulation enacted under the AODA.

Both the Customer Service Standards and the emergency response requirements under the Integrated Accessibility Standards have compliance deadlines of January 1, 2012.

More information about these standards is outlined in our FTR Nows of November 17, 2011, “Are You Prepared for the AODA?”, and June 9, 2011, “Ontario Government Releases Final Integrated Accessibility Standards Regulation Under the AODA.”

Information on the AODA is available on the Ministry of Community and Social Services website.