Accessibility Regulations
Understanding the Laws That Shape
a More Inclusive Digital World
Regulations and Legal Framework in Canada
Canadian laws and regulations have been a primary catalyst for the adoption of web accessibility practices. Unlike some countries that have a single nationwide law, Canada has a combination of federal and provincial legislation that address accessibility.
This federal law aims to achieve a "barrier-free Canada" by 2040, requiring organizations under federal jurisdiction to identify, remove, and prevent barriers in areas including information and communication technologies. The ACA covers federal government departments, Crown corporations, and federally regulated industries (banks, telecom, transportation, etc.).
Under the ACA, these entities must publish accessibility plans, involve people with disabilities in feedback processes, and report on progress. Web accessibility is explicitly part of the scope – the Government of Canada's own websites are required to meet WCAG 2.0 standards (and updated standards as they are adopted).
In 2023, Canada adopted the European Standard EN 301 549 as a National Standard for ICT accessibility, which references WCAG 2.1 Level AA for websites. While EN 301 549 is currently voluntary, it provides a common benchmark that may influence future regulations and procurement requirements at the federal level.
The ACA does not prescribe specific technical standards in the law itself, but the trend is that WCAG 2.1 AA (and eventually 2.2) will be expected compliance levels for federal organizations. Enforcement of the ACA is handled by bodies like the Canadian Transportation Agency and CRTC for their sectors, and organizations can face compliance orders or fines if they do not make adequate progress on accessibility.
Accessible Canada Act (ACA), 2019
The Accessible Canada Act (ACA) was passed in 2019 with the goal of creating a barrier-free Canada by 2040. This landmark legislation applies to organizations under federal jurisdiction, including government departments, Crown corporations, and federally regulated industries such as banking, telecommunications, and transportation.
Key provisions of the ACA include requirements for organizations to:
- Develop and publish accessibility plans
- Establish feedback processes that include people with disabilities
- Provide progress reports on the implementation of their plans
- Identify, remove, and prevent barriers in various areas, including information and communication technologies
The ACA established the Canadian Accessibility Standards Development Organization (CASDO) to develop accessibility standards. While the ACA doesn't specify technical standards directly in the legislation, it's expected that WCAG 2.1 AA will become the de facto standard for federal organizations.