Section #26: Accessible Formats and Communication Supports for Employees
What the standard says
(1) In addition to its obligations under section 12, where an employee with a disability so requests it, every employer shall consult with the employee to provide or arrange for the provision of accessible formats and communication supports for,
- information that is needed in order to perform the employee’s job; and
- information that is generally available to employees in the workplace.
(2) The employer shall consult with the employee making the request in determining the suitability of an accessible format or communication support.
For more information, see IASR Section #12: Accessible formats and communications supports.
Suggested approach
When an employee makes a request for accommodation, the department manager or Human Resources (HR) professional should work with the employee to determine which accessible formats and communication supports are appropriate, and then provide them or arrange for them to be provided. Human Resources professionals may act as liaison between the employee and the manager to coordinate the request or enlist outside providers such as CNIB or The Canadian Hearing Society.
Suggested best practices
- Brock University: Accommodation for Employees with Disabilities
- Ryerson University: Accommodation for Persons with Disabilities
- University of Toronto: Accommodation Guidelines for Employees with Disabilities
- York University: Academic Accommodation Process
Supplementary resource
Compliance schedule for Section #26, as stated in the IASR
- For large designated public sector organizations, January 1, 2014.
- For large organizations, January 1, 2016.
Definitions related to Section #26, as defined in the IASR
- “Large designated public sector organization” means a designated public sector organization with 50 or more employees.
- “Large organization” means an obligated organization with 50 or more employees in Ontario, other than the Government of Ontario, the Legislative Assembly or a designated public sector organization.
How does the IASR relate to the Ontario Human Rights Code?
In Section 1 (2), the IASR states that, “the requirements in the standards set out in this Regulation are not a replacement or a substitution for the requirements established under the Human Rights Code nor do the standards limit any obligations owed to persons with disabilities under any other legislation.”