What are web accessibility standards and laws in Canada?
Tags: software
Published: 2023-03-02 07:27:46

Interfaces are properly developed using the web accessibility approach. This, in turn, makes sure that all kinds of users including disabled users can also easily use these websites and web applications. Canada has made it mandatory for businesses and government agencies to abide by web accessibility standards and laws, which will in turn help in reaching a wider audience across the country. The disabled community will be highly benefitted as they will use and access online information that can be of great help in meeting their specific requirements. In this article, you will get to know about web accessibility standards and laws in Canada.

## What are web accessibility laws?

The Canadian Human Rights Act was put into practice so that discrimination can be prohibited in many forms. While accessibility requirements were not specifically addressed, but, it has been interpreted in such a manner that organizations need to make websites that are in line with **[Canadian accessibility standards](https://www.testingxperts.com/blog/canada-accessibility-standards/ca-en)**. A reputed accessibility testing company can prove to be a strategic advantage in simplifying the laws, providing a proper structure, and making the entire accessibility process easier to understand. 

**Following is a list of important laws that govern Canadian accessibility standards:**

**1. The Canadian human rights act:** Discrimination is prohibited against anyone based on their gender, religion, ethnicity, health, and other protected characteristics. The regional legislation provides more specific provisions. 

**2. The Employment equity act:** This law focuses on adhering to certain rules for providing services (including those presented on websites) and information to disabled people and providing specific regard to employers along with their employees. 

**3. The Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms:** This is the first of the Canadian content laws and is considered to be a part of the Canadian constitution. The provisions are described that protect the freedoms and rights of all people.

**4. **[Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act](https://www.testingxperts.com/blog/aoda-compliance/ca-en)** (AODA):** This law applies to all disabled citizens of Ontario and has been in effect since 2005. A whole list of standards is defined for both private and public institutions. The accessibility policy of the services (including online sources for information) is provided by organizations that have an employee size of fifty or more employees.

**5. The Accessible Canada Act (ACA) Bill C-81:** This Act was introduced in 2018 to the Canadian parliament. The provisions for equal opportunity for disabled Canadian citizens are described. There are specific rules describing the removal of pre-existing barriers to information consumption by these groups (including information on the Internet). 

If the policies of Bill C-81 are not complied with then a fine of up to $250,000 needs to be paid by federal agencies. The bill was passed and in 2019 it took full effect throughout Canada.

**6. The Accessibility for Manitobans Act (AMA):** This law is in effect since 2013 and applies to Manitoba residents. Optimizing the existing institutions for disabled people is included in the local government’s plan. The government is also focused on increasing the level of convenience of services by 2023. Five standards are described in this act. 

**7. Nova Scotia accessibility act:** This act is in effect since 2017 and includes six standards. One of the important standards is the accessibility of web resources for disabled people. The framework requirements are already determined wherein the public using the web resources must comply with certain specific rules. 
A reputed accessibility testing company can be of great help in formulating policies, plans, acts, and laws relating to web accessibility standards.

**Conclusion:** If you are looking forward to implementing accessibility testing for your specific project, then do get connected with a well-established software testing services company that will provide you with pragmatic testing solutions that are in line with your project-specific requirements.