Canada: New Employer Compliance Obligations under the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act, 2005 Take Effect January 1, 2016

A number of employment requirements set forth under the Integrated Accessibility Standards (“IAS”) will become effective on January 1, 2016. This will be the latest phase of the staggered implementation of the IAS regulations that were enacted under the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act, 2005 (the “AODA”). Through the AODA, Ontario has enacted laws and standards to improve accessibility for people with disabilities, with the stated goal of having the province be fully accessible for people with disabilities by 2025. The IAS requirements – which are phased based on the size and type of the organization – can help Ontario employers make accessibility a regular part of recruiting, hiring, and supporting employees with disabilities.