Accessibility for Business and Non-Profit

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.

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