IASR

A key component of Ontario’s accessibility framework under the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act, 2005 (AODA). IASR establishes enforceable, province-wide accessibility standards across five major areas, requiring organizations to remove and prevent barriers for people with disabilities in accessing goods, services, employment, and information.

What is IASR?

The IASR is a regulation enacted in 2011 that consolidates multiple accessibility standards into one regulation. It outlines specific requirements and compliance timelines for organizations operating in Ontario, depending on their size and sector (public, private, or nonprofit). The goal of the IASR is to achieve a fully accessible Ontario by 2025.

Key Standards Within IASR

IASR encompasses five distinct accessibility standards:

• Information and Communications: Organizations must make information accessible to people with disabilities. This includes providing accessible formats upon request (e.g., large print, braille, or electronic formats) and ensuring websites and web content meet WCAG 2.0 Level AA standards.
• Employment: Requires accessible practices across the entire employment lifecycle—from recruitment and hiring to employee support, accommodation, and return-to-work processes.
• Transportation: Public transportation providers must offer accessible services, including buses with ramps, priority seating, and communication supports for schedules and delays.
• Design of Public Spaces: New or redeveloped outdoor public areas—such as sidewalks, parking lots, and recreational trails—must meet specific accessibility criteria to ensure barrier-free access.
• Customer Service (Previously Separate): Initially enacted as a standalone regulation (O. Reg. 429/07), this standard was incorporated into IASR in 2016. It requires organizations to provide accessible customer service and train staff on interacting with individuals who have disabilities.

Who Must Comply?

IASR applies to all organizations in Ontario with one or more employees, including:

• Businesses and nonprofit organizations
• Public sector institutions
• Educational and healthcare institutions
• Transportation providers

Compliance requirements vary depending on the organization’s size (e.g., 1–49 employees vs. 50+ employees) and sector, with larger organizations facing stricter and more extensive obligations.

Training and Policy Requirements

Under IASR, organizations must:

• Develop and maintain accessibility policies
• Create multi-year accessibility plans
• Provide training to employees and volunteers on the AODA and the Human Rights Code as it relates to people with disabilities.
• Make feedback processes accessibl.e
• File accessibility compliance reports (every three years for most organizations)

Penalties for Non-Compliance

Organizations that fail to meet IASR requirements may face financial penalties and public listing on Ontario’s “non-compliance” register. Continued non-compliance can also damage brand reputation and expose organizations to human rights claims.

Summary

IASR is a foundational regulation that integrates and enforces multiple accessibility standards under the AODA. It mandates that organizations take proactive steps to identify, remove, and prevent barriers for people with disabilities. With a firm deadline of 2025 to make Ontario fully accessible, IASR not only ensures legal compliance but also promotes inclusion and equal opportunity across all facets of public life.