FAQ

Inclusive design doesn’t mean you’re designing one thing for all people. You’re designing a diversity of ways to participate so that everyone has a sense of belonging.

- Susan Goltsman

The Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act, or AODA , aims to identify, remove, and prevent barriers for people with disabilities.

Government of Ontario

https://www.aoda.ca/the-act/

If you're in Ontario, most likely.

The requirements and deadlines you need to follow depend on the type and size of your organization. You are exempt if you are self-employed and do not have employees. We can help you navigate digital compliance issues for the following sectors:

• businesses or non-profits

• public sector organizations

What some companies don’t know is that they already need to be compliant! Don’t get caught with a beautiful website, but it’s not accessible to a majority of Ontarians.

• Beginning January 1, 2014: new public websites, significantly refreshed websites and any web content posted after January 1, 2012, must meet Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) 2.0 Level A

• Beginning January 1, 2021: all public websites and web content posted after January 1, 2012, must meet WCAG 2.0 Level AA other than criteria 1.2.4 (live captions) and 1.2.5 (pre-recorded audio descriptions)

• “Accessibility rules for businesses and non-profits” (Source: https://www.ontario.ca/page/accessibility-rules-businesses-and-non-profits)

Plain and simple, people with disabilities encompass the single largest (target) demographic worldwide (roughly ~1.1 billion people). It's easy to create experiences without planning and thought. This approach excludes so, so many - but typically it's fast and cheap.

By being inclusive and focusing on accessibility sets you apart and is your market differentiator - simply by giving access to those who previously didn't in meaningful ways always drives growth and is your R.O.I. for accessible efforts.

1. Enhanced User Experience

Inclusive website design places the user at the center of the design process, resulting in a seamless and enjoyable experience for all visitors. By prioritizing accessibility features such as intuitive navigation, readable content, and adaptable layouts, we ensure that every user can interact with our clients' websites effortlessly. This inclusivity fosters a positive user experience, increasing engagement, longer visit durations, and higher conversion rates.

2. Expanded Reach and Market Share

By implementing inclusive design principles, businesses can tap into previously untapped markets and expand their reach. Inclusive websites cater to a broader audience, including individuals with disabilities, older adults, non-native English speakers, and those using assistive technologies. By embracing diversity and inclusivity, businesses can connect with new users, increase brand loyalty, and gain a competitive edge in the market.

3. Compliance with Accessibility Standards

Inclusive website design goes hand in hand with accessibility standards, such as the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG). These guidelines provide a framework for creating accessible web content, ensuring that websites are usable by individuals with disabilities. By adhering to these standards, businesses improve user experience and demonstrate their commitment to inclusivity and social responsibility.

To create an inclusive website that resonates with users, it's crucial to incorporate the following principles:

1. Perceivable

Content should be presented in multiple formats, allowing users to consume it through various senses. Incorporating alternative text for images, providing video captions, and ensuring clear colour contrasts are just a few ways to make content more perceivable.

2. Operable

Websites should be easy to navigate and operate, regardless of the user's physical abilities. Offering keyboard navigation, minimizing the need for precise mouse movements, and providing logical and consistent page structures are ways to enhance operability.

3. Understandable

Users should be able to understand and comprehend the information presented on the website. Using clear and concise language, logically organizing content, and providing helpful error messages contribute to improved understandability.

4. Robust

Websites should be built using technologies that adapt to different user agents and assistive technologies. Employing robust coding practices, using semantic HTML, and adhering to web standards ensure that websites remain accessible and future-proof.

Not Yet.

WCAG 2.0 was published in 2008, and the latest iteration — WCAG 2.1 — was published ten years later, in 2018. WCAG 2.2 is expected to be published in 2023, and WCAG 3.0 is still a few years away. One of the primary goals of WCAG is “harmonization” — to provide a comprehensive, globally-recognized set of standards, which is crucial to making online content more accessible everywhere.