Compliance

Once the Accessible Information and Communication Standard is in force, Manitoba’s Accessibility Compliance Secretariat (opens in new tab) will conduct audits of policies and other documents related to accessible information and communication.

Reviews to determine compliance with accessible web content, web applications and training requirements will also take place.

When these audits and reviews are conducted, the aim will be to provide organizations with constructive feedback, share information about the standard and, if applicable, issue concrete plans to achieve compliance.

If this approach is ineffective, activities may be escalated to include sanctions, such as orders to comply and the charging of administrative monetary penalties.

Compliance Dates

The Manitoba government must comply by May 1, 2023. Public sector organizations, libraries and educational institutions must comply by May 1, 2024.

• Public sector organizations include Crown corporations, regional health authorities, municipal and regional libraries, Manitoba’s 10 largest municipalities and government agencies, boards and commissions.

• Educational institutions include colleges, universities, adult learning centers, private vocational institutions, private and public schools and their libraries.

• Libraries include municipal and regional libraries and libraries within educational institutions.

Private sector, non-profit organizations and small municipalities must comply by May 1, 2025.

• Private sector organizations include Manitoba businesses and organizations with one or more employees, such as shops, restaurants and professional services.

• Non-profit organizations include charities, places of worship, community organizations and membership associations.

The Accessible Information and Communication Standard checklists below describe the specific requirements for all Manitoba organizations. Click and read the checklist that applies to your organization to learn the requirements under the Accessible Information and Communication Standard.

• Checklist for Educational Institutions: The Accessibility Standard for Information and Communication (PDF)

• Checklist for Libraries: The Accessibility Standard for Information and Communication (PDF)

• Checklist for Public Sector Organizations: The Accessibility Standard for Information and Communication (PDF)

• Checklist for Small Municipalities: The Accessibility Standard for Information and Communication (PDF)

• Checklist for Private Businesses and Non-Profit Organizations: The Accessibility Standard for Information and Communication (PDF)

The Human Rights Code

The Accessible Information and Communication Standard complements Manitoba’s Human Rights Code (opens in new tab).

Although accessibility measures ensure that the requirements for providing accessible information and communication are in place, they do not rule out the possibility of discrimination as outlined in The Human Rights Code (Manitoba). The Human Rights Code takes priority over all other provincial laws and regulations.