Overview
The information below discusses who the Information and Communications Standard applies to and the requirements of the Standard.
Who the Standard Applies to
The Standard must be followed by:
- the Ontario Government and Legislative Assembly
- all designated public sector organizations, which include municipalities, universities, colleges, hospitals, school boards and public transportation organizations
- private businesses and not-for-profit organizations that have one or more employees in Ontario
Required Practices
Under the Standard, organizations must provide information and communications about goods, services, or facilities offered to customers, clients, and others in an accessible manner to people with disabilities, when requested.
When it’s not possible to convert requested material, organizations must provide the individual making the request with the following:
- An explanation as to why the information or communications are unconvertible, and
- A summary of the information or communications.
Emergency Procedures, Plans for Public Safety Information
If the organization provides emergency procedures, plans, or public safety information to the public, it must must provide this information in an accessible format, on request.
Feedback
If the organization has feedback processes in place, it must make these processes accessible.
Educational and Training Institutions
The following educational and training institutions must meet additional requirements:
- Organizations that are governed by the Education Act or the Ontario Career Colleges Act, 2005.
- Organizations that offer all or part of a post-secondary program leading to a degree pursuant to a consent granted under the Post-secondary Education Choice and Excellence Act, 2000.
- Designated public sector organizations (colleges and universities) described in paragraph 3 or 4 of Schedule 1 of the Integrated Accessibility Standards Regulation.
- Public or private organizations that provide courses or programs or both that result in the acquisition by students of a diploma or certificate named by the Minister of Education under paragraph 1 of subsection 8 (1) of the Education Act. A private school within the meaning of the Education Act.
If a student informs the organization of a need due to a disability, the organization must:
- Provide learning resources or material in an accessible format that takes into account their accessibility needs.
- Provide student records and program information in an accessible format that takes into account their accessibility needs.
Additionally, these institutions must:
- Provide educators with accessibility awareness training related to accessible course delivery and instruction.
- Keep records of training provided, including the dates it was provided and number of individuals trained.
Where available, libraries of educational or training institutions must provide an accessible or conversion-ready format of print, digital, or multimedia resources or materials, on request.
Producers of Educational or Training Material
Producers of educational or training textbooks and print-based learning resources who supply educational and training institutions must provide accessible or conversion-ready versions, when requested.
Public Libraries
Public libraries must:
- Provide or arrange to provide accessible materials where they exist, when requested.
- Make information publicly available to inform people that materials can be provided in an accessible format, on request. This information needs to be accessible as well.