For a list of steps your church needs to take to comply with the AODA, see our page Complying with the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA).
AODA Resources for Churches:
Accessibility requirements for organizations provides requirements and deadlines for organizations to implement the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA) including what is required and how to implement it. Requirements include adoption of a Customer Service Standards Policy; a sample policy is attached. Applicable to the majority of churches, this list describes all the requirements of the AODA for organizations with 1 to 19 employees.
Access Forward is a helpful training Developed by Learnography (formerly known as Curriculum Services Canada) to help people and organizations comply with the Customer Service Standard of the AODA. At 20 minutes, it could be used to train church volunteers and leadership. Breaking Down Barriers is a slide presentation produced by Christian Horizons which also can be used in training volunteers. This presentation is based on a free booklet, Breaking Down Barriers, that was created by Reena.
The government of Ontario has several resources that churches may find helpful:
- Review your accessibility requirements at ontario.ca/accessibility.
- File your accessibility compliance report at ontario.ca/AccessibilityReport – it’s easy!
- Access-Ability: A practical handbook on accessible web design is aimed at educating graphic design and web design professionals to effectively deliver accessible web design solutions that meet AODA requirements.
Ontario Human Rights Code and the AODA describes rights and responsibilities under the Code and the AODA and how they affect work, services and housing.
Thanks to the work of the Safe Church Committee at Community CRC of Kitchener we provide these resources to you (attached).
- Participant Feedback Form solicits input from participants in church programming about accessibility of programs and services.
- AODA Service Standard Quiz can be used to make sure that church staff understand the AODA Customer Service Standard.
- Church Accessibility Seminar trains staff and volunteers in making the church accessible and welcoming.
- Disruption of Service Notification can be used to alert those involved in church programs of disruptions in accessibility.
