Business and Non-Profit
Accessibility for Business and Non-Profit
Ensure your business or non-profit is open to everyone. Removing barriers benefits all Manitobans.
Accessibility for Businesses and
Non-Profit Organizations
The Accessibility for Manitobans Act was created to improve accessibility for people with disabilities. This law affects all people, including Manitoba businesses and non-profit organizations that employ at least one person.
- Businesses: include shops, restaurants, hotels, legal, healthcare and other professional services.
- Non-profit organizations: include, but are not limited to charities, unions, community organizations, places of worship, and member associations.
Accessible Customer Service Standard
The Accessible Customer Service Standard addresses business practices and training to provide better customer service to people with disabilities. All businesses and non-profit organizations with at least one employee are required to provide customer service that is accessible to all Manitobans.
Requirements for Businesses and Non-Profits with One or More Employees
- follow the general requirements outlined under the Accessible Customer Service Standard
Requirements for Businesses and Non-Profits with 50 or More Employees
- follow the general requirements outlined under the Accessible Customer Service Standard
- document (in-print) their customer service policy
- provide notice that their customer service policy is available in accessible formats, on request
Accessible Employment Standard
The Accessible Employment Standard Regulation removes and prevents barriers that could impact current and potential members of Manitoba's labour force. Under the Accessible Employment Standard, all businesses and non-profit organizations with at least one employee are required to:
Requirements for Businesses and Non-Profits with One or More Employee
- follow the general requirements outlined under the Accessible Employment Standard
Requirements for Businesses and Non-Profits with 50 or More Employees
- follow the general requirements outlined under the Accessible Employment Standard
- keep a written record of accessible employment policies and practices, including a summary of training content and when training is offered
- ensure policies meet the standard requirement for individualized accommodation plans
- let the public know that our accessible employment policies and practices are available on request and in accessible formats
Accessible Information and Communication Standard
The Accessible Information and Communication Standard Regulation focuses on removing and preventing barriers that exist digitally, in-print or through interaction with technology or people. Starting May 1, 2025, all businesses and non-profit organizations with at least one employee are required to provide information and communication that is accessible to all Manitobans.
Requirements for Businesses and Non-Profits with One or More Employee
- follow the general requirements outlined under the Accessible Information and Communication Standard
Requirements for Businesses and Non-Profits with 50 or More Employees
- follow the general requirements outlined under the Accessible Information and Communication Standard
- keep a written record of accessibility and training policies, including a summary of training materials and when training opportunities are offered
- let the public know that accessibility and training policies are available on request
Accessible Transportation Standard
The Accessible Transportation Standard helps operators of conventional and paratransit service providers, schools, vehicles-for-hire and municipalities create a system of transportation that is more inclusive for all Manitobans, regardless of abilities.
The Accessible Transportation Standard includes measures related to training, policy development, equipment, vehicle design and operating matters such as fares, hours of service and routes.
Under the Accessible Transportation Standard, the following organizations will be required to adhere to basic accessibility standards with respect to transportation:
- conventional service providers
- paratransit service providers
- schools
- vehicles-for-hire
- municipalities
Accessible Design of Outdoor Public Spaces Standard
The Accessible Design of Outdoor Public Spaces Standard is currently in development. Once enacted this standard will focus on access to areas outside the jurisdiction of the Manitoba Building Code. This standard applies to sidewalks, pathways, parks and other aspects of the outdoor environment that are designed and constructed.
Accessible Design of Outdoor Public Spaces Standard Compliance Deadlines
Creating and Updating Accessibility Plans
Businesses and non-profit organizations are not required to have an accessibility plan under the legislation, but it is best practice.
Making accessibility a part of your organization's operations ensures that all Manitobans have full access to programs and services designed to meet their needs.
An accessibility plan outlines measures your organization has taken and will take to identify, remove, and reduce barriers to accessibility. Accessibility plans should describe how public sector organizations are complying with existing standards introduced by The Accessibility for Manitobans Act. Plans should include:
- a review of the progress made in advancing accessibility, in the last 24 months.
- future priorities and action items for accessibility in the next 24 months, and any
- necessary updates to policies and procedures
Accessibility plans must be created and updated in consultation with people with disabilities, or representatives from organizations of people with disabilities.
