Passed in 2005, the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act requires faculty associations with one or more employees to make every effort to insure their services are accessible to those with disabilities.
In addition accommodating their employees who have disabilities, faculty associations are responsible for providing accessible services to faculty association members who have disabilities.
Moreover, all employees and volunteers must be trained in how to make the services they provide accessible to those with disabilities, including: how to communicate with someone with a disability; how to interact with someone who is using an assistive device or who is accompanied by a support person; how to use equipment that facilitates accessibility; and what to do if a person with a disability is having difficulty accessing premises or services.
Faculty associations are responsible for:
- Providing accessible means of communication for those with disabilities
- Ensuring those with disabilities are able to use an assistive device
- Ensuring premises are accessible
- Allowing service animals on premises
- Allowing support persons on premises
- Providing notice of any disruption to accessible services
The principles to be followed are: dignity, equality of opportunity, independence, and integration with the services provided to those who do not have disabilities.
The requirements come into effect January 1, 2012.
This article originally appeared in the OCUFA Report. To receive stories like this every week in your inbox, please subscribe.