Accessibility Legislation
Disability Laws Around The World
There is a growing realization of the business case for advancing accessibility to the digital realm for persons with disabilities. It is seen as an opportunity to reach into broader consumer segments in a crowded marketplace.This global trend has, through global collaboration, established globally accepted accessibility standards that are supported by government legislation compliance regulations around the world.
The United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD) was adopted in 2006 and aims to
promote, protect and ensure the full and equal enjoyment of all human rights and fundamental freedoms by all persons with disabilities, and to promote respect for their inherent dignity.
Global Law and Policy – Law Office of Lainey Feingold
International Commitment
In addition to being signatories to the United Nations Charter of Rights for People with Disabilities (UNCRPD) and agreeing to abide by that Convention, most countries have adopted their own methods for governing digital accessibility internally.Australia uses the Disability Discrimination Act of 1992 which applies to both public and private sector organizations, basing their requirements on WCAG.
Canada uses the Canadian Human Rights Act of 1985 which applies to both public and private sector organizations.
Canada also has the Policy on Communications and Federal Identity, 2016 which applies to government organizations and is based on WCAG.
Canada also has the Policy on Communications and Federal Identity, 2016 which applies to government organizations and is based on WCAG.
The European Union currently has the Web Accessibility Directive and the European Accessibility Act, which use WCAG.
The United States has a number of laws and requirements some of which are based on WCAG and others on different variations, some applying to public and private sector and others to one or the other.
The United Kingdom has the Equality Act, 2010 which is a non-discrimination law applying to both public and private sector organizations and is based on WCAG.
The Canadian Commitment
Canada was one of the first countries to sign the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (signed March 30, 2007 and ratified on March 11, 2010), which complements existing obligations under the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms.
the Accessible Canada Act (ACA) was passed into law on May 29, 2019 with the goal of creating a barrier-free Canada by 2040.
The Web Experience Toolkit (WET) includes reusable components for building and maintaining innovative websites that are accessible, usable, and interoperable. These reusable components are open source software and free for use by departments and external Web communities.
The Web Experience Toolkit (WET) includes reusable components for building and maintaining innovative websites that are accessible, usable, and interoperable. These reusable components are open source software and free for use by departments and external Web communities.
The province of Ontario in 2005 took a global leadership role in setting legislative Accessibility Standards for a more inclusive society.
The purpose of the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA) 2005 Regulations is to benefit all Ontarians by developing, implementing and enforcing accessibility standards in order to achieve accessibility for Ontarians with disabilities, with respect to goods, services, facilities, accommodation, employment, buildings, structures and premises, on or before January 1, 2025.
Approximately 2.9 million Ontarians aged 15+ currently have one or more disabilities. By 2040, this number will increase by another one million. Most of these disabilities are invisible.
The purpose of the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA) 2005 Regulations is to benefit all Ontarians by developing, implementing and enforcing accessibility standards in order to achieve accessibility for Ontarians with disabilities, with respect to goods, services, facilities, accommodation, employment, buildings, structures and premises, on or before January 1, 2025.
Approximately 2.9 million Ontarians aged 15+ currently have one or more disabilities. By 2040, this number will increase by another one million. Most of these disabilities are invisible.
Following the Ontario lead, the province of Manitoba established the Accessibility for Manitobans Act on December 5, 2013.
The province of Nova Scotia established the Accessibility Act (Bill 59) on April 28, 2017.
The Accessible British Columbia Act, SBC 2021 CHAPTER 19, was passed into law on June 17, 2021.
New Foundland and Labrador passed Bill 38, an Act Respecting Accessibility in the Province, in December 2021.
The Accessible Saskatchewan Act, Bill 103, was introduced in the Fall of 2022.