Author Archive - Suzanne Cohen Share

Suzanne Cohen Share holds a master’s degree in Health Policy and Critical Disabilities, including disability law. Suzanne is a well-known cross-disability accessibility expert and consultant, a popular lecturer, trainer, researcher and author. She is the author of Accessibility Standards PolicyPro published by First Reference Inc. Suzanne is the proprietor of Access (SCS) Consulting Services. Read more

An education campaign about courtesy/priority seating signs on transportation vehicles

September 14, 2012 Suzanne Cohen Share Accessibility Standards, Human Resources, Human Rights, Standard for Transportation

In the Integrated Accessibility Standards Regulation, under the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act, there is the Standard for Transportation. Under this standard there is a section about courtesy seating in vehicles, specifically…

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Pretty hazards: the accessible built environment

July 17, 2012 Suzanne Cohen Share Accessibility Standards, Human Resources, Human Rights, Standard for the Built Environment

A photo of a beautifully designed stairway with an integrated accessibility ramp recently caught my eye. It is a fine example of a creative and attractive solution to a problem we are seeing more and more. Unfortunately, I think the stair is actually a hazard for anyone who uses it, not just persons with disabilities!

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Why website accessibility matters

June 20, 2012 Suzanne Cohen Share Accessibility Standards, Human Resources, Human Rights, Integrated Accessibility Regulation, Standard for Customer Service, Standard for Information and Communications

The Federal Court of Appeal has upheld a legally blind woman’s 2010 legal victory over the federal government, ordering the government to make its websites accessible to blind persons. It may not be a case under the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act, but it does show us how website accessibility matters and has an impact on promoting accessibility for persons with disabilities.

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AODA compliance: the good, the bad and the ugly

May 23, 2012 Suzanne Cohen Share Accessibility Standards, Human Resources, Human Rights, Integrated Accessibility Regulation, Standard for Customer Service, Standard for Employment, Standard for Information and Communications, Standard for the Built Environment, Standard for Transportation

Today’s post is all about hearing from you! Questions arise as to how organizations are dealing with the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act compliance requirements. I want to hear from you about the good, the bad and the ugly! Allow me to share your expertise or stories with the rest of the province. Of course, the idea is to help others meet compliance and use the lessons you’ve learned to encourage others. As for your bad ideas that turned ugly, organizations can really use that information to avoid similar pitfalls.

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We are not SHOUTING or SCREAMING! Font sizes and accessibility

April 23, 2012 Suzanne Cohen Share Accessibility Standards, Integrated Accessibility Regulation, Standard for Customer Service, Standard for Information and Communications

Recently I sent an email in a medium-large font to someone who thought I was shouting. The reply I received was disturbing. The person was offended and read the information as if I was angry…

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AODA: The one-step ramp conundrum

February 21, 2012 Suzanne Cohen Share Accessibility Standards, Human Resources, Human Rights, Standard for Customer Service, Standard for the Built Environment

Andrew Lawson recently introduced our readers to the StopGap one-step ramp project at www.stopgap.ca. The group offers businesses in Ontario a one-step accessibility ramp for free. Sounds great, right? Well, during my several years on Ontario’s accessible built environment standards committee, we addressed the issue of one-step ramps and members raised valid reasons not to assume this is a fix in all situations. So what is the conundrum?

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AODA: Accessible transportation compliance schedule

January 17, 2012 Suzanne Cohen Share Accessibility Standards, Human Resources, Human Rights, Standard for Transportation

As you probably know, the Transportation Standards under the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act will come into force over the next five years. The Government has released the accessible transportation compliance dates, and you can find them all below. Obligated transportation providers can keep this schedule as a quick reminder of present and future compliance deadlines.

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Attention AODA organizations: actions to complete by January 1, 2012

December 14, 2011 Suzanne Cohen Share Accessibility Standards, Health and Safety, Human Resources, Human Rights, Integrated Accessibility Regulation, Standard for Customer Service, Standard for Employment, Standard for Transportation, Training and Development

January 1, 2012, is the date to complete all actions required under the Accessibility Standards for Customer Service and emergency preparedness requirements in the Integrated Accessibility Standards. The good news is, if your organization is obligated to report, you do not have to file with the government until December 31, 2012.

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Accessibility is a global mandate

November 16, 2011 Suzanne Cohen Share Accessibility Standards, Human Resources, Human Rights

December 3 is the International Day of Persons with Disabilities. On this December 3, the global celebration has an appropriate theme, “Together for a better world for all: Including persons with disabilities in development”. Some people are unaware of a global mandate to achieve accessibility, and may feel isolated when their specific jurisdiction introduces new laws benefitting people with disabilities. Understanding we are all moving in the same direction, albeit using varying methods and timelines, is important when making decisions in your organization.

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AODA: Protect your organization through documentation

October 26, 2011 Suzanne Cohen Share Accessibility Standards, Human Resources, Human Rights, Integrated Accessibility Regulation, Standard for Customer Service

The Accessibility Standards for Customer Service require employers with 20 or more employees to document policies. The Integrated Accessibility Standards require employers to document policies and multi-year accessibility plans if they have 50 or more employees. So smaller organizations might breathe a sigh of relief knowing that they don’t have to document and keep track of their accessibility policies and plans under the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA).

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AODA: Who let the dogs out? Saying ‘yes’ to all service animals

September 28, 2011 Suzanne Cohen Share Accessibility Standards, Standard for Customer Service

You may have read the recent story about a blind rowing champ who was asked to leave the premises of an Esso gas station store. Victoria Nolan attempted to enter the premises with her guide dog when she was promptly told to leave the store. Ms. Nolan is not new to this problem, and she contacted the Toronto police who seemed to have extracted some kind of apology from the employee. An Esso spokesperson stated that the company tells retailers to allow service animals onto the premises. Apparently, there was a communication breakdown when instructing this employee about the topic of service animals.

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AODA administrative monetary penalties scheme – three strikes you’re out!

August 24, 2011 Suzanne Cohen Share Accessibility Standards, Integrated Accessibility Regulation

The Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA) allows for severe maximum monetary penalties for any violation to the Act. Details on how these administrative penalties work are found in the Integrated Accessibility Standards Regulation, which came into force July 1, 2011.

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AODA: Why do I have to notify the public when there is a disruption of services?

July 27, 2011 Suzanne Cohen Share Accessibility Standards, Standard for Customer Service

Generally, disruptions to all of your services, such as during a power outage or during a labour dispute, do not require this special notice. However, if the disruption has a significant impact on people with disabilities, you should provide notice of the disruption of service. In Ontario, under the Accessibility Standards for Customer Service, as of January 1, 2012, organizations are required to publicly notify customers of temporary disruptions of services or facilities or if they are expected to be temporarily unavailable in the near future, including the steps to take to access alternative methods.

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Service animals and people with disabilities – AODA best practices

June 22, 2011 Suzanne Cohen Share Accessibility Standards, Standard for Customer Service

In Ontario there is a regulation called the Accessibility Standard for Customer Service. One of the requirements of this regulation is that persons with disabilities are allowed to enter your organization’s public premises with a service animal. A person should be able to remain with the animal unless otherwise excluded by law. If the animal is…

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AODA: Inappropriate words can bite – the customer service standard

May 25, 2011 Suzanne Cohen Share Accessibility Standards, Standard for Customer Service

The Accessibility Standard for Customer Service Regulation obligates Ontario businesses and their employees to communicate with persons with disabilities in a manner that takes into account the person’s disability. Employers must train employees to interact and communicate with people that have various types of disabilities…

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