Accessibility Compliance Reporting and Accessible Websites Deadlines Approaching

November 2019 Charity & NFP Law Update

In order to meet the current accessibility requirements under the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (“AODA”), charities and not-for-profits with 20 or more employees, as well as public-sector organizations, are required to submit accessibility compliance reports pursuant to subsection 14(1) of the AODA. The requirements and deadlines vary depending on the type and size of the organization, with the deadlines for reporting cycles provided in Ontario Regulation 191/11, Integrated Accessibility Standards.

All designated public sector organizations under the AODA are required to file an accessibility compliance report showing compliance with accessibility standards by December 31, 2019. For charities and not-for-profits with 20 or more employees, the deadline to meet this requirement is December 31, 2020.

Further, charities and not-for-profits with 50 or more employees, as well as all public sector organizations, will have until January 1, 2021 to meet the accessibility requirements for all public website and web content posted after January 1, 2012. In order to do so, the website and web content must meet the WCAG 2.0 Level AA standard (with some exceptions) that has been internationally accepted. Where online content cannot comply with this standard because of its nature, it may still be posted online, but organizations must be able to provide it in an accessible format when requested.

Read the November 2019 Charity & NFP Law Update