From the CCRW web page -

On February 18, 2009, the Ontario government released the proposed employment accessibility standard for a public review period. A standards development committee, composed of representatives from the disability and business communities, developed the proposed standard.

The goal of the proposed standard is to help employers create equal employment opportunities for people with disabilities. The proposed standard:

• sets out specific requirements for the recruitment, retention and accommodation of people with disabilities, and
• applies to all organizations in Ontario with at least one employee.

Everyone in Ontario can:

• review the proposed standard, and
• submit comments.

The committee will use the feedback received during the review period to shape the final proposed standard before submitting it to the government for consideration as law.

How to submit your comments

The standards development committee is interested in hearing your responses to these questions:

How will the proposed standard help to improve accessibility for people with disabilities?
What do you like or dislike about the proposed standard?
Is the proposed standard clear and understandable?
What are your views about the scope and application of the proposed standard?
What will be some of the potential positive or negative effects on your organization?
Are the requirements of the proposed standard appropriate in terms of scope, application, technical feasibility and timelines for implementation?
Please email your feedback by April 15, 2009 May 22, 2009 to publicreview@ontario.ca

Submissions are requested electronically in a word processing document, such as MS Word.

If you require an alternate format or method to provide your feedback, please contact:

Accessibility Directorate of Ontario
Outreach and Compliance Branch
Ministry of Community and Social Services
777 Bay Street, Suite 601
Toronto ON Canada
M7A 2J4
1-888-482-4317
TTY: 416-326-0148 or 1-888-335-6611 (toll-free in Ontario)
Fax: 416-326-9725

We will also be conducting public consultation sessions across the province. If you are interested in attending, please contact Hope Fridal at:

1-888-482-4317, or public.review@oliverwyman.com

Ontario is the first jurisdiction in Canada to develop province-wide, enforceable accessibility standards. The proposed employment accessibility standard is the fourth standard to be released for public review. The Accessibility Standards for Customer Service, Ontario Regulation 429/07 is the first standard to become law. It came into force on January 1, 2008.

For more information, please go to Ministry of Community and Social Services, http://www.mcss.gov.on.ca/mcss/english/pillars/accessibilityOntario/accesson/business/employment/