AODA Website Compliance Requirements for Ontario

The Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA) has a January 1, 2021 compliance deadline for public sector and large organizations.

(For help with website and web application AODA compliance services including audits, email me at kris@accessible.org.)

With the 2021 deadline, here is a summary of the key AODA requirements that concern web accessibility (i.e., websites, web content, and web-based apps) as taken from Ontario.ca full text of the regulation.

Update: Compliance Report Extension

For businesses and non-profits with 20 or more employees, the deadline to file an accessibility compliance report has been extended to June 30, 2021.

Note: This deadline extension is for the compliance report, not for compliance itself.

Summary

• The Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) 2.0 AA is the technical standard for web compliance
• Websites and web content including apps (web-based applications) must comply
• Larger entities must establish and maintain an accessibility policy and plan and make it publicly available on their website. The documents should be accessible or, at a minimum, provided in an accessible format upon request.
• Accessibility training must be provided to employees, volunteers, and those who provide goods and services on behalf of the organization
• The compliance deadline for the Government of Ontario and Legislative Assembly has passed (January 1, 2020)
• January 1, 2021 is the deadline for compliance for public sector organizations and large organizations (50 or more employees in Ontario)

Who Must Comply?

Any entity that provides goods, services, or facilities to the public and has one or more employees in Ontario. Also, the Government of Ontario, Legislative Assembly, and all designated public sector organizations.

Information and Communication Standards

Feedback

• Feedback and support processes must be made accessible
• Notification of accessible formats and support must be made to the public
• Any requests must be responded to in a timely manner
• The person making a request shall be consulted in determining whether the document format or support is acceptable

Web Content

• The Government and Legislative Assembly must already conform to WCAG 2.0 AA (January 1, 2020)
• Public sector and large organizations must conform to WCAG 2.0 AA by January 1, 2021
• There are two exceptions to WCAG 2.0 AA conformance: success criteria 1.2.4 (live captions) and 1.2.5 (audio descriptions)
• Conformance applies to websites and web content published after Jan 1, 2012, including web-based applications that an organization controls

Read a quick WCAG 2.0 AA checklist to get a preview of the updates to your website.

Accessibility Policies Requirement

Every organization must develop, implement, and maintain public-facing policies for how they achieve accessibility.

A statement of commitment to meet accessibility needs of persons with disabilities is also required of obligated organizations other than small organizations.

Accessibility Plan Requirement

A multi-year accessibility plan that outlines strategy on how to prevent and remove barriers and meet AODA requirements must be established and maintained by the Government, Legislative Assembly, public sector Organizations, and large organizations.

This accessibility plan must be available on the entity’s website and be provided in an accessible format upon request.

This plan must be reviewed and updated every five years, at a minimum.

Further, the Government, Legislative Assembly, and public sector organizations must consult with disabilities in the planning process.

An annual status report on the progress of measures taken to implement the plan and comply with the AODA must also be prepared and posted on the website.

Training

AODA and Human Rights Code training must be provided for everyone who:

• is an employee or volunteer
• participates in developing organizational policies
• provides good, services, or facilities on behalf of the organization

A record of training (that includes dates and participants) must be kept by the Government, Legislative Assembly, public sector organizations, and large organizations.

Procurement

Large and small organizations must “have regard” to accessibility when procuring kiosks.

The Government of Ontario, Legislative Assembly, and public sector organizations must incorporate accessibility in procurement of goods, services, facilities, and self-service kiosks.

A kiosk is an electronic terminal that is for public use.

Services and Consultants

There are a number of providers who can provide you with digital accessibility services including audits, consultation, training, and help with creating your accessibility policy and plan to ensure your organization is compliant with the AODA.

Contact me at kris@accessible.org for help with your digital assets.

Learn about the ADA compliance for websites legal landscape and products and services marketplace.

Would you like to certify your website’s accessibility? Read my guide to ADA web certification.

Working on WCAG 2.2 conformance? Study the latest version of the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines with my WCAG 2.2 guidelines overview.

Are you new to ADA compliance and website accessibility? Read my WCAG for beginners introduction.

Researching VPATs? Read why you should know what an ACR or accessibility conformance report is. My Voluntary Product Accessibility Template is essential for procurement teams.

The Americans with Disabilities Act is just one of the laws that concerns website accessibility. Read my 504 compliance website and 508 compliance website guides. These guides help government agencies, recipients of funding, and other organizations that must comply with Section 504 and 508.