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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:

However, the increase in digital communication and services for healthcare means that disabled people become limited to the quality of their treatment if they cannot access those digital resources effectively. Therefore public and private healthcare providers in Ontario must prioritize accessibility to meet the needs of all patients and clients.

It’s no secret that digital accessibility has become a crucial aspect of web development. Digital content that’s up to date on the latest accessibility standards ensures that all users, regardless of disabilities, can access and interact with online content seamlessly.

Think about all the new technology that’s been introduced within the last few years like 5G internet, voice assistants, contactless payments, and artificial intelligence (AI).

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.

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.

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.

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.