If you run a business website in Ontario, you should follow AODA web accessibility Ontario rules based on WCAG 2.2 AA. Start with quick fixes—alt text, color contrast, headings, and keyboard access—then plan deeper changes over 30/60/90 days.

Why Accessibility Matters?

What “accessible” means in web design

An accessible site works for everyone—including people who use screen readers, keyboard navigation, or need high contrast. It means:

Clear text and headings
Good color contrast
Alt text for images
Forms that are easy to fill and understand
Keyboard-friendly menus and buttons

Business impact

Better SEO: Search engines understand your content more easily.
Higher conversions: Clean structure helps users take action.
Lower risk: You reduce the chance of complaints and legal issues.

3 fast wins you can do today

Add alt text to key images (logo, hero, products).
Fix low-contrast text (use dark text on light backgrounds).
Make sure you can tab through the page and see a visible focus outline.

AODA Basics (For Websites in Ontario)

Who must comply

Most Ontario businesses and organizations should aim for WCAG 2.2 AA on public websites and content. (Public sector and larger private orgs are definitely covered; small businesses should still follow best practices.)

WCAG 2.2 AA in simple words

Perceivable: People can see or hear your content (alt text, captions).
Operable: People can use your site with keyboard or mouse.
Understandable: Content and forms are clear and consistent.
Robust: Works well with assistive tech (screen readers).

Top 10 issues that cause most failures

Missing alt text
Low color contrast
Poor heading order (no H1, H2, etc.)
Keyboard traps (can’t tab to buttons/menus)
Unclear link text (“Click here”)
Forms without labels or error messages
Videos without captions
Carousels that move too fast
Buttons that don’t look like buttons
PDFs that are not accessible

Step-by-Step Accessibility Audit (DIY + Tools)

Quick automated checks

Lighthouse / PageSpeed in Chrome
WAVE and axe browser extensions for common issues

Manual checks tools miss

Can you navigate with Tab and Shift+Tab?
Is the focus outline easy to see?
Do headings flow in a logical order (H1 → H2 → H3)?
Try a screen reader (NVDA/VoiceOver) on your homepage.

Forms & error handling

Every input needs a label.
Show clear errors (what went wrong and how to fix it).
Use ARIA only when needed—don’t replace native HTML.

PDFs & documents

Convert key PDFs into web pages, or make PDFs accessible with tags and proper reading order.

Prioritize Fixes: 30/60/90-Day Plan

30-Day “Quick Wins”

Add alt text to top pages
Fix color contrast
Add skip link (“Skip to main content”)
Make buttons and links clear and consistent
Basic form labels + required field notes

60-Day “Medium Work”

Keyboard-friendly menus and modals
Captions for videos + transcripts for audio
Clean up headings across templates
Replace image text with real text where possible

90-Day “Structural”

Build a small design system (colors, type, spacing, focus styles)
Create accessible component patterns (accordions, tabs, alerts)
Replace or fix hard-to-use PDFs

Accessibility Design System Starter (Free Template)

Color tokens (contrast-safe)

Choose a palette that passes contrast for body text and buttons.
Document primary, secondary, background, and alert colors.

Type scale & spacing

Set a readable base size (16px+).
Use consistent spacing for paragraphs, lists, and forms.

Interactive components

Buttons and links look different and have visible focus rings.
Modals and accordions are keyboard and screen-reader friendly.

Content guidelines

Use plain language.
Make link text descriptive (“View pricing,” not “Click here”).
Write friendly, clear error messages.

Testing & Ongoing Maintenance

Quarterly checks

Re-run Lighthouse, WAVE, and axe.
Re-test keyboard navigation after any theme or plugin update.

Add accessibility to your process

Include an accessibility checklist in every new page build.
Do a quick review before publishing new blogs, PDFs, or videos.

Vendor questions to ask

Is this theme/plugin WCAG-aware?
Do they document keyboard and screen-reader support?
How do they handle updates that affect accessibility?

When to Bring in an Expert

If your site has complex forms, e-commerce, bookings, or web apps, get a professional audit.
CTA: Book an AODA Website Audit with Website Design Brampton to fix high-impact issues first.

FAQs

Do all Ontario businesses need an accessible website?
Small businesses should still follow AODA best practices. It helps users, SEO, and reduces risk.

Is WCAG 2.2 AA required?
Aim for WCAG 2.2 AA. It’s the commonly accepted standard and aligns with modern accessibility needs.

How expensive is accessibility for a small site?
Quick wins are low-cost. Bigger fixes (menus, components, PDFs) take more time but bring long-term value.

Can I use a page builder and still be accessible?
Yes—if you use proper headings, alt text, contrast, and accessible components. Test after each change.