Skip to content
Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Youtube
Ontario chamber of commerce logo.
  • Advocacy
    • Campaign Trail & Advocacy Updates – 2025 Federal Election
    • Ontario Competes
    • Our Publications
    • Ontario Economic Report
    • Ontario’s Mining Future 2030
    • Artificial Intelligence Hub
    • Economic Reconciliation Initiative
    • Housing Affordability Initiative
    • Policy Brief Series
  • Councils
  • Events
    • Advocacy Day
    • Annual General Meeting
    • Ontario Business Achievement Awards
    • Ontario Business Advisory Council
    • Ontario Economic Summit
    • Smart Growth Symposium
    • Webinars
  • Programs
    • Grow Your Business Online
    • Talent Opportunities Program
    • Discover Ability Network
    • Canada United Small Business Relief Fund
    • Export and Trade
  • Membership
    • Affinity Programs
  • News
    • Media Releases
    • Policy Updates
    • Blogs
  • About
    • Contact
    • Board of Directors
    • Staff
    • Employment
    • Strategic Plan
A magnifying glass icon on a white background.
x
x
  • Advocacy
    • Campaign Trail & Advocacy Updates – 2025 Federal Election
    • Ontario Competes
    • Our Publications
    • Ontario Economic Report
    • Ontario’s Mining Future 2030
    • Artificial Intelligence Hub
    • Economic Reconciliation Initiative
    • Housing Affordability Initiative
    • Policy Brief Series
  • Councils
  • Events
    • Advocacy Day
    • Annual General Meeting
    • Ontario Business Achievement Awards
    • Ontario Business Advisory Council
    • Ontario Economic Summit
    • Smart Growth Symposium
    • Webinars
  • Programs
    • Grow Your Business Online
    • Talent Opportunities Program
    • Discover Ability Network
    • Canada United Small Business Relief Fund
    • Export and Trade
  • Membership
    • Affinity Programs
  • News
    • Media Releases
    • Policy Updates
    • Blogs
  • About
    • Contact
    • Board of Directors
    • Staff
    • Employment
    • Strategic Plan
A man is riding a bike on a hill.

Being AODA Compliant is the Right Thing to do for Your Business

COVID-19 Information Tariff Resources
Navigating U.S. Tariffs
Become a Member
Become a Member >
Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Youtube

Blog

Being AODA Compliant is the Right Thing to do for Your Business

June 6, 2019

Picture this.

It’s a beautiful Sunday afternoon and you’re out grocery shopping with your son. He’s having a great time, running up and down the aisles and dropping all sorts of treats into your basket.

Suddenly he tugs at your arm and whispers, “Mommy, I need to go to the washroom.” You know you must act fast before he has an accident. You quickly flag down a member of the staff who lets you know that there is a bathroom downstairs.

You think problem solved, except it isn’t.

Your son is in a wheelchair and the only way downstairs is by using two flights of stairs.

That is just one reason why accessibility is important.

Accessibility gives people of all abilities the opportunity to participate in everyday life.

The Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA) was passed in 2005, with the goal of making Ontario accessible by 2025.

The AODA sets accessibility standards that organizations must meet. These AODA standards apply to all organizations (public, private, and not-for-proft) with one or more employees in Ontario, although requirements depend on an organization’s type and size.

Many people think of disabilities as noticeable physical disabilities—such as using a wheelchair as illustrated in the earlier example. But not all disabilities are visible, and you can’t always tell who has a disability.

Disabilities can include physical limitations and mental health, cognitive or intellectual development, learning, hearing, or vision disabilities. They also can include epilepsy, substance addictions, environmental sensitivities, and workplace injuries.

Small businesses in Ontario must have accessibility policies for employing and providing services for people with disabilities. You have the flexibility to create policies and practices that best ft your existing work culture and business practices, as long as they meet the needs of people with disabilities.

These policies don’t have to be written down, but it’s essential that your policy is clearly defined and communicated to staff, even if it’s not on paper. You must have policies on the accessibility of:

  • Customer service
  • Information and communications
  • Employment
  • Design of public spaces

The law allows for flexibility in how you meet the requirements of the standards as long as they meet the needs of people with disabilities.

Wondering what your next steps are to ensure that your business is accessible? A good starting point is the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA).

The AODA aims to identify, remove and prevent barriers for Ontarians with disabilities, with a goal of making Ontario fully accessible by 2025. The Standards under the Act contain the rules businesses and organizations must follow to identify, prevent and remove barriers for people with disabilities. The report can be accessed at: www.ontario.ca/accessibility.

For more information check out the Ontario Chamber of Commerce Enabling Change webinars by here.

If you are interested in hiring persons with disabilities visit: discoverability.network.

Previous

Accessibility Creates Opportunities for Everyone

Next

Ensuring Metrolinx Staff Are Always Fit for Duty

Follow Us

Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Youtube

Site Nav

  • Advocacy
  • Events
  • Programs
  • Membership
  • News
  • About
  • Contact

Receive Updates

Subscribe to our mailing list and stay up to date on everything with the Ontario Chamber of Commerce

Subscribe Now
PREMIER MEMBERS
A purple and green logo on a black background. Atkins reals logo on a white background. A green logo on a black background. A teal color with a white background. A blue and green logo with a cross in the middle. A blue bell logo on a white background. Rbc bank of canada logo. A blue and white logo with a black background. A blue and gray logo with a blue and gray background. Rr america logo on a black background. The cn logo on a black background. A logo with a red, orange, and yellow background. Mccarthy tetrault logo on an orange background. The meridian logo on a black background. A black and white photo of a man and a woman. A blue and red logo with the word mcdonald's. Bruce power innovation at work logo. A red and black logo on a black background. The logo for the ontario medical association. The power corporation of canada logo. The lily logo on a black background. A colorful logo with the word mcdonald's on it. A black and yellow logo with a yellow arrow. Waste Connections of Canada A blue logo with the word cogeco on it. A blue and orange logo with the number 5 on it. The canadian maple leaf logo on a black background. A logo with an orange and black background. A logo with a red and gray background. The university of cleveland college of business and economics logo. The logo for luna feel the power. A red and black logo on a black background. The logo for strategim. Tln media group logo. 404 etr express rail route logo. The logo for accerta on a black background. The logo for rothman, beshish & hedges, inc. The logo for astrezeca. Biomarin logo on a black background. A logo with the letter a on it. The logo for the board of canadian registered safety professionals. A blue and white logo with a blue background. Magna logo on a black background. Pfizer logo Canada life logo on a black background. Northbridge insurance logo on a black background. A green logo with the word mnp. Tc energy logo on a white background. Destination northern ontario logo. The interac logo with a hand on it. A thin red line on a black background. The cadillac fairview logo. Meta logo. Beer canada logo on a white background. The logo for port montreal. The federation of rental housing providers of ontario logo. The logo for bennett jones. Agnico eagle logo. Leger 360

Ontario Chamber of Commerce © 2025 | Privacy Policy | Service Standard | Employment Opportunities
The OCC is an accredited chamber of commerce