Table of Contents
Introduction: Accessibility as a Legal and Business Imperative
Canadian Web Accessibility Standards are quickly shifting from a nice‑to‑have to a legal requirement. In January 2025 the federal government began consulting on amendments to the Accessible Canada Regulations that will require medium and large private‑sector organizations to comply with CAN/ASC‑EN 301 549:2024—a standard referencing WCAG 2.1 Level AA—by June 1 2028. Manitoba has already mandated WCAG 2.1 Level AA compliance for new web content and applications by May 1 2025. Although British Columbia doesn’t yet obligate private businesses to meet web accessibility requirements, similar standards will almost certainly arrive. BC’s own government websites already commit to meeting WCAG Level AA.
Adhering to these standards protects your organization from legal risk, enhances your reputation and widens your audience. This comprehensive guide will explain why accessibility matters, what the key standards require, how to implement them and what lessons you can learn from real Canadian examples.
Why Website Accessibility Matters for Businesses and Non‑Profits
Making your website accessible benefits everyone—customers, donors, employees and search engines. With roughly one in five Canadians living with a disability, inaccessible digital experiences exclude a significant portion of your potential audience. Beyond inclusivity, there are tangible benefits:
- Reach More People: Accessible sites accommodate users with visual, auditory, motor and cognitive disabilities.
- Enhance Trust and Brand Image: Aligning your company with social responsibility demonstrates empathy and professionalism.
- Improve SEO and Performance: Many accessibility best practices—semantic HTML, descriptive alt text, fast loading times—also improve search rankings and user experience.
- Stay Ahead of Regulations: Proactive compliance ensures you won’t be scrambling to retrofit your site when BC or federal rules come into force.
Because BC’s government websites already meet WCAG Level AA, businesses should anticipate similar obligations. Start implementing accessibility now to build an inclusive, resilient digital presence.
Legal Landscape: Accessible Canada Act, WCAG 2.1 and CAN/ASC‑EN 301 549
The Accessible Canada Act and Provincial Timelines
Enacted in 2019, the Accessible Canada Act (ACA) seeks to create a barrier‑free Canada by 2040. It currently applies to federally regulated organizations, but amendments in 2025 would extend certain requirements to medium and large private‑sector businesses by 2028. Provincial laws are catching up: Manitoba’s deadline for WCAG 2.1 Level AA compliance arrives May 1 2025, and Ontario’s Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA) already sets similar expectations. BC, Saskatchewan and Alberta are actively consulting on comparable legislation.
WCAG 2.1: The Benchmark for Digital Accessibility
The Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) are internationally recognised recommendations to make online content usable for people with disabilities. WCAG 2.1 extends earlier versions with provisions for mobile accessibility and users with low vision. It is structured around four principles: perceivable, operable, understandable and robust. Level AA addresses the most common barriers and is the standard referenced by federal and provincial legislation.
CAN/ASC‑EN 301 549: Beyond the Web Page
The proposed federal amendments reference CAN/ASC‑EN 301 549:2024, aligning Canadian Web Accessibility Standards with the European Union’s accessibility standards. It covers websites and mobile apps, software and operating systems, digital documents and real‑time communications. If your business offers e‑learning modules, downloadable checklists or digital forms, those assets must also meet accessibility requirements.
Actionable Steps: How to Make Your Site Accessible
1. Implement Semantic HTML and ARIA Landmarks
Screen readers interpret page structure through HTML tags and ARIA attributes. Use <header>, <nav>, <main> and <footer> tags to define page regions. Headings (<h1> through <h3>) should describe content hierarchy. When native HTML elements aren’t sufficient, use ARIA roles to clarify the purpose of sections like navigation or search bars.
2. Enable Keyboard Navigation
Ensure that all interactive elements—including menus, buttons, accordions and carousels—are operable via keyboard alone. Test by using the Tab, Shift+Tab and Enter keys. Provide a visible focus indicator so users can see where they are on the page.
3. Use Accessible Colour Schemes and Contrast Ratios
WCAG 2.1 requires a contrast ratio of at least 4.5:1 for normal text and 3:1 for large text. Use tools like WebAIM’s Contrast Checker to evaluate your colour palette. Avoid relying solely on colour to convey information; pair colours with icons or text labels.
4. Provide Alt Text and Transcripts
Each image should include descriptive alt text that conveys its purpose. For decorative images, use an empty alt attribute (alt=""). Provide captions and transcripts for videos and audio content. These practices improve accessibility and boost your site’s SEO by giving search engines more context.
5. Create Accessible Forms and Error Messages
Forms should have explicit <label> elements linked to their corresponding inputs. Provide clear instructions, indicate required fields and display error messages in text (not just colour). Use ARIA roles like aria-required to inform screen readers.
6. Optimise for Mobile and Responsive Design
Ensure your site adapts to various screen sizes and devices. Use flexible layouts, scalable fonts and touch-friendly controls. WCAG 2.1 specifically addresses mobile accessibility, so your responsive design must follow the same principles.
7. Improve Performance and Sustainability
Fast-loading sites enhance user experience, reduce bounce rates and benefit users on assistive technologies. Compress images, use lazy loading, minimise JavaScript and leverage browser caching. Sustainable web design reduces your digital carbon footprint and improves performance.
