To educate individuals on the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA), which mandates accessibility standards in areas like customer service, employment, transportation, and built environment.

To help organizations comply with AODA’s requirements and create inclusive, accessible environments for people with disabilities.

Employees: Anyone who interacts with the public, clients, or customers in an organization, especially those in customer service roles.

Employers and Managers: Organizations with 1 or more employees, especially those with 50+ employees, are required to ensure their staff receives training.

Public Service Providers: Those working in government or providing services to the public.

Customer Service Standard: All organizations must train staff on providing accessible customer service. This includes treating people with disabilities respectfully, providing alternative formats of information if requested, and understanding the needs of people with disabilities.

Accessibility Standards for Information and Communication: This includes making websites, documents, and information accessible to all, including using assistive technologies or alternate formats for individuals with disabilities.

Employment Standard: Employers must ensure that people with disabilities are treated fairly in hiring, recruitment, and workplace accommodations. Training includes how to provide reasonable accommodations and support for employees with disabilities.

Built Environment and Transportation Standards: The built environment standard covers accessibility in buildings and public spaces, while transportation standards focus on making public transportation services accessible.

Disability Awareness: Recognizing different disabilities and the barriers people with disabilities may face.

Communication: Best practices for communicating with people with disabilities (e.g., providing information in accessible formats, speaking directly to the individual, etc.).

Customer Service: How to assist customers with disabilities in a respectful and inclusive way.

Creating an Accessible Workplace: Ensuring that employees with disabilities can work in a supportive, inclusive environment.

Legal Obligations and Compliance: Understanding the legal requirements under the AODA and the consequences of non-compliance.

Online Training: Many courses are available online, which is convenient for employees to complete at their own pace. These courses typically include videos, quizzes, and certification upon completion.

In-Person Training: Some organizations may offer in-person workshops or seminars, particularly for larger groups or specific industries.

Customized Training: Organizations may also have tailored AODA training for their specific needs.

After completing AODA training, employees and employers typically receive certificates of completion.

Employers are required to maintain records of employees who have completed training, and they must be able to produce these records if needed for inspections or audits.

The Ontario government provides free online training resources for the Customer Service Standard, which is the most common training required.

External providers such as professional organizations, accessibility consultants, and training centers also offer comprehensive AODA training programs for different standards.