Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA) is one of the most prominent accessibility standards that have been laid down to meet the rights of disabled citizens of Ontario. It ensures that all the businesses (governmental and non-governmental) having websites must abide by AODA website compliance, failure of which can cost them heftily. In this article, you will get a detailed understanding of AODA website compliance.
What is the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA)?
AODA was formed in 2005 to ensure that all the accessibility standards in line with website compliance are duly met in Ontario. The objective is to also ensure that disabled citizens of Ontario get all the rights to access the websites and applications without any obstruction whatsoever.
After years of striving by advocacy groups, in 2001, the Ontarians with Disabilities Act was passed by the provincial government. This act states that websites and workplaces should be disabled-friendly and there should be no barriers for Disabled Ontarian citizens when it comes to accessing websites, applications and workplaces. But, though it was a win-win situation, the act applied to only government ministries.
By putting in further consistent efforts, finally AODA was passed in 2005, which is an improvement over the Ontarians with Disabilities Act that was passed in 2001. The existing accessibility policy was improved by laying out clear rules, enforcement systems, deadlines and penalties. For this reason, AODA website compliance is having a huge value in terms of implementation.
The requirements for AODA:
The AODA is aligned with the WCAG 2.0 guidelines from W3C. WCAG (Web Content Accessibility Guidelines) is a set of International web accessibility standards that must be adhered to by those organizations and individuals that are responsible for developing websites. Organizations and individuals must also ensure that the websites are in line with AODA website compliance, which means they should cater to accessibility standards that fulfill the needs of disabled citizens.
WCAG has been globally accepted as a trademark when it comes to developing accessible websites. Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act must work according to the rules and regulations of WCAG. Accessibility testing is also one of the important criteria that need to be considered. Accessibility testing enhances the overall efficiency of a website or application from an accessibility standpoint.
The institutions that need to comply with AODA:
If a business has been registered in Ontario, then the business must be aligned with AODA website compliance. As per the guidelines of AODA Part II, it states clearly that all private and governmental websites, whether they are run by corporations and individuals must comply with the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act.
The Accessibility Standards Advisory Council has been set up by AODA that provides strategic advice about future accessibility policy to the Ontarian government. The updates and reforms have been recommended by the council that is in line with AODA accessibility requirements. Ontario-based businesses must be always aware of the changes being made to the accessibility standards so that they can comply with the same.
Verifying AODA website compliance:
The website needs to be audited by website managers and business owners using an AODA compliance checker like accessScan and other popular accessibility testing tools. These tools provide detailed reports of both compliance and accessibility levels.
The team needs to understand the accessibility related barriers that are obstructing the website’s accessibility features. Then the team can make a strategic plan of action and use specific tools to ensure that the website complies with AODA guidelines.
If Ontario-based business owners do not comply with AODA then they will be liable to pay hefty fees that are known as “penalties.”
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