This is Part 3 of a 3-part series
In Part 1 and Part 2 of this series, the Accessibility Directorate of Ontario answered questions regarding websites being significantly refreshed, mobile apps and micro-sites.
Here is the last question we posed to them. To see who falls under a "Large Organization" or "Designated Public Sector Organization" or "Small Organization"; see Part 1 and Part 2 of this Series.
Question: What are the obligations of a Large Organization, a Designated Public Sector Organization and a Small Organization if it is asked to make its website accessible?
Answer: Organizations have to meet requirements for accessible websites as outlined in the table below. In addition, organizations will have to meet requirements under Section 12 to provide accessible formats and communications supports to people with disabilities upon request. This may include providing accessible formats or communications supports for information that is posted online.
| Organization Type | Section 14 – Accessible Websites and Web Content | Section 12 – Accessible Formats and Communications Supports |
| Designated public sector organizations | Beginning January 1, 2014 – new
internet websites and web content on those sites must conform with
WCAG 2.0 Level A Beginning January 1, 2021 – all internet websites and web content must conform with WCAG 2.0 Level AA (other than live captions and pre-recorded audio descriptions) Applies only to web content published after January 1, 2012 |
Obligated to meet requirements in Section 12 starting January 1, 2015 (for organizations with 50 or more employees) or January 1, 2016 (for organizations with 1-49 employees) |
| Large private and not-for-profit organizations with 50 or more employees | Beginning January 1, 2014 – new
internet websites and web content on those sites must conform with
WCAG 2.0 Level A Beginning January 1, 2021 – all internet websites and web content must conform with WCAG 2.0 Level AA (other than live captions and pre-recorded audio descriptions) Applies only to web content published after January 1, 2012 |
Obligated to meet requirements in Section 12 starting January 1, 2016 |
| Private and not-for-profit organizations with 1-49 or more employees | No obligations | Obligated to meet requirements in Section 12 starting January 1, 2017 |
Additional information on requirements related to accessible websites and accessible formats/communications supports are available in the following resources:
- Integrated Accessibility Standards Regulation Policy Guidelines (see Section 12- Accessible Formats and Communications Supports; and Section 14- Accessible Websites and Web Content).
- Integrated Accessibility Standards Regulation (O. Reg. 191/11)
To help organizations more easily understand and prepare to meet their obligations under the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act, 2005 ("AODA"), the government has created an AODA Compliance Wizard. The Wizard asks organizations to answer a series of questions and provides them with a personalized list of requirements that they must comply with, as well as additional tools and resources such as information documents and best practices. The Wizard is available at the following link: AODA Compliance Wizard.
The content of this article is intended to provide a general guide to the subject matter. Specialist advice should be sought about your specific circumstances.