Accessibility is premised on ensuring that practices, activities, functions and environments are meaningful, and usable for as many people as possible. It is about identifying and responding to conditions of in-access, about providing equitable opportunities and options, regardless of a person’s abilities or circumstances. In education, accessibility is a core component in being intentional about inclusion for persons with disabilities.Â
The Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA), the Education Act, Ontario Human Rights Code, and the Ontario Building Code are some of the laws in Ontario that are vital to Ë¿¹ÏÊÓƵ’s commitment to maximum accessibility for staff, students and other members of the Ë¿¹ÏÊÓƵ community.
The AODA seeks to ensure that all Ontarians have fair and equitable access to programs and services and to improve opportunities for persons with disabilities. It does this by setting accessibility standards that Ë¿¹ÏÊÓƵ must meet. By removing barriers that prevent persons with disabilities from fully participating in their community lives, the ultimate goal of the AODA is to create a universally accessible and inclusive society.
The Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA)
The government of Ontario passed the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act in 2005 with the goal of making Ontario accessible by 2025. The AODA was created in response to a history of barriers and discrimination against people with disabilities in Ontario, and with the following purpose:
"To benefit all Ontarians by developing, implementing and enforcing accessibility standards in order to achieve accessibility for Ontarians with disabilities with respect to goods, services, facilities, accommodation, employment, buildings, structures and premises on or before January 1, 2025."
The AODA applies to all private and public sector organizations, including all school boards. The accessibility standards under the AODA, along with some general requirements, are collectively known as the Integrated Accessibility Standards Regulation (IASR).