The next AODA reporting deadline is just around the corner. For organizations with 20 or more employees, an AODA compliance report must be filed.
Employers should be aware that the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities (AODA) next compliance reporting deadline is just around the corner. For organizations with 20 or more employees, you are required by law to file an AODA compliance report.
The Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (“AODA”) requires organizations that have one or more employees in Ontario to comply with standards. These standards require organizations to establish policies and procedures to assist people with disabilities in five areas:
- Customer service
- Employment
- Design of public spaces
- Information and communication
- Public transportation
Over the years, requirements under these standards have begun progressing, and we have now reached a point where all organizations, big or small, public or private, are expected to be compliant.
The government monitors AODA compliance through a self-reporting system. Your business or organization must complete and file the AODA Compliance report by December 31, 2017.
Failure to file a report, can result in a range of penalties from administrative penalties to prosecutions or fines.
To fill out your organizations AODA compliance report form, please visit www.ontario.ca/page/completing-your-accessibility-compliance-report to download, complete and submit the report. To complete the forms, you will need the following information:
- Nine-digit Business number (BN9), that identifies your organization with the Canada Revenue Agency (found on federal and provincial tax returns). In the rare case that an organization doesn’t have a Business number (BN9), an AODA identifier (assigned by the Accessibility Directorate of Ontario) would be used in its place.
- The category of your organization.
- The number of employees within your organization.
- A person of authority to bind your organization. This can be a director, senior officer etc. This person must have the authority to certify that your organizations accessibility compliance report is accurate and complete.
If you have one or more companies, you may file for up to 20 at once. You will need each company’s business number (BN9) or AODA identifier, the number of employees and address. All companies that are filing under the same organization category (e.g. Business/Non-Profit), number of employee’s range, certifier, and all answers to the AODA compliance report must be the same. If there are answers that are not the same, you will need to complete a separate form for each company.
The questions on the AODA compliance form are a series of yes or no questions. There is an additional space below each question if you need to add comments. Each question has a link to the regulation section that is related to that question. If you need help to understand, or resources to help your organization comply with the requirements, you may find these links helpful.
A person of authority in the organization should always review the information being submitted. When this is completed, you may submit your report. It is important to be honest and accurate when completing the report. The Accessibility Directorate of Ontario may choose to audit your organization to verify information provided. A confirmation number and an accessible copy of your organization’s accessibility report will be emailed to you .
By following these steps, and completing your AODA accessibility report, you will be one step closer to helping Ontario become fully accessible.
For more information please visit www.ontario.ca/page/accessibility-laws.
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