Accessibility starts with clear communication. It isn’t only about tags, alt text, colour contrast or whether a PDF passes an accessibility checker. It’s also about whether people can find, understand and use the information you’re giving them. Accessibility Standards Canada has published CAN-ASC-3.1:2025 – Plain Language, a National Standard of Canada that provides guidance for … Read more
Recently, I completed a website accessibility review for a community-based organization with more than 100 public-facing web pages. Like many organizations, they had invested significant time and effort into creating an attractive website with helpful content, programs, and resources. The website looked modern, was regularly updated, and provided valuable information to the community. However, accessibility … Read more
Canada’s New Accessible Service Delivery Standard: Moving Beyond Compliance During National AccessAbility Week 2026, Accessibility Standards Canada released a new national standard: ASC-5.2.1 Accessible Service Delivery. The standard provides organizations with a practical framework for delivering services that people of all abilities can access, understand, and use. While accessibility is often associated with websites, documents, … Read more
Accessibility conversations have changed significantly over the last few years. What was once considered a specialized requirement is now becoming a standard expectation across publishing, communications, and digital content creation. Organizations are increasingly recognizing that accessible documents benefit everyone — not just users with disabilities. Clear structure, readable layouts, proper heading hierarchy, descriptive links, sufficient … Read more
Accessibility continues to evolve, and 2025 has brought some important developments that impact how we design and deliver content. Whether you’re creating documents, managing digital communications, or planning events, keeping up with accessibility standards ensures you’re reaching everyone — and staying compliant. Here are a few key updates and trends we’re tracking this year: 1. … Read more
The Latest Updates on AODA: Advancing Accessibility in Ontario As the world becomes more aware of the importance of accessibility, Ontario is taking strides to ensure inclusivity for everyone. The Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA) continues to evolve, bringing new guidelines and requirements that affect businesses, government entities, and organizations across the province. … Read more
A notable case study related to AODA compliance failure involves the Ottawa-based health and wellness company, Global Health Systems (GHS). This case illustrates how even organizations within industries focused on health and wellness can face significant challenges and consequences due to accessibility shortcomings. Case Study: Global Health Systems and AODA Compliance Failure Background In 2020, … Read more
Accessibility and AODA (Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act) These developments highlight the ongoing efforts to enhance accessibility and ensure inclusivity across various sectors. Staying informed and proactive about compliance can help organizations meet their obligations under AODA and contribute to a more accessible society.
Case Study: The Cost of Non-Compliance with AODA in Canada Accessibility in the digital and physical world has become more than just a legal obligation; it is a moral responsibility to ensure everyone, regardless of ability, has equal access. The Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA) sets the standard in Ontario, Canada, for making … Read more
The primary goal of Global Accessibility Awareness Day (GAAD) is to raise awareness about digital accessibility and inclusion. The emphasis is on initiating conversations and encouraging people to recognize the importance of accessibility in promoting the inclusion of over 1 billion people with disabilities worldwide. I. Access to Content The primary goal of the Internet … Read more