Accessibility Toolkit

This toolkit is designed to support you in turning the Ontario government's Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA) legislation, that directs university policy and library procedures, into everyday practices in your library or department.

The AODA's five standards give concrete directions for making the province's services and resources accessible. All of our accessibility initiatives should support the AODA's four principles:

1. Dignity — self-respect and the respect of others
2. Independence — do things without unnecessary help from others
3. Integration — same service, same way
4. Equal Opportunity — same options, chances and benefits

Integrated Accessibility Standards Regulation

The AODA's five standards are consolidated within the Integrated Accessibility Standards Regulation (IASR).

The IASR's first section includes General requirements for all standards. The five standards include:

• Information and Communications
• Employment
• Transportation
• Design of Public Spaces
• Customer Service

What is disability?

Disability is more than just physical and visible. A 2017 survey on disabilities conducted by Statistics Canada showed that among youth, mental health and learning disabilities are the most common types of disabilities. 

The AODA embraces a broadened definition of disability.

Canadian Survey on Disability, 2017. 2018. In The Daily. Retrieved January 2, 2020, from www150.statcan.gc.ca/n1/daily-quotidien/181128/dq181128a-eng.htm

Resources

• Accessibility Laws: Information and resources from the Ontario Ministry for Seniors and Accessibility, including accessibility in Ontario: what you need to know, and promoting accessibility compliance
• Accessibility Information Toolkit for Libraries: from the Ontario Council of University Libraries (OCUL)
• Accessible Campus: Resources from Council of Ontario Universities (COU)
• University of Waterloo Multi-year Accessibility Plan
• Understanding Accessibility: from the COU Accessible Campus website
• The Ontario Human Rights Code: The AODA uses the definition of 'disability' found in the code, which has provided equal rights and opportunities and freedom from discrimination for persons with disabilities since 1962. Resources include:
  • Disability and human rights (includes sections on duty to accommodate and accommodation responsibilities)
  • Working Together: the Ontario Human Rights Code and the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act
  • Human Rights eLearning series