Accessibility for Public Sector

About Accessibility for
Public Sector Organizations

The Accessibility for Manitobans Act created a path to improve accessibility for people with disabilities. Under this act, Manitoba's public sector organizations have certain obligations to make the province more accessible.

• Public sector organizations: include any organization connected to the government, including municipalities, Crown corporations, regional health authorities, school divisions, post-secondary institutions and government agencies, boards and commissions

Accessible Customer Service Standard

The Accessible Customer Service Standard addresses business practices and training to provide better customer service to people with disabilities. Public sector organizations are required to provide customer service that is accessible to all Manitobans.

Requirements for Public Sector Organizations

• follow the general requirements outlined under the Accessible Customer Service Standard

Additional Requirements for Public Sector Organizations with 50 or More Employees

• follow the general requirements outlined under the Accessible Customer Service Standard
• make public events accessible, including meetings, hearings and consultations

Additional Requirements for Large Municipalities*

• follow the general requirements outlined under the Accessible Customer Service Standard
• keep a written record of accessibility and training policies, including a summary of training materials and when training is offered
• let the public know that accessibility and training policies are available on request

Additional Requirements for Small Municipalities* with 50 or More Employees

• follow the general requirements outlined under the Accessible Customer Service Standard
• make public events accessible, including meetings, hearings and consultations
• keep a written record of accessibility and training policies, including a summary of training materials and when training opportunities are offered. Also let the public know accessibility and training policies are available on request

General Requirements for the Accessible Customer Service Standard Compliance Deadlines

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, public sector organizations are required to:

Requirements for Public Sector Organizations

• follow the general requirements outlined under the Accessible Employment Standard

Additional Requirements for Small Municipalities

• follow the general requirements outlined under the Accessible Employment Standard

Additional Requirements for Public Sector Organizations

• follow the general requirements outlined under the Accessible Employment Standard

General Requirements of the Accessible Employment Standard Compliance Deadlines

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, 2024, all public sector organizations are required to provide information and communication that is accessible to all Manitobans.

Requirements for Public Sector Organizations

• 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

Additional Requirements for Educational Institutions

• follow the general requirements outlined under the Accessible Information and Communication Standard
• inform employees, students, applicants, potential applicants and their parents and guardians that information and educational materials are available through a communication support or accessible format on request
• consult with the person requesting accessible information or educational materials to identify the support or format that would remove the barrier
• provide information, including educational materials, requested in alternate formats or through communication supports in a timely manner and do not impose a cost or fee that would not be imposed on a person who did not make a request
• provide comparable educational materials when a specific material cannot be provided, using the identified accessible format or support

Additional Requirements for Libraries

• follow the general requirements outlined under the Accessible Information and Communication Standard
• inform the public and employees that information, including library resources, is available in accessible formats and through communication supports on request
• consult with the person requesting accessible information or library resources to identify the support or format that would remove the barrier
• provide information, including library resources, requested in alternate formats or through communication supports in a timely manner and do not impose a cost or fee that would not be imposed on a person who did not make a request
• consider the accessibility needs of users when purchasing or procuring library resources
• take measures to identify library resources that are available through communication supports and alternate formats, and inform users about the types of supports or formats that are available

Additional Requirements for Small Municipalities 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 our accessibility and training policies are available on request

General Requirements of the Accessible Information and Communication Standard Compliance Deadlines

Accessible Transportation Standard

The Accessible Transportation Standard aims to help 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

General Requirements of the Accessible Transportation Standard Compliance Deadlines

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.

*Large Municipalities Includes Manitoba's 10 largest municipalities, as defined by the province as cities, includes Brandon, Dauphin, Flin Flon, Morden, Portage la Prairie, Selkirk, Steinbach, Thompson, Winkler and Winnipeg.

*Small Municipalities Includes all towns, villages, and rural municipalities within Manitoba, excluding Manitoba's 10 largest municipalities.

Accessible Design of Outdoor Public Spaces Standard Compliance Deadlines

Creating and Updating Accessibility Plans

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
• 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.

• Manitoba government: An update accessibility plan for 2023 and 2024 was due on December 31, 2022
• Public sector organizations, including school divisions and large municipalities: An updated accessibility plan for 2023 and 2024 was due on December 31, 2022
• Small Municipalities: An updated plan for 2022 and 2023 was due on December 31, 2021

How to Update an Accessibility Plan Video