Effective Accessibility Consulting Links Page

Links

Valuable Links Regarding Accessibility Standards and Best Practices:

Ministry of Community and Social Services - About the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act, 2005 http://www.mcss.gov.on.ca/en/mcss/programs/accessibility/understanding_accessibility/aoda.aspx
AODA: Customer Service Compliance Resources:
www.AccessOn.ca/compliance
E-Law Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act, 2005 (AODA) To obtain a copy of the law:
http://www.e-laws.gov.on.ca/html/statutes/english/elaws_statutes_05a11_e.htm
Canadian Standards Association: Accessible Design for the Built Environment (B651-04) - explains how to make buildings accessible and safe for people with disabilities; Customer Service Standard for People with Disabilities (B480-02) - explains how organizations can provide customer service to people with disabilities equivalent to the quality of service they provide everyone else; Design for Aging (B659-01) - provides principles, guidelines and tools for designing products and providing service for people whose abilities are affected by aging:
www.csa.ca
Profile of Disability Children in Canada, 2006:
http://www.statcan.gc.ca/pub/89-628-x/2007002/4125020-eng.htm
Profile of Disability among Adults in Canada, 2006:
http://www.statcan.gc.ca/pub/89-628-x/2007002/4183079-eng.htm
Assistive Devices Industry Office: provides information and tools to help businesses and consumers use the latest in assistive devices and technology for people with disabilities:
www.at-links.gc.ca
Accessible Workplaces: Barrier-Free Employers from the Canadian Human Rights Commission is a practical online guide to accommodating people with disabilities on the job:
www.chrc-ccdp.ca. Click on "Publications" then on "Publications A-Z" and scroll down the list until you find "Barrier-Free Employers".
Employment Equity:
http://laws-lois.justice.gc.ca/eng/acts/E-5.401/page-3.html#h-6
Appropriate Language: A Way with Words and Images is a helpful publication which suggests the best and most appropriate words and terms to use concerning people with disabilities:
www.sdc.gc.ca. Click on "Publications" on the left menu.
Technology (Hearing Loss): Sinclair Nicholson and Associates (SNA) has been providing technology, analysis, and research to organizations since 1994 on the issue of hearing loss in the workplace:
www.snaconsulting.ca
Technology (Computers): Special Needs Computer Solutions, Inc. provides assistive technology solutions - especially for people with low vision and people who are blind:
www.SpecialNeedsComputers.ca

Financial Assistance for Businesses and Organizations:

A List of Financial Assistance Available for Businesses:

Social Assistance in Ontario
http://www.mcss.gov.on.ca/en/mcss/programs/social/index.aspx
Enabling Change Partnership Program - a Provincial Government program that will partner with organizations that have the vision, leadership and commitment to improve accessibility by providin funding for projects that will significantly improve accessibility across industries or sectors. The Accessibility Directorate of the Ministry of Community and Social Services administers the program.
http://www.mcss.gov.on.ca/en/mcss/programs/accessibility/partnerships/EnablingChange/index.aspx
Enabling Accessibility Fund -
- a Federal Government program will enable businesses to complete small projects which qualify for up to $50,000. Deadline for submissions is September 23, 2011 for applications for funding. Please visit Human Resources and Social Development Canada's website if you would like further details and application forms.
  http://www.hrsdc.gc.ca/eng/disability_issues/eaf/cfp/index.shtml