Accessibility Standards PolicyPro

Integrating the psychological health and safety standard into existing organizational policies and processes

March 4, 2013 Michele Glassford Accessibility Standards, Employee Relations, Employment/Labour Standards, Health and Safety, HR Policies and Procedures, Human Resources, Human Rights, Payroll, Pensions and Benefits, Recruiting and Hiring, Standard for Employment, Training and Development, Union Relations, Wages and Compensation

On January 16, 2013, the Standards Council of Canada (CSA) published a new national standard dealing with psychological health and safety in the workplace. Although not a mandatory standard at this time, it is foreseeable that legislators, health and safety officers and inspectors, adjudicators and tribunals will be influenced by the standard when dealing with psychological and mental health issues in the workplace. In addition, such standards may be absorbed into the employer’s general duty to protect workers from harm in the workplace, which exists in all jurisdictions in Canada. Employers should also scrutinize their workplace operations, policies, procedures and processes under the auspices of the psychological health and safety system recommended in the standard.

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Happy 2014! Well, it will be if you start preparing your multi-year accessibility plan under the AODA now

January 24, 2013 Adam Gorley Accessibility Standards, HR Policies and Procedures, Human Resources, Human Rights, Integrated Accessibility Regulation, Standard for Employment, Standard for Information and Communications, Standard for Transportation

Businesses know as well as people how quickly a new year can arrive—along with the new obligations that go along with it. In this case, I’m talking about the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act and multi-year accessibility plans to meet the requirements of the Integrated Accessibility Standards Regulation. Large organizations—those with 50 or more employees—must comply by 2014.

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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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Accessibility compliance: is accommodation enough?

January 24, 2012 Andrew Lawson Accessibility Standards, Human Resources, Human Rights, Recruiting and Hiring, Standard for Customer Service

I am going to tell you a story that will test your knowledge of your current legal responsibilities under the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act and the Ontario Human Rights Code. For those readers who pass the test, congratulations, you are providing all your customers with the respect they deserve and have sufficient knowledge to insulate your organization from legal liability. For those of you who don’t pass, well, we’ll give you another chance and point you in the direction of some helpful resources to help you get on track!

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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 standards compliance seminar

October 27, 2011 Adam Gorley Accessibility Standards, Conferences, Integrated Accessibility Regulation, Standard for Customer Service

First Reference and Stringer Brisbin Humphrey are presenting a half-day seminar on November 9, 2011, which will provide an overview of the AODA compliance framework focusing on practical guidance in the form of templates, checklists and resources tailored to assist you in understanding and meeting the specific requirements that are applicable to your organization, whether it be a public, private or non-profit enterprise.

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