Why is digital accessibility important in the digital space?
Digital accessibility means that websites, apps, and digital documents are usable by everyone, regardless of disabilities. It’s an essential foundation for digital participation and equal opportunity.
What is digital accessibility?
Digital accessibility refers to designing digital products in such a way that people with physical, sensory, or cognitive impairments can use them independently. This includes making websites compatible with screen readers, ensuring content has sufficient contrast, and adding subtitles to videos. Accessibility is not a web design trend, but rather a prerequisite for future-proof digital offerings. It benefits not only people with disabilities but also older users and people with temporary limitations. Accessible design also improves usability for users with slow internet connections or mobile devices.
Accessibility involves technical, content-related, and visual design aspects. Key features include keyboard operability and avoiding flashing elements in web design. When designing a website or piece of software, accessibility must be built in from the very beginning and considered throughout the entire project lifecycle. It’s a hallmark of quality and is increasingly required by law.
Legal framework in Canada
Canada has enacted significant legislation to ensure digital accessibility across federal and provincial jurisdictions. While the specific requirements can vary, the overarching goal is to remove barriers for people with disabilities in the digital space.
Accessible Canada Act (ACA)
The Accessible Canada Act (ACA) came into force in 2019, with the goal of creating a Canada without barriers by 2040. This federal legislation applies to all entities regulated by the federal government, including federal departments and agencies, Crown corporations, federally regulated private sector organizations (e.g., banks, telecommunications companies, transportation), and Parliament.
The ACA mandates the proactive identification, removal, and prevention of barriers in several areas, including information and communication technologies (ICT). This specifically covers websites, mobile applications, and digital documents. Organizations subject to the ACA are required to develop and publish accessibility plans, establish feedback processes, and report on their progress. While the ACA does not directly enforce WCAG as a standard, its regulations often refer to it as a benchmark for compliance.
Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA)
Ontario’s Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA) was enacted in 2005 with the aim of making Ontario barrier-free by 2025. It is one of the most comprehensive provincial accessibility laws in Canada and applies to public sector organizations, as well as private and non-profit organizations operating in Ontario.
The AODA includes specific accessibility standards for Information and Communications, which directly address digital content. As of January 1, 2021, all public websites and web content posted after January 1, 2012, must conform to WCAG 2.0 Level AA. This makes WCAG 2.0 AA a legally mandated standard for many organizations within Ontario. The AODA also requires accessibility policies, training, and feedback processes.
Other Provincial Legislation
While the AODA is a leading example, other Canadian provinces are also developing or have implemented their own accessibility legislation. These provincial acts often have varying compliance timelines and may reference WCAG or similar standards. Businesses operating across Canada should be aware of both federal and relevant provincial requirements.
| Province/Territory | Act Name | Enactment Year | Key Focus/Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| British Columbia | Accessible BC Act | 2021 | Aims to identify, prevent and remove barriers in various areas, including information and communication. |
| Manitoba | The Accessibility for Manitobans Act (AMA) | 2013 | Establishes accessibility standards in key areas, including information and communications. |
| Nova Scotia | Accessibility Act | 2017 | Committed to making Nova Scotia accessible by 2030, covering areas like information and communication. |
| Quebec | Act to secure handicapped persons in the exercise of their rights with a view to their autonomy, integration and participation in society | 1978 (undergoing updates for digital accessibility) | Older legislation, but undergoing modernization to address digital accessibility. |
These provincial acts often have varying compliance timelines and may reference WCAG or similar standards. Businesses operating across Canada should be aware of both federal and relevant provincial requirements.
WCAG (Web Content Accessibility Guidelines)
The WCAG Web Content Accessibility Guidelines are international guidelines for the accessibility of web content. Although not legally binding on its own in all contexts, the WCAG are widely recognized in Canada as the de facto standard for digital accessibility. As noted above, they are frequently referenced in federal and provincial legislation, regulations, and best practices.
The guidelines are published by the Web Accessibility Initiative (WAI) of the W3C Consortium. Originally introduced in 1999, they have been available in version 2.2 since 2023. The guidelines themselves outline key principles for achieving accessibility and provide clear, actionable recommendations. In addition, the WCAG define three levels of conformance used to evaluate digital accessibility: A (minimum), AA (recommended), and AAA (optimal).
