Accessibility

The Accessibility of Ontarians with Disabilities Act, 2005 (AODA), is a law passed by the Ontario legislature that allows the government to develop specific standards of accessibility and to enforce them. The standards are made into laws called regulations, and they provide the details to help meet the goal of the AODA. The AODA is the foundation on which the standards are built.

The purpose of the accessibility standards is to move organizations in Ontario forward on accessibility. The standards will set requirements in a number of key areas and will be reviewed at least every five years. New requirements may be added. Ontario will move step by step towards accessibility that is widespread and commonplace. The goal of the Act is to make the Province of Ontario completely accessible by 2025.

Accessibility Standards

Businesses and organizations that provide goods and services to people in Ontario will have to meet certain accessibility standards in five important areas of our lives:

Currently, the Customer Service Standard is the only AODA standard to become law. The other four standards are in various stages of development.

The City of Barrie is committed to working towards being compliant with all of the standards under the AODA as they are introduced.

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How has the City of Barrie prepared to enhance Accessibility and be compliant with the with the Accessibility Standards for Customer Service?

The City of Barrie has developed an Accessible Customer Services policy (Download PDF).

The policy includes information on the following:

Providing good and services to people with disabilities
Communication
Use of service animals, support persons and assistive devices
Notice of temporary disruptions
Staff training on customer services
Accessibility of meetings
Feedback process
Format of city documents
Notice of availability of documents

City of Barrie employees, contractors and vendors are required to complete training which includes:

The purpose of the Act
How to interact with people with various disabilities
How to interact with people who use the assistance of a service animal or support person
How to use assistive devices available on the premises
What to do if a person with a disability is having difficulty accessing service
Details on the City of Barrie’s accessibly policy, procedures and practices

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What businesses have to do to comply with the Accessibility Standards for Customer Service?

To find out more on the requirements of businesses under the legislation and how to comply, please:

Visit: www.AccessON.ca/compliance
Call 1-866-515-2025, TTY: (416) 325-2408, TTY Toll Free: 1-800-268-7095
or Fax: (416) 325-3407

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Training required for City suppliers of goods and services

The legislation states that contractors, vendors, and individuals that the City of Barrie has contracted to provide goods or services must ensure that their employees are trained on providing accessible customer service. Training can be as simple as reading through the 'Understanding Accessible Customer Service Training Booklet' posted below.

Once contractors/vendors have trained their staff, they will be considered compliant by the City of Barrie after they have completed and returned the 'Accessibility Compliance Form' posted below.

Completed forms are to be sent to:

City of Barrie
Attention: K. Hickling
70 Collier Street, P. O. Box 400
Barrie, ON
L4M 4T5
Or faxed to 705-739-4233

Online resources:

'Understanding Accessible Customer Service' Training Booklet (Download PDF)
Accessibility Compliance Form (Download PDF)

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Feedback

The City of Barrie welcomes public input. It helps identify areas where changes need to be considered and ways in which we can improve the delivery of accessible goods and services. Feedback may be provided by telephone, in person, in writing or by e-mail.

City of Barrie
70 Collier Street (Box 400)
Barrie, Ontario
L4M 4T5

Phone: (705) 726-4242
Phone: (705) 792-7910 (TTY)

Email: cityinfo@barrie.ca

Download a printable version of our Feedback Form (Download PDF)

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