• Establish written policies and practices on providing goods and services to people with disabilities
• Make reasonable efforts to see that policies and practices meet principles of independence, dignity, integration and equal opportunity
• Communicate with people in a way that takes account of their disabilities
• Train employees who interact with the public on the requirements of the ASCS
• And much more

• An overview of the AODA compliance framework
• Practical guidance in the form of policy and procedure templates, checklists and resources tailored to assist in understanding and meeting specific compliance requirements

• Cathy Bartolic – Executive Director, Ontario Farm Fresh Marketing Association will be presenting on ‘The Wacky World of Agri-Tourism’ and the ‘9 Secrets to Direct Marketing Success’

• Professor John Varty will be onsite with his tractor and sleeping cabin to discuss his documentary film about the state and condition of farming in Canada:  www.tractorcanada.com

• John Geddes – Owner, Planning Dynamics Inc. and author of “Succession Planning & The Family Business – A Road Full of Potholes or Paved with Gold” will be presenting on Succession Planning

• Renewable Energy Seminars will be offered by the Canadian Wind Energy Association, the Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada and the Canadian Solar Industry Association

• Beverly Leavitt – President/CEO, Canada East Dealers’ Assocation (CEEDA) will be presenting on the Occupational Health & Safety Act, an act with which Farmers in Ontario who employ 5 or more workers must comply 

• As well as a variety of seminars being offered by the Exhibitors of the 2012 Canadian International Farm Show!

 

Many of you know that CEEDA partnered with TwoGreySuits, an online full service HR provider a little over two years ago.  TwoGreySuits were very prominent at the 2010 Dealership Development Days as workshop presenters and expert panellists.  As part of the TwoGreySuits service, subscribers are provided with an electronic newsletter on a regular basis.  In this month’s newsletter, an upcoming workshop on Ontario’s AODA was prominently featured.  CEEDA has reproduced the information for you here because we’re simply not convinced our membership is as familiar with the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act....and the deadline for compliance is rapidly approaching.

Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA)

The Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act became law on June 13, 2005, placing new responsibilities on employers with the goal to make Ontario organizations more accessible. The act seeks to break down the barriers faced by persons with disabilities with the aim to make Ontario accessible by 2025.

Doesn’t the Ontario Human Rights Code cover persons with disabilities?

The Human Rights Code deals with individual discrimination, while the AODA’s mandate is to make Ontario accessible for persons with disabilities.

When is the deadline?

AODA legislation will be implemented in phases. Phase 1 – AODA Customer Service Standard came into force for public sector organizations on January 1, 2010. The deadline for the private and non-profit sectors is January 1, 2012.  Additional phases will be implemented with tiered deadlines and the ultimate aim to make Ontario accessible by 2025.

What are the phases?

The AODA includes standards which will be phased in as follows:

•customer service
•transportation,
•information and communications
•built environment, and
•employment.

What do organizations have to do?

Organizations will have to implement policies, practices and procedures to guide the provisioning of goods and services to persons with disabilities, including training staff, and volunteers. The policies, practices and procedures must comply with specific principles such as, but not limited to, respect and dignity.

What organizations have to comply?

Any organization in Ontario that has one or more employees must comply with the AODA standards. However private organizations with fewer than 20 employees do not need to prepare written documents. (Note that public sector organizations with one or more employees must meet all documentation and filing requirements). Organizations with 20 or more employees must also prepare and file annual accessibility reports with the government.

Isn’t it just retail stores or restaurants that have to comply with the AODA?

The legislation applies to Business to Consumer and Business to Business organizations.  It applies to public, private and not-for-profit sectors. It covers any organization that provides goods and services to customers whether individual or not, and has one or more employees, as noted in the previous section.

What if we don’t do anything?

It depends on if you prefer the carrot or the stick.

The Carrot: It makes good business sense to comply because according to the Royal Bank of Canada, persons with disabilities have an estimated spending power of about $25 billion each year in Canada. It good business to make your products and services accessible.

The Stick: For individuals, the fines up to $50,000 for each day that the requirements have not been met. For corporations, the fines are up to $100,000 for each day that the requirements have not been met.

It makes sense to be proactive and learn what you need to do to meet the deadlines.

AODA – Customer Service Standard Workshop

Reduce the risk of fines and learn how to implement AODA Customer Service Standard in your workplace, quickly and cost effectively.

In partnership with Royce & Associates, Two Grey Suits is pleased to provide our clients with access to a full day AODA – Customer Service Standards Workshop. You’ll benefit from an in-depth educational session and an afternoon working session.  To learn more about the AODA workshop, please contact joanne@royceassociates.com or call 905-847-2194.

To become a TwoGreySuits subscriber or to learn more about the program, please contact Bev at the CEEDA office (905) 841-6888.

    CEEDA Safety Talks 2012 Topics