On September 2, 2010, the Ontario government published the proposed integrated accessibility regulation (“IAR”) under the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act, 2005 (“AODA”) for public review and commentary.

As previously reported, the IAR initiative combines the information and communications, employment and transportation standards into a single, integrated regulation, intended to make them "more flexible" for business.

It further responds to recommendations published earlier this year regarding the need to harmonize the standards and avoid the "silo" effect that creates duplication, overlap and uncertainty.

The IAR is intended to streamline, align and phase-in accessibility requirements to allow for progress on accessibility, and reduce regulatory burden for obligated organizations.

The government also published proposed amendments to O. Reg. 629 (Vehicles for the Transportation of Physically Disabled Passengers), which deals specifically with the technical requirements for highway vehicles.

Stakeholders and interested parties are invited to comment upon the IAR and proposed amendments to O. Reg. 629 before October 16, 2010.

Hicks Morley is reviewing these proposals and will publish an FTR Now shortly.

More information about the AODA standards is available in our FTR Now of November 3, 2009, “AODA Update: Final Proposed Employment Accessibility Standard Released”.