Accessible Procurement
Accessible procurement involves determining what is required for a product or service to be accessible, and either finding ways to procure something that meets those requirements or, documenting why this is not possible and what will be done if an accessible alternative is requested. Drafting a checklist of procurement considerations and using assessment tools can help staff determine how accessible a product is.
The Accessibility For Ontarians With Disabilities Act, 2005 (AODA)
The Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act, 2005 (AODA) aims to make Ontario accessible by 2025 through the development, implementation, and enforcement of standards to identify, remove and prevent barriers for people with disabilities in key areas of daily living.
The standards apply to private and public sector organizations across Ontario. Under the AODA, Ontario universities are identified as “large designated public sector organizations”. As such, Universities are required to “incorporate accessibility design, criteria and features when procuring or acquiring goods, services or facilities, except where it is not practicable to do so” (O. Reg. 191/11, s. 5 (1); O. Reg. 413/12, s. 4 (1).).
Accessible Procurement for Laurentian University
Laurentian University is committed to creating a campus community that is safe and inclusive for all individuals. Successful learning, living, and employment outcomes are the result of a shared responsibility and commitment on the part of students, employees, faculty, and senior administrators. As Laurentian continues to enhance its culture of inclusiveness, it will require the recognition and support of everyone on campus to ensure the removal of barriers to accessibility.
The University is committed to excellence in service in providing goods, services and facilities to University students, faculty, staff and other users in a way that respects the dignity and independence of people with disabilities. The University strives to ensure that persons with disabilities have equal opportunity to access its goods, services and facilities in an integrated manner, and where possible, without the need for adaptation, unless alternate measures are necessary. Existing policies will be applied in a manner that is consistent with the principles of independence, dignity, integration and equality of opportunity for people with disabilities.
Things to Consider before You Buy
Goods
Can the good be used by someone:
- In a seated position?
- Using one hand, with limited upper body strength, or limited fine motor skills?
- With vision loss or low vision?
With hearing loss? - Can the product be used to meet a variety of needs?
- Are support materials, such as manuals and training or service calls, available in accessible formats at no additional charge?
- Does it work with common assistive technologies?
Services
- Does the firm provide accessible customer service, as required under the Customer Service Standard?
- Can the service provider accommodate the needs of people of all abilities?
- If you are hiring someone to conduct research, do their surveys and interviews accommodate people with different types of disabilities?
- Will the company use accessible signage, audio and/or print materials?
- If you are hiring an event coordinator, will they use high contrast signage for the event?
Facilities
- Can someone using a mobility aid, like a wheelchair or walker, get around the facility?
- Are signs placed at an accessible height?
- Does the facility have emergency procedures to assist people with disabilities?
- Can someone with a disability use the facility as quickly and easily as a person without a disability?
More Information
Please see our AODA booklet here.
Contact Office of Procurement and Contracts via purchasing@laurentian.ca to find out more about accessible procurement.
Learn more about the the accessibility services of Laurentian University by visiting https://laurentian.ca/accessibility
