The Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act, 2005 (AODA) is proactive legislation that calls for Standards in Accessibility intended to make Ontario accessible by the year 2025. Under this legislation the following Standards were developed:

• Accessible Customer Service
• Accessible Information and Communication
• Accessibility in Employment
• Accessible Transportation
• Accessible Built Environment

Ontario’s four trustee/school board associations recognized the importance of representing the school board sector when the government developed standards for implementing the AODA. Through OPSBA, OESC was represented on all of the committees charged with developing the standards listed above.

In 2011, Accessible Information and Communication, Employment, Transportation and Customer Services Standards were incorporated in an Integrated Accessibility Standards Regulation (IASR), which took effect in 2011. In December 2012, the IASR was expanded to include accessibility standards for the Design of Public Spaces. These standards were previously included in the Accessible Built Environment Standards.

To assist school boards and school authorities with implementing the various regulatory requirements under the AODA, the school board/trustee associations, as well as the Accessibility Directorate of Ontario and the Ontario Student Trustees’ Association (OSTA-AECO), partnered to develop the video resources and training modules indicated below.

Video Resource

By Any Measure – a video showcasing successful student and staff-led initiatives that are making accessibility integral to school culture in Ontario. This video is being used across the province to promote accessibility awareness and inspire students to take part in Ontario’s commitment to being fully accessible by 2025.

Modules

“How May I Help You?” – a training module to support school boards and authorities comply with the Integrated Accessibility Standards Regulation (IASR)

The TeachAble Project – a comprehensive website, enlivened with videos featuring staff and students from many Ontario schools, designed to support boards with incorporating concepts of accessibility in the learning and teaching environment.