We collect basic website visitor information on this website and store it in cookies. We also utilize Google Analytics to track page view information to assist us in improving our website.
We collect basic website visitor information on this website and store it in cookies. We also utilize Google Analytics to track page view information to assist us in improving our website.
Why an AODA compliant website could increase the success of your business.
Speak to a sales rep about how REM can get your website AODA compliant
People with physical disabilities make up 20% of the general population. Add the fact that older generations can have vision and hearing issues as well, and it could mean your non-accessible website is missing out on a large, wealthy group of customers.
In Ontario, AODA accessibility standards are law. Fines can range from $50,000 to $100,000 PER DAY for business websites that are not accessible. The social damage to your brand for ignoring Ontario AODA standards can be even worse.
Fixing AODA accessibility issues such as too many pop-ups, hard to read fonts, unclear content, and complicated purchasing steps will make your business website easier to use for visitors without disabilities.
Be socially responsible! Do your part to meet website AODA compliance for people with disabilities. You should always be working to remove barriers to information especially on your business website.
Fixing AODA standard accessibility issues such as missing Alt tags, poor meta descriptions, improper code syntax, etc. also help improve your page ranking in Google and other search engines. Properly coded sites are accessible and faster to load and easier to use which is rewarded by increases in your page rank.
If you are not an existing REM client and your website design was done by a third party, REM can offer consulting services or help you with a brand-new AODA compliant business website.
Unfortunately, we cannot fix an existing third-party site to make it AODA compliant. It would be more cost effective to get a new AODA compliant website which meets all standards and comes with additional upgrades. Learn more about our amazing web design services.
REM will analyse your existing website and provide an assessment of how well it meets Ontario AODA compliance standards. First, your site is tested using AODA compliance software which checks your site against the accessibility standards and establishes a list of what needs to be fixed. Secondly, our Quality Assurance team tests your website manually. Our staff identify any website accessibility issues that might get missed by software.
We follow this by setting up an annual or semi-annual review of your business website to make sure that your site remains AODA compliant. It is very important to monitor your site regularly for compliance in case a change or update creates an issue.
If your fixes are being done in house or by a third party, REM can consult with you throughout the process. Whether you need help interviewing a web designer or just translating AODA technical requirements to an existing designer, REM is here to help you. We can also help with testing the changes your designer makes to ensure the site meets AODA compliance and you are getting the fixes you paid for!
If REM is fixing your current REM website, or if we are building you a new site on our easy-to-use Web Wizard CMS platform, then all the consulting and testing etc. is included as part of the AODA Compliance service.
Businesses must also file a compliance report; the filing deadline was set for Dec. 31, 2020, but has been extended to June 30, 2021.
So, what happens if a business fails to comply? Per Accessibility Services Canada, the maximum penalties under the AODA include:
According to current enforcement guidelines, businesses face larger fines for their first violations, and these penalties can apply every day that the violation continues.
While the AODA applies to all levels of government, all nonprofits, and all private sector businesses with one or more employees (including part-time employees and contractors), penalties are currently restricted to organizations with 50 or more employees. That includes businesses, public sector organizations, and nonprofits.
