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Alt text is an essential element in making documents, images, and infographics accessible to individuals with visual impairments. It provides a textual alternative to visual content, enabling screen readers to convey the message to users who cannot see the images. However, the creation of alt text often presents challenges for organizations, leading some to seek external solutions.

People with disabilities often face barriers in their everyday lives that prevent them from fully participating at work or in other aspects of society. With the goal of getting rid of this discrimination related to disabilities, the government began the development of the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA) in 1994. 

Web accessibility is often associated merely with websites, but it extends well beyond that. It also includes digital documents, mobile and web apps, and just about anything that is housed online. As we strive to create an equitable digital space, understanding the crucial step of document remediation in achieving accessibility compliance is paramount.

Imagine you’re playing a video game for the first time and the instructions are hard to understand. That’s how the internet feels people with learning disabilities. This is where accessibility partners comes in to make sure that online spaces are easy to navigate for everyone, regardless of their ability.

Navigating the complex world of accessibility compliance can be a daunting task for any company. Consider accessibility laws like the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA), the Accessibility for Manitobans Act (AMA), the Accessible Canada Act (ACA), the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), and standards such as the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG), all of which are evolving constantly. This means that staying compliant requires a proactive approach.

In today’s digital environment, creating accessible documents is a huge part of web accessibility. When we talk about creating accessible documents, what we’re referring to is making digital documents and their contents — text, images and any graphics —  accessible to everyone, including people with disabilities.

In today’s online world, accessibility is not just a nice-to-have, but it’s a necessity. When we talk about accessibility, we’re not necessarily talking about access in the broad sense of public reach. Instead, we’re talking about disabled access, and the design of online spaces in a way so that people with disabilities can use them. This is known as digital accessibility.

Over the years, web accessibility compliance has become a key priority for businesses and website owners as they face penalties for non-compliance. And this applies to not just websites, but mobile applications as well. In short, the need for greater digital accessibility for users with disabilities is ramping up. This is where web accessibility certification comes into play. Think of it like a formal acknowledgement that your website is compliant with AODA requirements.

Beyond the moral reasons to make your website accessible for people with disabilities, there is a legal obligation as well. But the myriad of legal and regulatory requirements — spanning not just accessibility, but also privacy, data protection and other considerations — can make it difficult to navigate the complex task of making your website compliant.

There is certainly a business case to be made to ensure that your website and digital applications are accessible and meet the needs of users with disabilities. This includes the legal imperative, commercial opportunities and moral requirements. But ensuring your digital products are accessible to everyone is easier said than done. So, this is where accessibility testing comes in.

NDEAM—short for National Disability Employment Awareness Month—takes place every October, where we recognize the skills of employees with disabilities that contribute to the workplace.

What do you think of when someone mentions Accessibility Barriers? Does it perhaps pertain to buildings or sidewalks with a narrow walkway unsuitable for wheelchairs? How about infographics with no alternative text (alt text)? While society has come a long way in creating more accessible environments, persistent challenges remain as barriers to total inclusivity. Accessibility barriers are challenges or obstacles that limit individuals with disabilities from accessing or using either digital content, products, or physical spaces. These obstacles not only affect individuals with disabilities but also impact the broader community by: