Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act, 2005 (AODA)

Summary

The Frontenac Children’s Aid Society is committed to ensuring that persons with disabilities are provided equal opportunities and standards of service in accordance with the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act, 2005 (AODA) by eliminating barriers and improving accessibility for persons with disabilities in a manner that respects dignity, independence, integration and equal opportunity.

The Frontenac Children’s Aid Society recognizes the diverse needs of persons within the communities we serve and will respond by providing services and facilities that are accessible to everyone.

What is the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act, 2005 (AODA)?

The Accessibility for 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 have been made into laws called regulations, and they provide the details to help meet the goal of AODA. The AODA is the foundation on which the standards are built. There are five accessibility standards, Customer Service, Information and Communications, Employment, Transportation and Built Environment. The purpose of the accessibility standards is to move organizations in Ontario forward on accessibility on or before January 1, 2025.

Customer Service Standard

The Accessibility Standards for Customer Service (Ontario Regulation 429/07) came into force on January 1, 2008. It is the first accessibility standard created under the authority of the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act, 2005 (AODA). All businesses or organizations that provide goods or services to the public or to other third parties and that have one or more employees in Ontario are legally required to comply with the requirements of the standard. Our Children’s Aid Society falls under this definition.

The Agency is required to train current staff, volunteers, foster parents, contractors, board members and any other people who interact with the public or other third parties on Frontenac CAS’ behalf on a number of topics as outlined in the Customer Service Standard by January 1, 2012 (the other accessibility standards mentioned above will be phased in through stages).

For further information about The Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act, 2005 (AODA), please contact Human Resources or the following websites:

• Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA, 2005): http://www.e-laws.gov.on.ca/html/statutes/english/elaws_statutes_05a11_e...
• Accessibility Standards for Customer Service, Ontario Regulation 429/07: http://209.167.40.96/doc.asp?unit=cust-serv-reg&doc=guide&lang=en
• Ministry of Community and Social Services: http://www.mcss.gov.on.ca/en/mcss/

Feedback Process

The Frontenac Children’s Aid Society recognizes the diverse needs of persons within the communities we serve and will respond by providing services and facilities that are accessible to everyone. The Agency recognizes that every person has the right to make a complaint, offer a suggestion or compliment on the way we provide services to people with disabilities. Everyone is invited to provide their feedback. All feedback is tracked to ensure appropriate follow up and reporting and is kept in strict confidence.

Feedback may be provided in any of the following methods:

• Telephone: (613) 542-7351
• Fax: (613) 542-4428
• Email: frontenac@frontcas.ca
• In Writing:
  Frontenac Children’s Aid Society
  Human Resources
  1479 John Counter Blvd.
  Kingston, ON K7M 7J3
• In person

A copy of the Accessible Customer Service Feedback Form is available for download here.

All feedback is directed to Human Resources. Human Resources will provide a response no later than fourteen (14) business days of receipt of such feedback in a format that takes into account any disability and outlines actions deemed appropriate.