be opportunities for lawyers, people with disabilities and the general public to
provide input.
AccessON is a government website that provides information about the AODA
and Accessibility Standards. Its focus is to promote compliance with the AODA
by providing information, tools and resources to public and private sector
organizations. AccessON can be found at:
http://www.mcss.gov.on.ca/en/mcss/programs/accessibility/
III. Customer Service Standard
The Customer Service Standard sets out requirements for removing and
preventing barriers in the provision of services to people with disabilities.
The Standard applies to the private and public sectors, and sets out timelines for
a phasing-in approach. In the private sector, every person or organization that
provides goods or services to the public or third parties and has at least one
employee in Ontario must comply with the Standard effective January 1, 2012.^13
This includes organizations that provide goods and services only to members of
the public who meet certain eligibility criteria, such as social assistance programs
or attendant care service providers. Providing goods or services to third parties
should be interpreted to include provision of services to other businesses,
government or other organizations, such as consulting services, manufacturing,
and training.^14
In the public sector, the following designated organizations were to have
complied with the Standard effective January 1, 2010:
- The Ontario Legislature;
(^13) Accessibility Standards for Customer Service, O Reg 429/07 at ss 1, 2.
(^14) Ministry of Economic Development, Trade and Employment, online:
http://www.mcss.gov.on.ca/en/mcss/programs/accessibility/customerService/.