On December 3, 2024, the Government of Saskatchewan published its accessibility plan, which provides helpful insights for public employers who are required in implement their own plans in 2025.
Background
The Accessibility Saskatchewan Act (the “Act”) was passed by the Government of Saskatchewan in 2023 to help make workplaces more accessible for persons with disabilities. Public sector bodies and other prescribed persons are required to share their accessibility plan by December 3, 2025.
Who is required to implement an accessibility plan?
The Act requires the Government of Saskatchewan, public sector bodies and other prescribed persons to implement an accessibility plan and share it publicly. The entities considered public sector bodies include Saskatchewan municipalities, school divisions, post-secondary education institutions and several other public bodies. The Accessibility Saskatchewan Regulations list each entity that is required to implement an accessibility plan.
What is an accessibility plan? What are the steps necessary to prepare one?
The purpose of accessibility plans is to prevent and remove barriers that people with disabilities experience with respect to employment, the built environment, information and communications, transportation, service animals, procurement, service delivery and any other prescribed activities or undertakings.
When developing and updating accessibility plans, organizations must consult with persons with disabilities and consider the principles of inclusion, adaptability, diversity, collaboration, self-determination and universal design. Any organization subject to the requirements under the Act must establish processes for receiving comments from the public with respect to their accessibility plans. This means the plans must be posted publicly to allow for public feedback.
Overview of the Government’s Accessibility Plan
The Government of Saskatchewan’s accessibility plan outlines the consultation process, identified barriers, and goals to remove those barriers. The Government’s accessibility plan provides helpful insights into the following:
- The consultation process, including the obligation to consult internally and externally;
- Identifying different types of barriers, including physical barriers, information and communication barriers and attitudinal barriers; and
- Examples of action items to be taken to remove or reduce barriers, such as making digital content more accessible, improving the accessibility of buildings, and supporting a diverse and inclusive provincial government workforce.
Developing an accessibility plan
Employers subject to the requirements of the Act should begin developing their accessibility plans in early 2025 as the consultation process could take several months.
The Labour & Employment team at MLT Aikins would be happy to assist with all aspects of compliance with the Act, including consulting with persons with disabilities and preparing an accessibility plan. Our team has extensive knowledge regarding the Act and Regulations and has previously assisted federally regulated clients with implementing accessibility plans, which was required in 2023 and 2024 pursuant to similar federal legislation.
Note: This article is of a general nature only and is not exhaustive of all possible legal rights or remedies. In addition, laws may change over time and should be interpreted only in the context of particular circumstances such that these materials are not intended to be relied upon or taken as legal advice or opinion. Readers should consult a legal professional for specific advice in any particular situation.
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