Resources & Tools

The following resources and tools may be helpful for those interested in the duty to accommodate:

Western Resources

Western’s Transitional Accommodation Program

The Transitional Accommodation Program (TAP) utilizes a collaborative, proactive approach to assist employees experiencing occupational and non-occupational illness and injury to remain at work or to return to work in a timely manner. For more information, please contact the Health & Well-being consultant for your faculty or unit.

Duty to Accommodate E-learning Module

Under Ontario’s Human Rights Code, Western has a legal duty to accommodate in employment, services and housing. Accommodation can be based on any Code ground. However, accommodation usually involves needs linked to disability, beliefs and practices related to a person’s creed or religion, family responsibilities or gender. The Ontario Human Rights Commission’s (OHRC) new e-learning module can help you learn:

  • What accommodating means and why it’s important to remove barriers
  • How to apply the duty to accommodate to work, in services and in housing
  • Rights and responsibilities for accommodating

This module takes about 25 minutes to complete and is broken down into short sections. It’s available on the Ontario Human Rights Commission website.

External Resources on Religious Accommodation

OHRC’s Policy on Creed and the Accommodation of Religious Observances

These policy guidelines set out the Ontario Human Rights Commission’s position with respect to creed and the accommodation of religious observances.

Diversity Calendar - Canadian Centre for Diversity and Inclusion

This Diversity Calendar from the Canadian Centre for Diversity and Inclusion provides information on multifaith, multicultural and diversity related holidays and observances and links to resources for more information. 

External Resources on Accommodating Persons with Disabilities

OHRC’s Policy and Guidelines on Disability and the Duty to Accommodate

This policy and guidelines set out the Ontario Human Rights Commission’s position with respect to accommodating persons with disabilities.

OHRC’s Policy on Preventing Discrimination based on Mental Health Disabilities and Addictions

This policy sets out the Ontario Human Rights Commission’s position with respect to accommodation and the prevention of discrimination based mental health disabilities and addictions.

Academic Accommodations: Recommendations for Documentation Standards and Guidelines for Post-Secondary Students with Mental Health Disabilities

This report outlines a series of 14 recommendations with respect to Academic Accommodations for the post-secondary sector arising from a research study carried out by researchers from Queen’s University and St. Lawrence College. Funding for this project was provided by the Ontario Ministry of Training, Colleges and Universities under the Mental Health Innovation Fund.

OHRC’s Policy on Accessible Education

This policy, produced by the Ontario Human Rights Commission, contain the Commission’s interpretation of provisions of the Ontario Human Rights Code relating to discrimination against students because of disability. This document outlines how individuals, employers, service providers and policy makers should act to ensure compliance with the Code.

Guide to Planning Inclusive Meetings and Conferences

This guide, available through the Human Resources and Skills Development Canada, provides practical tips and advice to ensure the full participation of persons with disabilities in meetings and conferences.

Related Links

External Resources on Gender Identity and Gender Expression

OHRC’s Policy on Preventing Discrimination because of Gender Identity and Gender Expression

This policy outlines the Ontario Human Rights Commission’s position with respect to preventing discrimination because of gender identity and gender expression.