Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA)

The Act obliges organizations in the public and private sectors to remove and prevent barriers for people with disabilities in the following five areas:

• customer service
• information and communications
• transportation
• employment
• design of public spaces

The Integrated Accessibility Standards Regulation (IASR) harmonizes the customer service standards, which became law in 2008, with accessibility standards in the areas of information and communications, employment, transportation and the design of public spaces. Businesses and organizations are required to meet compliance deadlines beginning from 2011 to 2025.

The IASR contains specific requirements to ensure accessibility for persons with disabilities to programs, services, courses and facilities provided by educational and training institutions in Ontario, such as colleges.