A barrier is anything that prevents an individual from participating fully in society because of his or her disability. There are several types of barriers. They include: architectural and physical barriers found in the built environment; attitudinal barriers that are shown by the way people with disabilities are treated by others; technology barriers that prevent the use of accessibility devices; systemic barriers that are found in the policies, procedures and practices of an organization; and information and commutation barriers that prevent people with disabilities from understanding information. By adhering to the Accessibility Standards for Customer Service under the AODA, organizations create an environment that is more easily and effectively accessed by, not only people with disabilities, but by all citizens.

DISCLAIMER: The documents provided in this section are provided for the convenience of site visitors. AMCTO does not represent that any document meets applicable legal, policy or building code standards. Site visitors are strongly advised to carefully consider the applicability of each document to their particular municipality and to seek advice on legal implications and to refer to the latest version of the Ontario Building Code (2006).

• Understanding Barriers to Accessibility - Ontario
• Barriers Defined - Ontario

• Measuring Up – Community Accessibility and Inclusion – Workbook, Tools and Resources – British Columbia
• How to Welcome Customers with Disabilities – Ontario
• Accessibility and Your Business – Ontario
• Access On – Breaking Barriers Together - Ontario
• Accessibility Tools for Municipalities - Ontario
• Making Information Accessible - Ontario
• What You Need to Know When Dealing with Customers with Disabilities over the Phone – Ontario
• What You Need to Know When Visiting or Delivering to Your Customers with Disabilities at Home – Ontario
• Plan an Accessible Meeting – Ontario
• Accessible Election Guidelines - Ontario
• Accessible Customer Service in Public Transport - Finland
• Law Enforcement Situations Involving People with Disabilities - ( Excellent video for any profession ) - USA
  
  

EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS

• Emergency Preparedness Guide for People with Disabilities – Ontario
• An ADA Guide for Local Governments Making Community Emergency Preparedness and Response Programs Accessible to People with Disabilities - USA
• ADA Checklist for Emergency Shelters - USA
• 9 -1-1 and Emergency Communication Services – USA
• Individuals with Special Needs – Preparing and Planning – USA
• Caring for Someone with Dementia in a Disaster - USA
• Personal Preparedness Tips for People with Disabilities –British Columbia

• The Business Accessibility Test - Checklist - Ontario
• Communication Accessibility Checklist - Ontario
• Service Accessibility Checklist - USA
  
  

• Disabilities – Universal Design – Ontario
• Built for Access: Built for Access Around the World - Ontario
• Centre for Universal Design – USA

• City of Brampton Accessibility Technical Standards – 2005 - Ontario
• City of Toronto Accessibility Design Guidelines - Ontario
• Make Buildings and Spaces Accessible - Ontario
• Checklist for Polling Places - USA
• Hamilton Barrier Free Design Guidelines - Ontario
• Curb Ramps - USA
• Facility Accessibility Design Standards - Ontario
• Ferry Accessibility for Persons with Disabilities – Canada
• Walkability Toolkit - Ontario
• Pedestrian Safety Guide - USA
• Playability Toolkit Building Accessible Playspaces - Ontario
• TABIA Accessible Mainstreet - Ontario
  

• Built Environment Facility Checklist - USA