AODA Compliance Checklist

In making our world a more inclusive place for people with disabilities, it's crucial for different types of legislation to be implemented worldwide. Compliance with the legislation ensures that accessibility criteria are met and that people with disabilities will have equal rights.

Accessibility is crucial for online businesses and websites. Making a web page accessible for people with disabilities can often lead to higher engagement and profits. Moreover, it's beneficial for the company.

Different countries have different types of legislation. If you are an Ontario-based business or website, you've probably heard of AODA by now. So, what exactly is it?

AODA is the local law that ensures all people with disabilities have equal rights. It also has requirements for website owners.

Here you will find a comprehensive AODA compliance checklist for making your website fully- compliant.

What is AODA Compliance?

The Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act is a local law that requires organizations based in Ontario to become fully accessible for people with disabilities by 2025. The law also applies for online businesses, websites and apps.

Ontario is among the first places in the world to have such a comprehensive law. So, if you are a site owner based in Ontario, you should comply with the standards of AODA.

Who must comply with AODA?

The AODA requirements apply only for web pages and content published after January 1, 2012.

It covers the following:

• Organizations in the public sector;
• Businesses or non-profit organizations with 50 or more employees.

The specified guidelines do not apply to internal websites, but if an individual in your company demands information in an accessible format, you should provide it.

History of AODA Compliance Requirements

In 2005 the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act came into effect. The purpose is to eliminate all types of discrimination within Ontario by developing, implementing and enforcing accessibility standards. The act applies to all areas of daily life – goods, services, facilities, accommodation, employment, buildings, etc.

It also arranges the involvement of disabled people in the different industries and sectors.

The goal is for Ontario to become fully accessible by the year 2025.

The AODA Compliance act is part of the main Ontarians with Disabilities Act.

On January 1, 2021, Ontario legislation added into the AODA requirements for websites and mobile apps. Those are mandatory for every website and online content in Ontario published after January 1, 2012.

Essentially, AODA serves as additional guidelines to WCAG 2.0 – the worldwide standard for web accessibility developed by the World Wide Web Consortium (W3C). So, if you already follow the WCAG 2.0 guidelines you are probably familiar with most of the AODA requirements.

What Are The Main Requirements?

One of the first requirements by the AODA was that all organizations should have an accessibility compliance policy.

For websites, the main requirements are aimed at appearance, functionality and web content.

AODA has 5 five main standards:

• Videos should have text captions.
• All written content should have audio descriptions and text alternatives.
• Audio content should have written transcripts.
• Fonts should allow enlargement.

Another key aspect is that AODA applies also for web-based documents such as PDFs and other text documents.

AODA Compliance Checklist

In the table below we have listed some of the main requirements necessary to be AODA compliant.

Requirement

Summary

Compatibility with assistive technology

The website and information – text, image, video and audio – have to be compatible with different assistive technologies, such as screen readers, magnifiers, text-to-speech programs, etc.

Simplicity

All information has to be given in simple form. Tables should be exactly the same everywhere, navigation has to follow logical behavior, etc.

Color contrast

AODA states that the contrast ratio between text and background image has to be at least 4:5:1 for normal size and 3:1 for larger size. 3:1 also applies for graphics.

CAPTCHA alternatives

CAPTCHA is a system that is predominantly visually based, so in order to be AODA compliant, websites have to provide other means for identification

Alternative texts, Captions

Images need to have alternative texts, so they can be compatible with different assistive technologies.

Videos and audios should have captions.

Zoom In/Out

Websites should provide a zooming in function. Keep in mind that the web page has to function exactly the same way in every size and no information has to be lost.

Transcripts

Provide written transcripts for pre-recorded audio and video content.

Keyboard accessibility

Ensure the website can be navigated via keyboard only

Labeling

Be sure that all fields that require information input are labeled correctly. All labels must state clearly what is required from the user.

Avoid overwhelming design features

Websites should avoid using flashing lights, because they are known for inducing seizures. The worldwide standard is no more than 3 flashes in 60 seconds.

Predictability

Ensure all navigation is predictable, avoid using complicated gestures.

Document accessibility

All documents such as .txt or .pdf should be accessible via assistive technologies.

Time limitations

If there’s a functionality with a time limit, the website has to have an option to change the required time or stop it altogether.

Distinguishable content

All content that is color based should be accessible also in another way for people who cannot perceive color normally.

Navigable content

Users have to be able to access the content in the best way possible that meets their needs.

Lists, numbers, bullets

Providing numbered lists or with bullets can make the content more easily accessible and understandable for people with disabilities.

Tips For Ensuring full AODA compliance

AODA is essentially an extension to the worldwide standard for accessibility online, so to ensure full compliance with the Ontarian law, you can follow the W3C guidelines.

The WCAG 2.0 comes in three different levels of requirements – Levels A, AA, AAA:

• Level A – basic accessibility requirements.
• Level AA – more advanced accessibility.
• Level AAA – highest form of conformance.

To be AODA compliant, your website has to meet Level AA requirements of WCAG 2.9. To reach AA level, you must first conform to level A requirements.

One thing that you should keep in mind is that different types of accessibility requirements are not fixed. They are evolving constantly, so frequent checks are very important.

Below, we will outline some key tips on how to ensure that your website is AODA compliant:

• Assessment and assistive technology: Once your website is ready, you should do a final checkup if it meets the criteria for assistive technology usage. Make sure that the content is reachable through different types of techs such as screen readers, braille consoles, text-to-speech programs, etc.
  
  
• Real world feedback: Probably the best way to assess if your website is disability friendly is by ensuring testing from people with different types of disabilities. They can provide real world feedback that can sometimes be crucial to reaching your goal in accessibility design.
  
  
• Have a plan and roadmap: Developing a plan on how to make your website more accessible is essential. This way you can manage tasks more easily and remain confident that all the different specifics are being met. Creating a roadmap with the crucial actions can help in the long-term.

You can also enlist the help of accessibility advisers that are familiar with local law. Also, be sure that your web developer is familiar with the AODA compliance act and the WCAG 2.9 criteria.

What if you can’t comply with AODA?

Sometimes it’s not possible to meet all the Level AA requirements of WCAG 2.9.

There are different types of information that can’t be converted to make them more accessible. For example, online maps or diagrams are impossible to be remade for people with visual impairments.

In cases like these, you can still publish the content, but if someone inquires for an accessible format, you should:

• Explain why the information is not convertible in a more accessible form.
• Provide a summary for the user of the content requested.

Non compliance with AODA for Ontario based businesses and websites can lead to fines and legal action. The different types of penalties are organized in three categories based on the severity of violations: minor, moderate and major.

In the most severe cases businesses can be fined with up to $100 000 per day until all problems are resolved.

Conclusion

If you are a website owner, based in Ontario, you need to comply with the AODA guidelines. The requirements are an extension of the worldwide standard for web accessibility and an extension to the existing law for Ontarians with Disabilities.

The AODA aims to make Ontario fully accessible for people with disabilities by 2025. If your website or business is not AODA compliant, legal action and financial fines can follow.

The easiest way to make sure that your website is AODA compliant is to follow the rules and guidelines of the W3C for accessibility online. If your website is Level AA compliant, then you have met the AODA criteria.

Furthermore, making your website accessible to everybody in the community will ensure better results overall.

‍