A new AODA requirement for Ontario websites will come into force on January 1st, 2021. Under the Information and Communications Standards, organizations must make their websites and web-based apps accessible. Organizations must do so by making their websites compliant with Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) 2.0, Level AA. This international standard gives web developers guidelines on how to make their webpages accessible to computer users with disabilities. Moreover, accessible websites must be compatible with hardware and software that make computers and other smart devices accessible. Here we outline some software programs that support web accessibility.
AODA Resources
Resources on issues of accessibility and the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA)
Hardware that Supports Web Accessibility
A new AODA requirement for Ontario websites will come into force on January 1st, 2021. Under the Information and Communications Standards, organizations must make their websites and web-based apps accessible. Organizations must do so by making their websites compliant with Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) 2.0, Level AA. This international standard gives web developers guidelines on how to make their webpages accessible to computer users with disabilities. Moreover, accessible websites must be compatible with hardware and software that make computers and other smart devices accessible. Here we outline some hardware that supports web accessibility.
New AODA Requirement for Ontario Websites
A new AODA requirement for Ontario websites will come into force on January 1st, 2021. The requirement applies to large private sector organizations, as well as public sector organizations with:
Organizations must ensure the accessibility of any web content that they own. In addition, any content that they do not own, but have control over as a third party, must also be accessible. This new AODA requirement for Ontario websites applies to web content created in 2012 or later.
Implementing the Third Review of the AODA
Every four years, the Lieutenant Governor of Ontario appoints someone to review the AODA. This reviewer spends time meeting with the public, especially people with disabilities, discussing possible improvements the AODA might need. Based on this public feedback, the reviewer writes a report about how effective the AODA and its mandates are. In addition, the reviewer recommends steps the government can take to improve the Act. However, in order for this process to be useful, the government needs to take these steps for implementing the third review of the AODA.
Suggestions in the Third Review of the AODA
Every four years, the Lieutenant Governor of Ontario appoints someone to review the AODA. Moreover, this reviewer spends time meeting with the public, especially people with disabilities, discussing possible improvements the AODA might need. As a result, the reviewer writes a report about how effective the AODA and its mandates are. During public meetings for the third review of the AODA, attendees outlined many barriers that people with disabilities face. More improvements to the AODA would help to remove existing barriers and prevent future ones. Therefore, in addition to direct recommendations, Onley’s review also includes discussion of these barriers and suggestions from attendees about how to remove them. This article lists the suggestions in the third review of the AODA.