Canadian Resources

This page collects Canadian federal and provincial government resources, regulatory bodies, standards organizations, and communities working on accessibility in Canada. Each entry includes a “best for” note to help you find what you need quickly.

Federal government resources

Accessibility Standards Canada

accessibility.canada.ca

The federal accessibility standards development body created by the Accessible Canada Act. Publishes standards, research, and guidance for federally regulated organizations.

Best for: Understanding what federal standards are being developed; tracking upcoming requirements; accessing research reports on the state of accessibility in Canada.

Key publications:

  • EN 301 549 adoption guidance (the European standard referenced by the ACA)
  • Built Environment accessibility standards
  • Information and Communication Technology accessibility guidance
  • Annual progress reports on accessibility in Canada

Employment and Social Development Canada — Accessibility

canada.ca/en/employment-social-development/programs/accessible-canada.html

The federal department that administers the Accessible Canada Act. Provides guidance on ACA compliance obligations, the accessibility plan and progress reporting process, and feedback mechanisms.

Best for: Federal organizations understanding their ACA obligations; finding the official ACA compliance guide; accessing the GC Workplace Accessibility Passport program.

Treasury Board of Canada Secretariat — Web Standards

canada.ca/en/treasury-board-secretariat/services/government-communications/canada-content-information-architecture-specification.html

The TBS publishes the Canada.ca Content and Information Architecture Specification, the Government of Canada Digital Standards, and guidance on meeting WCAG requirements for federal web properties.

Best for: Federal public servants implementing accessible digital services; understanding GC brand and web standards requirements.

Key documents:

  • Web Experience Toolkit (WET) — accessible, bilingual front-end framework used by GC
  • Canada.ca Design System — accessible components for GC digital teams
  • Standard on Web Accessibility (currently being updated to reference WCAG 2.1)

Government of Canada Digital Standards

canada.ca/en/government/system/digital-government/government-canada-digital-standards.html

The GC Digital Standards include “Design with users” and “Build in accessibility from the start” as core principles for all federal digital services.

Best for: Federal product teams building the case for accessibility investment; understanding how accessibility fits into GC digital transformation.

Canadian Human Rights Commission

chrc-ccdp.gc.ca

The CHRC handles complaints under the Canadian Human Rights Act, including discrimination on the basis of disability. Provides guidance on the duty to accommodate and undue hardship.

Best for: Organizations responding to CHRA complaints about inaccessible services; understanding duty-to-accommodate obligations; individuals seeking guidance on filing a complaint.

CRTC — Accessibility

crtc.gc.ca/eng/accessibility.htm

The Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission regulates broadcasting and telecommunications accessibility, including closed captioning standards (95% accuracy), described video requirements, and accessibility for telecommunications services.

Best for: Media organizations, broadcasters, and telecom providers; understanding captioning and described video requirements; captioning accuracy standards.

Ontario resources

Accessibility Directorate of Ontario

ontario.ca/accessibility

The provincial body that administers the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA). Provides compliance guidance, resources, and the self-certification portal for AODA compliance reporting.

Best for: Ontario organizations understanding AODA obligations; accessing the AODA compliance wizard; filing AODA accessibility reports; finding the Integrated Accessibility Standards Regulation (IASR) text.

Key tools:

  • AODA Compliance Wizard — interactive tool to determine which AODA requirements apply to your organization
  • Accessibility Report — online portal for large organizations to file IASR compliance reports
  • Learn about accessibility — training resources for AODA-affected organizations

Accessibility Ontario

accessibilityontario.ca

A not-for-profit providing training, consulting, and resources on AODA compliance and broader accessibility practices. Offers free and paid training for various roles.

Best for: Organizations seeking AODA compliance training; practical guides on AODA’s IASR requirements; finding Ontario-based accessibility consultants.

British Columbia resources

BC Accessibility Act

gov.bc.ca/accessibility

BC’s Accessible British Columbia Act (2021) and its implementing regulations govern accessibility in the BC public sector. The BC government also publishes the Digital Framework and web accessibility standards for BC government websites.

Best for: BC government and public sector organizations; understanding BC accessibility plan requirements.

BC Government Design System

design.gov.bc.ca

BC’s design system includes accessible components and patterns for BC government digital services.

Best for: BC public sector developers and designers; accessible component patterns with BC government branding.

Quebec resources

Office des personnes handicapées du Québec (OPHQ)

ophq.gouv.qc.ca

Quebec’s office for persons with disabilities advises the government on disability policy and promotes accessibility. Quebec’s Act to Secure Handicapped Persons in the Exercise of their Rights (L.R.Q. c. E-20.1) governs accessibility planning for public sector organizations.

Best for: Quebec public sector organizations; understanding Quebec-specific accessibility obligations.

RAAMM — Regroupement des aveugles et amblyopes du Montréal métropolitain

raamm.org

Montreal-based advocacy organization for people who are blind or have low vision. Provides resources in French on digital accessibility from a user perspective.

Best for: French-language accessibility resources; understanding barriers from the perspective of users with vision disabilities in Quebec.

National disability organizations

Canadian National Institute for the Blind (CNIB)

cnib.ca

The CNIB provides services and advocacy for Canadians who are blind or have low vision. Their digital accessibility initiatives include research and advocacy for accessible technology.

Best for: Understanding the experience of screen reader users in Canada; CNIB’s digital inclusion advocacy; connecting with the blind and low-vision community.

Canadian Association of the Deaf (CAD)

cad.ca

National advocacy organization for Deaf Canadians. Provides resources on Deaf culture, ASL, and accessibility for the Deaf community.

Best for: Understanding the perspectives of the Deaf community in Canada; ASL and captioning advocacy.

Council of Canadians with Disabilities (CCD)

ccdonline.ca

National human rights organization of people with disabilities. Participates in policy development and has intervened in landmark disability rights cases before Canadian courts.

Best for: Disability rights policy; understanding the legal landscape of disability rights in Canada; connecting with the broader disability community.

Accessibility Institute at Carleton University

carleton.ca/accessibility

Research and training on accessibility. Offers the Certificate in Web Accessibility (professional development) and conducts research on accessible technology.

Best for: Professional development for web accessibility practitioners; Canadian academic research on accessibility.

Testing and evaluation services

Fable

makeitfable.com

Canadian company offering remote accessibility user testing with disabled participants. Connects organizations with testers who use screen readers, switch access, and other assistive technologies.

Best for: User testing with actual disabled users; organizations required to test with users as part of ACA or AODA compliance.

Shared Services Canada — Accessibility Assessment

For federal organizations, SSC provides accessibility assessment services for GC digital products.

Francophone resources

Accessibilité numérique — Gouvernement du Canada

canada.ca/fr/gouvernement/systeme/gouvernement-numerique/accessibilite-numerique.html

The French-language version of GC digital accessibility guidance. All federal resources are available in both official languages.

RQAA — Réseau québécois pour l’accessibilité universelle

Quebec network for universal accessibility — promotes accessible design across built and digital environments.