Understanding AODA and ADA Compliance

The Accessibility for Ontarians Disability Act (AODA) was created by the Government of Ontario to identify any possible access barriers for Ontarians with disabilities, as well as implementing practices and procedures to prevent future barriers. This does not only apply to physical disabilities, but any limitations involving senses or comprehension as well. The main objective of the Ontarians with Disabilities Act is accessibility, which applies to both the outside world as well as the internet. To comply with the AODAs requirements, all aspects of the internet (sites, browsers, apps, etc) must prevent any access barriers that could occur.

While this is something that site owners can do voluntarily if possible, the enforcement of AODA makes these changes mandatory. One of the benefits of AODA is that certain practices such as accessibility training for employees become mandatory, but this also brings penalties for those who ignore or refuse to address these policies. The goal of this disability act is to make the accessibility for Ontarians with disabilities improve much faster. Making the penalties more severe is a way of allowing all forms of accessibility to be immediately addressed and changed.