Workbook final

The AODA applies to every person or organization (public and private) in Ontario and it addresses all elements

of CRPD Article 9. In terms of education, it applies in particular to educational institutions and their libraries,

publishers of educational and training materials (e.g., textbooks), public libraries, etc.

Its Part III specifies how accessibility standards and the standard development Committees are to be

established, and how Committee members should work. The Committees need to publish periodical progress

reports and to review the standards at the latest after 5 years.

Its Part IV lays out how inspectors are appointed, that they can do inspections without warrant, their powers to

require documentation, assistance, to question, to use data, to bring special experts along. Part IV contains

further an obligation for everyone to cooperate, to not use force, to not obstruct; how a search warrant can be

issued.

Part V is related to Director’s orders and administrative penalties, i.e. the determination of applicable standard,

a compliance order and reporting requirements, administrative penalty, the enforcement of administrative

penalties via the Superior Court of Justice.

For appeals, Part VI lays out the establishment of one or more tribunals.

Part VII prescribes the establishment of Municipal Accessibility Advisory Committees (MAACs), obligatory for

those with a population of not less than 10,000.

The majority of the members of the MAACs should be persons with disabilities. The municipal council shall seek

advice from the Committee for construction, renovation or purchases of any structures.

Part VIII specifies how the

AODA

shall be administered, and how it advises the Minister.

Part IX regards incentive agreements and Part X is generic comprising the power of the Minister to regulate on a

long series of issues related to the AODA’s implementation.

10.

Implementation: A major feature of the AODA regime that was built into the standards was the idea of phased

or rolling implementation. The result is that, although there are five standards currently in effect, the

obligations under those regulations are only partially applicable at this time since they are gradually being

phased in – some not until 2021. Compliance dates for requirements vary according to sector and size of

organization. For each of the relevant obligations under the standards, the AODA model typically begins

implementation with the Ontario Government, then extends it to the public sector and finally to the private

sector, usually according to size. In terms of education and information, some of the significant AODA

requirements that were in place by 2013, included:

- Large educational or training institutions were required to provide accessible formats for learning resources,

student records and information, if notified of need, as well as to train educators on accessible instruction.

- Public libraries were obliged to provide access to existing accessible materials.

11.

Different institutions are involved in the implementation of accessibility standards. At the local level, Municipal

Accessibility Advisory Committees have been established, meanwhile at the provincial level, the Accessibility

Standards Advisory Council has been established. The Accessibility Directorate of Ontario, next to advising the

minister, fulfils an educational function and informs the different organisations as to their obligations. It also has