Resources for Federally Regulated Organizations

Guidelines and best practices by Employment and Social Development Canada

Languages: English, French

A guide to conducting consultations with disabled people, created by Employment and Social Development Canada for organizations regulated by the Accessible Canada Act. The guide includes links along the left side of the page to several parts including: background, key concepts, planning your consultation, follow-up, and annexes related to understanding disability, intersectional/cultural considerations, and inclusive language.

Guidelines and best practices by Employment and Social Development Canada

Languages: English, French

This collection of guidance documents created by Employment and Social Development Canada for organizations regulated under the Accessible Canada Act. It includes an introduction/overview of accessibility plans, key concepts, recommended first steps, required headings, recommended content and formatting, and recommendations for evaluation.

Resource by Justine Lindner for McCarthy Tétrault Law Firm

Languages: English, French

Evaluating the Accessible Canada Act, this article by Justine Lindner at McCarthy Tétrault Law Firm underscores specific requirements for entities that carry on broadcasting undertakings, Canadian carriers or telecommunications service providers, or in the transportation network. These requirements entail operational, administrative, and financial matters.

Templates and forms by Employment and Social Development Canada

Languages: English, French

This PDF document created by Employment and Social Development Canada would be useful to anyone involved in creating an accessibility plan. Although it is not a template in the sense that a user would just fill in the sections, it does provide:

• all the headings required
• suggested sub-headings
• the optional headings
• advice on how to complete each section.

Additionally, for regulated organizations in the communications, transportation or broadcasting sectors, the template provides information on the additional sections that are required.

Large print, Braille, MP3 (audio), e-text and DAISY formats are available on demand by ordering online or by calling 1 800 O-Canada (1-800-622-6232). If you use a teletypewriter (TTY), you can call 1-800-926-9105.

Case studies by Doris Rajan for Justice Canada

Languages: English, French

This document provides stories of barriers experienced by Indigenous, racialized, Black, 2SLGBTQI+ people.

This report was written by IRIS’ Doris Rajan for Justice Canada during the onset of the pandemic in 2020. The report focuses on experiences in Western Canada, including British Colombia, Alberta, Saskatchewan, and Manitoba.

Information is provided about the kinds of serious problems diverse people with disabilities experience. There are also details about the ways that people try to address these problems. In addition, the report looks at the impacts of these difficulties on the lives of diverse people with disabilities.

Thirty people with disabilities took part in the study which was conducted using interviews and through one focus group. A wide range of people with disabilities is represented in the group with a range of ages, and household income as well.

Of particular relevance to The Accessibility Exchange users are the focus on problems related to access to health, social and education services, problems with insurance companies, and employers.

This resource contains the discussion guide for the focus group.

Learn more by clicking on the following link

Guidelines and best practices by McCarthy Tétreault Law Firm

Languages: English, French

This 2019 article by the law firm McCarthy Tetrault provides an overview of the Accessible Canada Act.

This article also covers the major things federally regulated entities should know about this legislation. For example, there are potential fines of up to $250,000 per day if the Act is not followed. Four other pertinent aspects of the Act are highlighted.

Learn more by clicking on the following link

Practical guides and how tos by Government of Ontario

Languages: English, French

As the first province in Canada to have the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act, Ontario has already given considerable thought to creating Accessibility Plans and policies. This webpage is worth reviewing before developing your own accessibility plans.

This provincial government resource gives the following step process:

Step 1: Create your accessibility policies

Step 2: Create your multi-year plan

Step 3: Review and update your policies and plans

There is also a section on common barriers and solutions.

Learn more by clicking on the following link

Guidelines and best practices by The Canadian Association of the Deaf

Languages: English, French

The Canadian Association of the Deaf provides this overview of terminology. There are many terms and understanding the differences is important. These terms include:

deaf

Deaf (with capital D)

deafened (Also known as late-deafened)

hard of hearing

hearing impaired

person who is deaf

manual deaf, Signing deaf

oral deaf

deaf-mute

Deaf-plus

Check out this resource to ensure you are using the right terminology.