Overview of key regulations in Canada
| Regulation | Applicability | Scope | Minimum Standard |
|---|---|---|---|
| Accessible Canada Act (ACA) | Since 2019 | Federally regulated entities (Canada-wide) | Regulations often reference WCAG |
| AODA (Ontario) | Since 2005 (specific ICT dates vary) | Public/private entities (Ontario) | WCAG 2.0 AA (for most web content) |
| WCAG | International | Global (referenced in Canada) | WCAG 2.2 AA (2023) |
How to understand the WCAG guidelines
The WCAG guidelines are based on four key principles known by the acronym POUR:
- Perceivable: Users should be able to access and experience the content through at least one of their senses.
- Operable: Users should be able to navigate and interact with all features using a keyboard.
- Understandable: The content and navigation should be clear and easy to follow.
- Robust: The content should be compatible with a wide range of technology.
These principles are essential because they outline the four core requirements that digital content must meet to be accessible to everyone. From a technical standpoint, this includes things like proper HTML structure, keyboard navigation, adequate color contrast, alt text, user-friendly forms, and compatibility with assistive technologies.
Want to dive deeper into WCAG? Check out our in-depth article on WCAG accessibility guidelines.
What types of digital content need to be accessible?
Digital accessibility applies to a wide range of online content, not just in the public sector but increasingly in the private sector as well.
Key areas include:
- Websites, including navigation, structure, alternative texts, and keyboard support
- Mobile apps
- PDF and Office documents, such as forms and brochures that must be properly tagged and readable
- E-learning platforms
- E-commerce websites like online stores and booking systems, which are increasingly covered by accessibility legislation
- Digital communication tools
- Self-service terminals, such as ticket machines and check-in kiosks
- Multimedia content, including videos and podcasts with captions, transcripts, and audio descriptions
- Online forms and applications also require a clear structure, help texts, and keyboard usability
What are the benefits of digital accessibility?
Digital accessibility isn’t just a legal necessity. It brings tangible benefits to businesses and users alike.
Greater reach: Accessible products and services reach people with disabilities, older users, and those with temporary limitations (e.g., from injuries or stressful environments), expanding your potential audience.
Improved usability: Accessible websites and apps are better structured, easier to navigate, and more intuitive for all users.
Search engine optimization (SEO): Many accessibility features — such as clean header structures, alt texts, and semantic HTML — also improve search engine rankings.
Brand reputation and social responsibility: Accessible content shows your commitment to inclusion and corporate social responsibility.
Future-proofing and legal compliance: Implementing accessibility now prepares you for future regulations and minimizes the risk of lawsuits or penalties.
How to implement accessibility step by step
Successfully implementing digital accessibility requires a structured and holistic approach. The following steps will help you meet legal requirements while creating a more inclusive user experience.
Step 1: Awareness and goal setting
Familiarize yourself with the basics of digital accessibility. Determine which regulations (e.g., ACA, AODA, or other provincial acts) apply to your organization and set clear goals. These could be to build an accessible online store or ensure your entire website is usable by everyone.
Step 2: Planning and concept
Design new projects with accessibility in mind from the start. Use accessible web design principles, namely clear navigation, plain language, and responsive design. Choose an accessible CMS such as Plone, Contao, papaya CMS, or a well-configured WordPress setup.
Step 3: Technical implementation
Base your implementation on WCAG 2.1 (at least level AA) or higher if required by specific regulations (e.g., AODA). Use clean, semantic HTML, correct ARIA roles, accessible form fields (e.g., with the <label> tag, and ensure complete keyboard navigation. Make all components accessible.
Step 4: Testing and evaluation
Conduct both automated and manual accessibility testing. Use screen readers, simulate color blindness, and ideally include users with disabilities in your testing. Also test tools like OCR software and QR code readers.
Step 5: Ongoing maintenance and monitoring
Accessibility doesn’t end when you go live. Keep your content updated, test regularly, and stay on top of legal requirements. Your site will only stay accessible with ongoing maintenance.
How to avoid typical accessibility pitfalls
Many websites and digital applications still fall short of basic digital accessibility standards. Typical issues include missing alt text for images, forms that can’t be navigated using a keyboard, or low color contrast that makes content hard to read. PDF documents are often poorly structured and unreadable by screen readers. Videos frequently lack captions or audio descriptions, and vague link labels like “click here” or confusing navigation only make things more difficult for users.
For this reason, accessibility should be part of the development process from the very beginning. Making changes later on can also be more costly and time-consuming. It’s equally important to check any third-party content or embedded tools to make sure they meet accessibility standards.
Conclusion
Digital accessibility is a key component of inclusion and essential for equal participation in digital life. It is a legal obligation and significantly improves the user experience for everyone. In the long term, both businesses and government agencies benefit from increased reach, a stronger reputation, and reduced legal risks.
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