8. Test with Assistive Technologies and Real Users
Automated tools like WAVE and Lighthouse identify basic issues, but manual testing is critical. Use screen readers (NVDA, VoiceOver) and keyboard-only navigation to ensure your site functions correctly. Involve users with disabilities in your testing process; their feedback is invaluable.
9. Publish an Accessibility Statement and Feedback Mechanism
Publish a clear accessibility statement that outlines which standards you meet (e.g., WCAG 2.1 AA) and how users can report issues. Include a form or contact email so visitors can alert you to problems.
Case Study 1: Accessibility Standards Canada – A Model of Compliance
The Canadian Web Accessibility Standards website (accessible.canada.ca) sets a strong example of compliance:
- Standards Compliance: All pages meet WCAG 2.0 or higher and use structured semantic mark‑up with H1, H2 and H3 tags.
- ARIA Landmarks: The site identifies major sections—Search, Navigation, Main and Content info—using ARIA roles.
- Skip Links and Meaningful Anchors: The first link on every page is “Skip to main content,” enabling keyboard users to bypass navigation. Links are written so they make sense out of context.
- Alt Text and Flexible Design: All images have alternative text, and the site uses relative font sizes for easy resizing. Information conveyed with colour is also available without colour.
- No Reliance on JavaScript: Content and form validation are usable without JavaScript.
By following these practices, Canadian Web Accessibility Standards Canada demonstrates how to create a beautiful and inclusive site that meets the highest standards.
Case Study 2: RBC’s Job Application Site – A Work in Progress
Even Canada’s leading organizations can fall short of the current Canadian Web Accessibility Standards. In RBC’s 2023–2026 Accessibility Plan, the bank acknowledges that its job application site does not yet meet web content accessibility guidelines. RBC identifies the following barriers and commits to improvements:
- Barrier: The job application site lacks certain accessibility features; RBC plans to review all job application pages and align them with current standards.
- Opportunity: RBC will update and refresh its inclusive recruitment strategy and improve the candidate experience.
- Next Actions: Steps include auditing job application sites, training recruiters and hiring managers in accessibility, and ensuring online assessments are accessible.
RBC’s current careers pages feature modern design and inviting imagery, but deeper pages sometimes produce 404 errors, leaving users without clear guidance. Cookie consent banners may trap keyboard focus, and application forms lack consistent labeling. RBC’s plan acknowledges these issues and outlines an action plan to address them.
To illustrate what RBC—and all employers—should aim for, consider these conceptual designs (not actual RBC pages):
The accessible design shows clearly labelled fields, high contrast, logical tab order and helpful icons. The inaccessible design uses tiny text, low contrast and unlabeled fields, creating confusion and barriers for users.
Provincial Implications & Future Legislation
While British Columbia has not yet enacted specific accessibility requirements for private companies, the province’s commitment to WCAG AA for government websites signals that similar mandates are coming. Elsewhere in Canada, Manitoba’s May 2025 deadline for WCAG 2.1 AA compliance and Ontario’s AODA show that the regulatory landscape is evolving quickly. By aligning your site with CAN/ASC‑EN 301 549 and WCAG 2.1 AA now, you ensure compliance across provinces and avoid costly retrofits.
Resources & Further Reading’s on Canadian Web Accessibility Standards
- Accessible Canada Act consultation – official details on proposed amendments and deadlines.
- Government of BC’s web accessibility guidelines – highlights provincial commitments.
- Accessibility Standards Canada statement – a model of accessible design.
- RBC Accessibility Plan 2023–2026 – a real-world example of identifying and addressing Canadian Web Accessibility Standards Gaps.
- WebAIM Contrast Checker – evaluate colour choices for contrast compliance.
- NVDA Screen Reader and VoiceOver – free tools for testing your site’s compatibility.
- Other posts from Blue Fin Web Design:
Conclusion & Call to Action: Lead the Way in Canadian Web Accessibility Standards
Canadian Web Accessibility Standards will shape digital experiences for years to come. By understanding the legal landscape, implementing best practices and learning from both exemplary and imperfect case studies, you can position your BC business or non‑profit as a leader in inclusivity. Start with semantic markup, keyboard-friendly navigation, proper contrast, alt text and accessible forms. Test your site with real users and update your accessibility statement regularly.
If you need help auditing your site or implementing Canadian Web Accessibility Standards, Blue Fin Web Design is here to assist. We offer comprehensive accessibility audits, inclusive design services and ongoing support to ensure your website meets or exceeds the latest standards.
Ready to create an inclusive digital experience? Book a free accessibility consultation today and let’s make your website meet Canadian Web Accessibility Standards!
Article Footnotes
- Blakes – “2025 Outlook on Canadian Web Accessibility Regulations.” This bulletin highlights expected legislative developments and explains the proposed requirement for private-sector organizations to comply with CAN/ASC‑EN 301 549 by June 1 2028. Source.
- RBC – “Accessibility Plan 2023–2026.” The plan identifies barriers on the bank’s job application site and outlines actions to review and improve accessibility across recruitment platforms. Source.
- Accessibility Standards Canada – “Accessibility Statement.” Details how the site meets WCAG, uses ARIA landmarks, provides skip links and ensures all images have alt text. Source.
- Government of British Columbia – “Web Development Information: Accessibility.” Describes the province’s commitment to meeting WCAG Level AA for Canadian Web Accessibility Standards on the government websites. Source.