Are you ready to meet the upcoming accessibility deadlines?
With 2021 fast approaching, be sure you are set to meet upcoming accessibility deadlines in Ontario.
Accessible websites and web content
As of January 1, 2021, organizations with 50 or more employees must ensure that their public facing websites and web content are accessible and compliant with the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) 2.0 Level AA (excluding live captioning and pre-recorded audio descriptions). The WCAG guidelines can be found here.
Content that has been on a website prior to 2012 does not have to be modified to comply, but it must be provided in an alternate format if requested.
Non-compliance could result in fines of up to $100,000 per day that, so it’s important for businesses to comply.
Accessibility compliance report
Organizations with 20 or more employees must submit an accessibility compliance report confirming they have met their accessibility requirements under the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA). Those that do not comply risk substantial financial fines and other enforcement measures. The Government of Ontario recently extended the filing deadline to June 30, 2021.
Are you among the many Canadian organizations who are leaders in applying accessibility standards? Be sure you are aware of your obligations under the AODA, audit your website, and take necessary steps to meet the deadlines. You may find it helpful to work with accessibility experts to ensure compliance, and to reach out to the government’s accessibility office with any questions.
