About ILWR

Accessibility and AODA

At Independent Living Waterloo Region (ILWR), we are committed to treating all people in a way that enables them to maintain their dignity and independence. We are committed to continually working towards the ideals established by the Independent Living philosophy.

Our Board, staff, and volunteers value the principles of accountability, respect, empowerment, responsiveness, and collaboration. We also extend our commitment to accessibility to include those detailed in the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act. 

We are committed to providing an environment of equal opportunity, access, and integration for people with disabilities.

This commitment includes ensuring compliance with all applicable federal and provincial accessibility laws, and to identifying, removing, and preventing barriers to accessibility.

The Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act

The Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA) is an important Ontario law. Passed in 2005, the purpose of the Act is to achieve full accessibility for Ontarians with disabilities with respect to goods, services, facilities, accommodation, employment and spaces by developing, implementing and enforcing accessibility standards.

Businesses and organizations that provide goods and services to people in Ontario now have to meet certain accessibility standards in five key areas of everyday life:

  1. Customer Service
  2. Information and Communication
  3. Transportation
  4. Employment
  5. Design of Public Spaces

ILWR and the AODA

In order to ensure we are living our values and comply with the AODA, we have created a multi-year accessibility plan. This plan, in conjunction with our internal accessibility policy, identifies key areas to continually improve accessibility in our organization.

The plan extends through 2025, the goalpost set by the AODA for full compliance, and will be updated and amended as our organization evolves. In addition to the initiatives set out in the plan, we continuously pursue the highest level of accessibility and inclusion throughout our programs and services.

ILWR Website and WCAG 2.0

ILWR believes this website is accessible and meets all criteria listed under WCAG 2.0 except for some elements, pages, or widgets designed and published by third-party providers. For more information about our website, or to inquire about its accessibility, please contact info@ilwr.ca 

Accessibility Feedback

ILWR values feedback on our commitment to accessibility, inclusivity, and our effort to adhere to important accessibility legislation, including the AODA. We invite you to share your comments by emailing info@ilwr.ca or calling 519-571-6788.

Alternate Formats

Alternative formats for all ILWR public documents will be available upon request. For more information, or to request alternative formats, please email info@ilwr.ca or call 519-571-6788.