How to Update an Accessibility Plan Video
Video Transcript
Disclaimer: ASL interpretation for the following content was presented live and was not pre recorded.
Hello, this brief presentation has been developed to assist public sector organizations in Manitoba to comply with a requirement to update their accessibility plants.
Alternate formats upon request. This information is available in alternate formats on request, please contact the Manitoba accessibility office by email at mao@gov.mb.ca. Or by phone at two zero four nine four five seven six one three. You can also contact toll free at 1-800-282-8069. Extension 7613. Or visit accessibilityMB.ca.
The accessibility for Manitoban's act. Accessibility legislation is important to have in place because nearly one in four Manitobans face barriers to accessibility in daily living and with an aging population, this number continues to grow. All Manitobans regardless of their abilities, have the right to participate fully in society and to be treated with dignity and respect.
And with the introduction of accessibility legislation, organizations must all collaborate to make Manitoba accessible.
Well, what is an accessibility plan? An accessibility plan is a written document that is required to be developed by all public sector organizations under the accessibility for Manitoban's act. This includes small and large municipalities, crown corporations, regional health authorities, post-secondary institutions, school divisions, and the government of Manitoba. An accessibility plan outlines measures your organization has taken and will take to identify, remove, and reduce barriers to accessibility.
The document lists the measures in place to ensure your organization assess its policies, programs, practices, services, rules, or bylaws to determine their impact on accessibility. While accessibility plans can have an internal audience, they must be made available to the public.
Did you know that 87% or 165 out of 189 public sector organizations across Manitoba have created an accessibility plan. This is encouraging and worth celebrating as it is showing a commitment towards accessibility by many organizations.
Important. Accessibility plans must be updated every two years per the accessibility for Manitoban's act.
Why should your organization update your accessibility plan? We'll updates to accessibility plants are needed because they help focus an organization to consider and eliminate new barriers. Updates also ensure that all Manitobans have full access to programs and services designed to meet their needs and updates are required by law and failure to do so may lead to compliance and enforcement activities.
Steps for updating your accessibility plan. Begin by reading through your current accessibility plan and then reviewing progress on any policies, actions, or measures your organization has taken to create accessibility in the past two years. Set future priorities, including compliance with requirements under accessibility standards and identify the actions your organization will take to advance accessibility in the next two years. Lastly, make your updated accessibility plan publicly available.
Accessibility plan tips. It is helpful to include the following in your accessibility plans, a contact person with ways to get in touch by email or phone number, the time period the plan covers how your organization meets or exceeds accessibility standard requirements.
Accessibility plan tips continued. Prioritize accessibility when discussing corporate and strategic planning and integrate your accessibility plan into quarterly or annual reporting periods and or board meetings. You may choose to update your accessibility plan by editing the original plan that acts as a baseline, or you can use the free template titled “how to update your accessibility plan” available at accessibilityMB.ca.
Organizations can copy and paste from this template and adapt it to meet their needs. Resources and contact information. For more information and accessibility plan resources, including sample plans developed by organizations, visit accessibilityMB.ca. For accessibility plan requirements and information related to compliance, contact the accessibility compliance secretariat at accessibilitycompliance@gov.mb.ca or at 204-792-0263.
For all other information, contact the Manitoba accessibility office at mao@gov.mb.ca or at 204-945-7613 or toll free at 1-800-282-8069. Extension 7613.
Thank you. Accessibility is good for everyone, it's the law in Manitoba. So let's collectively recognize accessibility achievements in our province and prioritize accessibility plans to ensure an accessible Manitoba.
Remember submit your updated accessibility plan to accessibility compliance secretariat by email at accessibilitycompliance@gov.mb.ca.
Accessible Customer Service Standard Resources for Business and Non-Profit
Accessible Employment Standard Resources for Business and Non-Profit
Accessible Information and Communication Standard Resources for Business and Non-Profit
Accessible Transportation Standard Resources
Design of Outdoor Public Spaces Standard Development Committee
-
Terms of Reference for Design of Public Spaces Standard (February 2019)
-
Recommendations for an Accessibility Standard for the Design of
Public Spaces (October 2020)
-
Discussion Paper on Recommendations for a Design of Public Spaces
Standard (December 2019)
-
Scope and Intent Document for the Proposed Accessibility Standard on The
Design of Public Spaces (May 2019)