The document presents an overview of accessibility standards in Ontario, focusing on the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA) and its implications for various sectors including community gardens and public spaces. It outlines the requirements for organizations to improve accessibility in customer service, employment practices, information and communication, and the design of public spaces, among others. The document also provides resources and timelines for compliance with the AODA, highlighting the necessity of making public areas accessible for individuals with disabilities.

1. Accessibility Directorate of Ontario
Ministry of Economic Development, Employment and Infrastructure
Towards an
Accessible Ontario
Sustain Ontario
March 11, 2015

2. Presentation Overview
2
• Overview of the Accessibility for Ontarians with
Disabilities Act (AODA)
• Impact of AODA on community gardens
• Design of Public Spaces (DOPS)
• Helpful resources
• Q&A

3. How can I
help you? Customer Service is about influencing attitudes and behaviours.
Ontario Today
Five Accessibility Standards
Design of Public Spaces is about making public spaces more accessible.
Employment is about making accessibility a regular part of recruiting, hiring
and supporting employees with disabilities.
Information and communications is about helping people with disabilities
access information and communications that many of us rely on every day.
Transportation is about making it easier for everyone to travel in Ontario.
Integrated Accessibility Standards Regulation

4. Who is covered by the IASR?
Organizations in Ontario
• One or more employees
• Provide goods, services or
facilities:
– directly to the public, or
– to other businesses or
organizations
4
Government
Broader Public Sector
Business
Non-profit organizations

5. Impact on Community Gardens
Customer Service
• Customer service policy on how you will provide goods or services to people
with disabilities
• Train staff on your customer service policies
• Provide accessible feedback process
Information and Communication
• Provide information in an accessible way
• Make new websites and new web content accessible
Employment Standard
• Accessible hiring and recruitment process
• Training employees
• Provide employees with disabilities customized emergency information

6. Design of Public spaces
• Accessible parking
• Exterior paths of travel
• Outdoor public-use eating areas
• Outdoor play spaces
• Recreational trails and beach access routes
• Service-related elements
• Maintenance
Impact on Community Gardens

7. 7
2015 Accessibility Requirements
You have new requirements this year
Consider accessibility
when purchasing or
designing self-service
kiosks
Make your surveys,
comment cards or other
feedback processes
accessible upon request
If your organization has
20-49 employees:
If your organization has
50+ employees:
Create accessibility policies
and tell your employees and
customers about them
Train your staff on Ontario’s
accessibility laws

8. 8
2016 Accessibility Requirements
Make your surveys,
comment cards or other
feedback processes
accessible upon request
Make your employment
practices more accessible
If your organization has
20-49 employees:
If your organization has
50+ employees:
Train your staff on Ontario’s
accessibility laws
Make your public
information accessible upon
request

9. 9
2017 Accessibility Requirements
Make public information
accessible upon request
Make new or redeveloped
public spaces accessible
Make employment practices
more accessible
Maintain accessible
elements of your public
spaces
File an Accessibility Compliance Report
If your organization has
20-49 employees:
If your organization has
50+ employees:

10. What are the timelines?
The AODA Wizard
• Timelines vary, depending on:
– Sector
– Size
– Standard
• Answer a few questions
• Get a personalized summary of what
you have to do, by when
• Free and user-friendly
• ontario.ca/AccessON
10

11. Accessibility Standard for the
Design of Public Spaces
Areas covered
• Accessible parking
• Exterior paths of travel
• Service-related elements
• Outdoor public-use eating areas
• Maintenance
• Recreational trails and beach access
routes
• Outdoor play spaces
11

12. Accessibility Standard for the
Design of Public Spaces
Exterior paths of travel
• Sidewalks and walkways that link us between places to work, travel, shop
and play
• Includes requirements for:
• Ramps
• Stairs
• Curb ramps
• Depressed curbs
• Accessible pedestrian signals
• Rest areas
12

13. Accessibility Standard for the
Design of Public Spaces
Outdoor public-use eating areas
13
People with disabilities will be able to use accessible tables in a variety
of public spaces, such as:
• hospitals
• university campuses
• parks
Requirements address:
• number of tables
• design of eating areas
• surface area

14. Accessibility Standard for the
Design of Public Spaces
Recreational trails
14
• Public pedestrian trails intended for recreational and leisure purposes
• Does not apply to certain types, like wilderness trails, backcountry trails
and portage routes

15. Accessibility Standard for the
Design of Public Spaces
Maintenance
Document routine
maintenance procedures
for accessibility features,
such as:
• stairs
• sidewalks
• trails
15

16. 16
• On-street accessible
parking
• Rest areas on exterior
paths of travel
• Recreational trails
• Outdoor play spaces
Accessibility Standard for the
Design of Public Spaces
Consultation

17. Ontario Building Code
Amendments
• Amendments to Ontario Building Code came into effect January 1, 2015,
incorporating enhanced accessibility requirements
• Applies to most new construction and extensive renovations
• Does not include residential housing, with the exception of smoke alarm
requirements
• Existing buildings, where no work is planned, are not affected
• Amended requirements cover a range of areas including updated
requirements for barrier-free washrooms, power door operators,
elevators, visual fire alarms and accessible or adaptable seating in public
assembly buildings such as theatres, lectures halls and places of worship
17

18. Resources to Help You

19. Resources to help you
Feedback Processes, Websites
• Steps to consider
• Tips and examples
• Overview of web
accessibility standards
• Best practices and tips

20. Resources to help you
Training
www.AccessForward.ca
• Multiple formats
• Interactive web-based video and audio
format
• Condensed booklet version
Working Together
• For all sectors
• Completes the training requirements

21. 21
DOPS Resources
GAATES Illustrated
Technical Guide to
the Accessibility
Standard for the
Design of Public
Spaces
Ontario Building Code
and new accessibility
amendments
Design
guidebook for
the recreation
and parks
sector.

22. DOPS: Policy Guidelines
• Available @
ontario.ca/AccessON
22

23. 23
Accessibility Standard for the
Design of Public Spaces
Resources to help you comply
Step by step guidance on:
• designing accessible
public engagement
processes
• organizing and running
meetings of all sizes that
are accessible to all
participants

24. 24
For more information...
AODA Contact Centre (ServiceOntario)
Toll-Free: 1-866-515-2025
TTY: 416-325-3408 / 1-800-268-7095
Fax: 416-325-3407
@ONAccessibilityFacebook.com/AccessON AccessOntario
ontario.ca/AccessON