1 in 7 Canadians (3.8 million) live with a disability
1 in 5 Americans (56.7 million) live with a disability
90% of all disabilities are not physical (not visible)
As a result, there are accessibility laws in Canada and United States to minimize barriers which go beyond physical requirements, and to maximize inclusion through education, accessible information and communication.
Canada - AODA Compliance
[+] 1. Who must comply with AODA law?
1. If you are a business with one or more employees (including Non-Profits)
2. If you are a business which provides goods or services directly to the public or to other organizations
Full-time, part-time, consultants, volunteers, and contract staff must complete mandatory customer service training to properly accommodate Ontarians who live with visible (physical) and/or invisible (hearing, vision, speech, learning, cognitive, mental) disabilities.
The AODA requirements go beyond accessible "customer service training, ramps and wheelchairs." You must also ensure that Ontarians with disabilities have fair and equitable access to information, communication, employment, and websites (WCAG 2.0 Level AA) in accessible formats.
[+] 2. Do you have to file accessibility compliance reports?
A business or organization with 20 or more employees must file a compliance report online which requires your business number (BN9).
Failure to report is a $2,000 fine. If you have less than 20 employees, no reporting required but you must still comply with AODA requirements.
[+] 3. Did you know non-compliance can result in fines of $50,000 to $100,000 per day?
The Government has the power to conduct inspections, assign monetary penalties and prosecute through the courts.
Do nothing, and risk having a non-compliance (enforcement) letter sent to you:
Penalties can be onerous and result in fines of $50,000 per non-compliant day for small businesses and $100,000 per non-compliant day for corporations. Read this Toronto Star article.
United States - ADA Compliance
[+] 1. Who must comply with ADA law?
1. If you are a business that provide goods or services to the public (called "public accomodations" in ADA)
2. The ADA establishes requirements for 12 categories of public accommodations, which include stores, restaurants, bars, service establishments, theaters, hotels, recreational facilities, private museums and schools, doctors' and dentists' offices, shopping malls, and other businesses. Nearly all types of businesses that serve the public are included in the 12 categories, regardless of the size of the business or the age of their buildings.
If the above applies to your organization, you must comply with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and its accessibility requirements by law.
[+] 2. Did you know that accessibility goes beyond training and physical barriers?
"When dealing with customers who are blind or have low vision, those who are deaf or hard of hearing, or those who have speech disabilities, many business owners and employees are not sure what to do. The goal is to find practical solutions for communicating effectively with your customers." - U.S. Department of Justice
The first step is to educate and train staff on disabilities.
[+] 3. Did you know non-compliance can result in fines of $55,000 to $150,000?
Penalties can be onerous and result in fines of $55,000 for first violation to $150,000 for subsequent violations. Learn more about ADA penalties.
Take Action
OPTION 1 - Comply on your own (Time required: Ongoing hours)
1. Educate & train existing staff and all new staff, on disabilities and accessibility.
2. Create and implement accessible format solutions to satisfy core "Staff training, Customer feedback, Service policies, Employment intake, Emergency response & Public Safety Info" requirements.
1. The Jibbio Accessibility Compliance Kit (JACK™) is powered by Jibbio Minisite Forms and 3-in-1 QR Codes, and does it all for you- easy, turnkey, customizable, mobile-friendly, cloud-based accessible solutions to automate core training, information, and communications requirements 24/7, saving you tens of ongoing hours - Set it and forget it:
Accessible Customer Service Training for Staff Accessible Customer Service Policies Accessible Customer Feedback Accessible Recruitment, Employment, and Volunteer Intake Accessible Emergency Response Procedures & Public Safety Info Accessible Mobile App Printable Signs
2. JACK™ content is specific for the Province of Ontario, Canada, but it can also satisfy core "Staff training, Customer feedback, Service policies, Employment intake, Emergency response & Public Safety Information" provisions for:
4. In addition to JACK™ for accessibility compliance, the Jibbio 7-in-1 Suite is included which provides multifaceted tools to market, sell, and grow your business.
Replace your default (non-accessible) website and print forms (e.g. Contact, Registration, Feedback, and Application forms) with customized, mobile-friendly minisite forms which meet the highest WCAG 2.0 Level AAA accessibility technical standards.
These multimedia minisite forms are powerful, beautiful, and accessible for people with all abilities.
"WCAG 2.0 accessibility" is required by AODA law (Canada). Read the Government Guideline.
Not sure if your website forms and content are accessible? Simply test here: AChecker.ca
Five JACK™ Solutions
[+] About JACK™
The Jibbio Accessibility Compliance Kit (JACK™) is a collaborative effort between Jibbio.com and ChangingPaces.com (formerly o/a People First 4 AODA). JACK™ is powered by Jibbio.com technology, and all content for JACK™ applications was created exclusively for Jibbio by Trish Robichaud, Founder of ChangingPaces.com.
