Legislative reviews

Review of the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act, 2005 (AODA)

The government appoints reviewers to assess the effectiveness of the Act:

Review of the accessibility standards

Each accessibility standard is required to be reviewed five years after it becomes law to determine whether it works as intended and to adjust, if required:

Development of new accessibility standards

Councils and committees

Accessibility Standards Advisory Council

Under the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act, 2005 (AODA) at the direction of the Minister, the Accessibility Standards Advisory Council (ASAC) is responsible for advising the Minister on:

  • progress made by standards development committees in the development of proposed accessibility standards and in achieving the purposes of the AODA
  • accessibility reports prepared under the AODA
  • programs of public information related to the AODA
  • all other matters related to the subject matter of the AODA that the Minister directs

Appointed by the Minister, ASAC includes representatives from:

  • the disability community
  • organizations that have to comply with Ontario’s accessibility laws (includes businesses as well as organizations from the non-profit and public sectors)

ASAC can be composed of a chair and up to 15 members, with additional members, as required, appointed at the discretion of the Minister. The AODA requires a majority of ASAC members to be people with disabilities.

How to apply

Help us reach an accessible Ontario by 2025.

The Minister responsible for AODA is always looking for candidates to sit on the ASAC. If you are interested in becoming a member, submit an application to the Public Appointments Secretariat.

Standards development committees

A standards development committee consists of a group of representatives from various sectors, including business, municipalities and people with disabilities that makes recommendations on how to improve and develop new accessibility standards as required under the AODA. 

These committees determine the long-term accessibility objectives by identifying the measures, policies, practices and requirements that it believes should be implemented. The committee recommendations, after public consultation, are submitted to the Minister as a proposed accessibility standard for the government’s consideration.

Municipal accessibility advisory committees

Accessibility Advisory Committees (AACs) advise municipal councils about how best to meet Ontario’s accessibility standards. Under the law, most committee members must be people with a disability.

Guide to serving on a municipal accessibility advisory committee.

Partnership council on employment opportunities for people with disabilities

The Partnership Council provides advice to the government on how to:

  • increase employment opportunities for people with disabilities
  • encourage business leaders to promote hiring people with disabilities
  • work with businesses to remove barriers to employment for people with disabilities
  • encourage businesses to create inclusive work environments that are accessible to everyone
  • develop and promote best practices for other businesses

In 2015, the Partnership Council submitted an initial report, containing recommendations to the minister.