Accessible Formats and Communication Supports
When requested, you must provide information and communications in an accessible manner to people with disabilities.
Alternatives to standard print are often referred to as accessible formats, and ways to help communication between people are referred to as communication supports.
When a request is received, you must consult with the person to determine their accessibility needs. You have the flexibility to determine the most appropriate accessible format or communication support depending on the accessibility needs of the person and the capability of your organization to deliver.
Accessible formats and communication supports must be provided in a timely manner and at a cost that is not more than the regular costs charged to other people.
What are some examples of alternate formats and communication supports?
- Reading written information to a person directly
- Large print
- Text transcripts of audio or visual information
- Handwritten notes instead of spoken word
- Information written in plain language
- An electronic document formatted to be accessible for use with a screen reader
Formats that are an alternative to standard print and are accessible to people with disabilities. May include large print, recorded audio and electronic formats, and Braille.
As used in the Information and Communications Standard, refers to the interaction between two or more people or entities when information is provided, sent or received.
Supports that individuals with disabilities may need to access information. Some examples include plain language, sign language interpreter, reading the information out loud to a person with vision loss, adding captioning to videos or using written notes to communicate with someone who is hard of hearing.
As used in the Information and Communications Standard, refers to knowledge, data and facts that convey meaning and that exist in any format, such as text, audio, digital or images.
When do you need to comply?
| Organization Type |
Compliance By |
| Government of Ontario and Legislative Assembly | January 1, 2014 |
| Large designated public sector organizations | January 1, 2015 |
| Small designated public sector organizations and Large organizations | January 1, 2016 |
| Small organizations (1 to 49 employees) | January 1, 2017 |
January 1, 2014
Government of Ontario and Legislative Assembly must comply by January 1, 2014
January 1, 2015
Large designated public sector organizations must comply by January 1, 2015
January 1, 2016
Small designated public sector organizations, and large organizations with 50 or more employees must comply by January 1, 2016
January 1, 2017
Small organizations with 1 to 49 employees must comply by January 1, 2017
For a description of how organizations are classified under the regulation, please refer to the Organizational Classification Chart opens in a new window.
Refers to the executive of the government and operational branches, including all the ministries of the Government of Ontario and the Office of the Premier.
Refers to the Offices of the Legislative Assembly of Ontario including all the offices of the Members of Provincial Parliament (MPPs), their constituency offices in their ridings and the offices of those appointed on the address of the Assembly, such as the Speaker of the Legislative Assembly of Ontario.
A designated public sector organization with 50 or more employees (such as municipalities, hospitals, universities, colleges of applied arts and technology, district school boards, and organizations that provide public transportation).
A designated public sector organization with one to 49 employees (such as the Ontario Office of the Fairness Commissioner and some municipalities).
Refers to a private or not-for-profit organization that provides goods, services or facilities to the public or to other organizations and has one to 49 employees in Ontario. It does not include the Government of Ontario, Legislative Assembly, or designated public sector organizations.
Refers to a private or not-for-profit organization that provides goods, services or facilities to the public or to other organizations and has 50 or more employees in Ontario. It does not include the Government of Ontario, Legislative Assembly, or designated public sector organizations.