Trish Robichaud is a multiple award winning Disability Awareness Coach, Life & Business Coach, Author, Facilitator, Advocate & Motivational Speaker who lives with multiple sclerosis and major depression.
ChangingPaces.com was the FIRST disability awareness training firm in Ontario to have an Accessible Customer Service training program developed, tested and implemented in the field.
In addition, Trish Robichaud served as subject matter expert & content development support for training programs on the Integrated Accessibility Standards Regulation under the Accessibility Directorate of Ontario.
Government and public sector organizations that have contracted ChangingPaces.com to deliver training include but are not limited to:
City of Brantford
City of Oshawa
City of St Thomas
City of Thunder Bay
County of Elgin
County of Lennox & Addington
County of Simcoe
District of Nipissing Social Services
Family Transition Place
Georgian College – Barrie
Municipality of Central Elgin
Ontario March of Dimes
Prince Edward County
Town of Bracebridge
Town of Bradford West Gwillimbury
Town of Georgina
Town of Iroquois Falls
Town of New Tecumseth
Town of Newmarket
Town of Parry Sound
Town of Perth
Town of Smooth Rock Falls
Town of Whitchurch-Stouffville
Township of Adjala-Tosorontio
Township of Black River-Matheson
Township of Georgian Bay
Township of King
Township of Muskoka Lakes
Township of Springwater
University of Toronto – Career Centre
[+] eTraining Curriculum
05 mins - INTRO - Introductions, Agenda & Tips
15 mins - MODULE 1 - Types of Disabilities and Barriers
15 mins - MODULE 2 - Customer Service Standards
10 mins - MODULE 3 - General Standards of the Integrated Regulation
20 mins - MODULE 4 - Information & Communication Standards
15 mins - MODULE 5 - Employment Standards
10 mins - MODULE 6 - Transportation Standards
10 mins - MODULE 7 - Public Spaces Standards
======
100 mins
6 Types of Disabilities, Communication Tips, Accommodation Strategies & Assistive Devices
Physical
Vision
Hearing
Mental Health
Intellectual
Learning
Page 3 - MODULE 2 - Customer Service Standard (15 mins)
Requirements of the Customer Service Standards
Obligated Organizations
Non-Compliance Penalties
Development of Policies, Practices & Procedures
Service Animals & Support Persons
Notice of Temporary Disruptions
Training
Feedback
Alternate Format Documents
4 Principles of Accessible Customer Service
Page 4 - MODULE 3 - General Standards of the Integrated Regulation (10 mins)
Requirements of the Integrated Standards Regulation
AODA & the Human Rights Code
Obligated Organizations
General Standards
Development of Policies
Accessibility Planning & Reporting
Accessible Procurement
Self-Serve Kiosks
Training
Feedback Systems
Accessible Formats & Communication Supports
Emergency Planning & Public Safety
Accessible Websites
Education & Training Materials
Training to Educators
Producers of Education Materials
Libraries of Education Institutions
Public Libraries
Recruitment, Assessment or Selection Process
Notice to Successful Applicants
Informing Employees of Supports
Accessible Formats & Communication Supports
Workplace Emergency Response Information
Documented Individual Accommodation Plans
Return to Work Process
Performance Management, Career Development, Advancement & Redeployment
Availability of information on accessibility equipment, etc.
Non-functining accessibility equipment
Accessibility training
Emergency preparedness and response policies
Fares & Support Persons
Transition & Existing Contracts & Vehicles
Accessibility Planning for Conventional & Specialized Transportation
Extensive Requirement for both Conventional & Specialized Services
Other Transportation Services
Municipalities & Taxicabs
Compliance Provisions & Non-Compliance Penalties
7 Types of Public Spaces
Recreational trails and beach access routes
Outdoor public use eating areas, like those found at rest stops or picnic grounds
Outdoor play spaces
Exterior paths of travel (e.g. sidewalks) and their associated elements such as ramps, stairs, rest areas
Accessible off-street and on-street parking spaces
Obtaining services (service counters, fixed queuing guides and waiting areas)
Maintenance planning
Scope of the Requirements
Building new public spaces, or
Making planned significant alterations to existing public spaces.
Retrofitting not required
Who must comply & when
Short QUIZ (5 questions)
Page 9 - Employee Confirmation of Completion
Date
Employee Name
Employee # (if applicable)
Digital e-Signature
After an employee has completed their eTraining, multiple email recipients can be notified of their completion which includes responses and answers to the quiz. Furthermore, data for all employees are consolidated in one Microsoft Excel, CSV, or TXT file to export for easy offline management and compliance reporting- complete automation and management.
[+] Demos
Online Desktop Solutions Included (add to your website)
UNLIMITED staff eTraining
Accessible Customer Service Training for Staff
The Jibbio Accessibility Compliance Kit (JACK™) is a collaborative effort between Jibbio.com and 
