This site is committed to being usable by as many people as possible, including users of assistive technologies such as screen readers, magnifiers, and alternative input devices. Accessibility is not a one-time project but an ongoing practice, and this page describes where the site stands today and how it is maintained.
Standards followed
The site aims to conform to the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) 2.1, Level AA, published by the World Wide Web Consortium (W3C). WCAG 2.1 AA is the baseline expected under Ontario’s Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA) and similar legislation in other Canadian jurisdictions.
Specifically, we pay attention to:
- Perceivable — text alternatives on non-text content, sufficient colour contrast (minimum 4.5:1 for body text), responsive layouts that adapt to zoom up to 200% without loss of function
- Operable — all interactive elements reachable by keyboard, no time-based challenges, consistent navigation
- Understandable — plain language, stable layout, clear error identification when forms are present
- Robust — valid semantic HTML, correct ARIA usage only where native HTML is insufficient, compatibility with current screen readers (JAWS, NVDA, VoiceOver, TalkBack)
Features currently in place
- Semantic HTML5 landmarks (header, nav, main, footer) for screen-reader navigation
- Descriptive headings in hierarchical order
- Text content that reflows to fit mobile screens and zoom levels
- Colour contrast tested against WCAG AA thresholds
- Focus indicators on interactive elements
- Lang attribute set on the HTML element
- No autoplay audio or video
- No content requiring mouse-only interaction
Known limitations
No website is ever perfectly accessible. Areas we are aware of and working on:
- Some tables would benefit from additional scope attributes for complex data
- Link text in a few places could be more descriptive
- We are auditing form-free versions of pages that historically used forms, to ensure structure remains clear
If you find an accessibility barrier not listed here, we want to know. Reports are taken seriously and fixes are prioritised.
Feedback and requests
If any content on this site is not accessible to you, or if you need information in an alternative format (large print, plain-text email, or similar), please contact us. We will respond as quickly as practical and provide the information in a format that works for you.
Ongoing commitment
Accessibility is reviewed whenever significant content changes are made. Automated checks (axe, WAVE, Lighthouse) supplement manual testing with keyboard-only navigation and screen-reader walkthroughs. When a fix is applied, the date at the top of this statement is updated.
Third-party content
This site does not currently embed third-party tools, widgets, advertising, or tracking. If third-party content is added in the future, accessibility of those components will be reviewed before publication, and any limitations noted here.