WCAG Web Accessibility compliance support.

In this context, accessibility and/or accessible website design refers to how easily people with disabilities can use and interact with your website and digital content. An accessible website is designed and maintained so that users with different abilities can:

• Navigate and understand content using assistive technologies such as screen readers
• Use a keyboard instead of a mouse
• Read and interact with content that has sufficient contrast and clear structure
• Access forms, menus, and interactive elements without barriers
• Consume video and audio content with appropriate alternatives such as captions or transcripts

Accessibility is not only about technical compliance. It is about ensuring your website works reliably for real people with a wide range of needs and assistive tools. From a compliance perspective, accessibility is measured against recognized standards such as the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG), which are referenced by accessibility legislation in Canada and the United States.

Because websites evolve over time, accessibility must be maintained continuously. New content, design updates, and third-party tools can unintentionally introduce barriers if they are not monitored and addressed. Our accessibility services focus on maintaining usability, reducing risk, and supporting inclusive access as part of your ongoing website management rather than treating accessibility as a one-time requirement.

Website accessibility obligations in both Canada and the United States are shaped by regional legislation, provincial/federal laws, and legal interpretations that apply accessibility principles to digital content. Most frameworks do not explicitly list “all websites must be accessible,” but they do require that organizations offering goods, services, programs, or information to the public make those online offerings accessible to people with disabilities.

Canadian Requirements

In Ontario, the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA) requires both public sector organizations and larger private organizations to make their websites and web content accessible. This generally applies to:

• Government ministries, municipalities, and broader public sector institutions
• Private sector organizations with a workforce above reporting thresholds (for example, 50 or more employees under AODA reporting rules)
• Organizations that control or manage websites — including content they are responsible for publishing

Under AODA’s information and communications standards, affected organizations must align their web content with WCAG criteria.

Federal Canada accessibility obligations

The Accessible Canada Act (ACA) also applies to federally regulated entities such as transportation providers, banks, telecommunications companies, and Crown corporations. Under this act, federally regulated organizations are expected to identify and remove barriers to accessibility, including in digital services, and to establish accessibility plans and reporting practices. While ACA does not prescribe a specific technical standard, WCAG is commonly referenced in guidelines and expectations, and compliance reporting is required.

Other provincial legislation in Canada

Several Canadian provinces have their own accessibility laws aimed at preventing and removing barriers for people with disabilities. Examples include the Accessibility for Manitobans Act (AMA) in Manitoba, the Nova Scotia Accessibility Act, and the Accessible British Columbia Act. These frameworks often include information and communication standards that apply to digital content and may require organizations operating within those provinces to make reasonable accessibility efforts.

United States Requirements

Under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), entities that are open to the public are generally expected to provide equal access to their goods, services, and information, including through their websites. The U.S. Department of Justice and federal courts interpret this obligation to apply to most public-facing websites. This includes:

• State and local government agencies and services (Title II)
• Private businesses open to the public (Title III), such as retail stores, hotels, banks, medical practices, restaurants, entertainment venues, and other public accommodations offering online services or information
• Organizations that have a strong “nexus” between their website and their physical services or products
  Courts have interpreted the ADA’s reach to cover websites that serve as digital access points for the entity’s offerings, and non-compliance with accessibility expectations can lead to enforcement actions and litigation.

Accessibility requirements depend on your jurisdiction, industry, and organization type. Many laws in Canada and the United States reference WCAG as the standard for digital accessibility. While enforcement varies, public-facing websites are increasingly treated as part of service delivery and customer access. Our role is to help identify gaps, support remediation, and maintain alignment with recognized standards. We do not provide legal advice.

Ensuring WCAG compliance is not about achieving a one-time pass. It is about demonstrating consistent, ongoing effort as your website changes and standards evolve.

Our accessibility monitoring and remediation support helps organizations establish and maintain a defensible WCAG posture by:

• Creating a documented accessibility baseline aligned with WCAG criteria
• Continuously monitoring for new issues introduced by content updates, design changes, or third-party tools
• Prioritizing issues based on impact and risk rather than producing unfiltered scan results
• Supporting timely remediation and tracking resolution over time
• Providing reporting that demonstrates ongoing attention, progress, and improvement

This structured approach helps organizations show that accessibility is actively managed as part of normal website operations, not treated as an afterthought or a one-time project.

Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) — International accessibility standard developed by the World Wide Web Consortium (W3C). WCAG is the technical benchmark referenced in most accessibility laws and best practices.

United States Accessibility Regulations

Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) — U.S. federal civil rights law that has been interpreted to apply to digital accessibility. Note: this is a legal framework rather than a specific digital standard. 

Section 508 (Rehabilitation Act) — U.S. federal law requiring federal agencies to make electronic and information technology accessible. 

Canadian Federal and Provincial Accessibility Laws

Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA) — Ontario’s accessibility law with digital accessibility requirements.

Accessible Canada Act (ACA) — Canada’s federal accessibility law that applies to federally regulated organizations. Federal departments, banks, telecoms, transportation, etc. 

Accessibility for Manitobans Act (AMA) — Manitoba legislation addressing accessibility barriers, including information and communications. 

Nova Scotia Accessibility Act — Provincial legislation in Nova Scotia addressing accessibility, including information and communication. 

Accessible British Columbia Act — BC’s accessibility legislation aimed at removing barriers for people with disabilities.

Accessibility Act (New Brunswick) — New Brunswick’s accessibility legislation.