Published: July 2026
Category: WCAG & Compliance
AODA Website Compliance Checklist
If you’re a business owner in Ontario, you’ve probably heard about AODA and website accessibility. But knowing where to start can feel overwhelming. Between legal requirements, technical standards, and ever-changing websites, it’s not always clear what “accessible” really means.
The good news is that accessibility doesn’t have to be complicated.
Whether you’re building a new website or improving an existing one, making your digital content accessible helps ensure that everyone—including people with disabilities—can access your information, products, and services. It’s also a smart investment in usability, customer experience, and your brand’s reputation. This checklist will walk you through the most important areas to review so you can identify common accessibility barriers and understand what it takes to create a more inclusive website.
What Is AODA ?
The Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA) is legislation introduced by the Government of Ontario to help create a more accessible province. One part of the legislation focuses on digital accessibility, encouraging organizations to make their public websites usable for people with disabilities.
Under the Integrated Accessibility Standards Regulation (IASR), many organizations are required to ensure that their public websites and web content meet WCAG 2.0 Level AA, with some exceptions. This means following the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) when designing, developing, and maintaining their websites. Creating an accessible website helps users who rely on assistive technologies such as screen readers, keyboard navigation, voice recognition software, and alternative input devices.
Accessibility isn’t just about meeting a standard—it’s about ensuring every visitor has equal access to your content, regardless of how they browse the web.
A Practical AODA Website Accessibility Checklist
Make Sure Every Image Has Alternative Text
Images play an important role in communicating information, improving visual appeal, and helping visitors understand your content. However, not everyone can see images. People who use screen readers rely on alternative text (also called alt text) to understand the purpose and meaning of images on a webpage.
Alternative text provides a written description that assistive technologies can read aloud, allowing users with visual disabilities to access the same information as other visitors. The goal of alternative text is not to describe every visual detail—it is to provide the information a user needs to understand the content or purpose of the image.
When reviewing your website images, make sure you:
- Add descriptive alt text to all meaningful images.
- Describe the purpose of the image rather than simply listing what it looks like.
- Avoid using phrases like “image of” or “picture of” because screen readers already identify images.
- Mark decorative images as decorative so they can be ignored by assistive technologies.
- Avoid using images of text when the same information can be provided as actual text.
For example:
Poor alt text: “image123.jpg”
Too vague: “A person using a laptop”
Better alt text:
“Accessibility specialist reviewing website code during a digital accessibility audit.”
Well-written alternative text helps visitors understand visual content they may not be able to see.
Can Someone Use Your Website Without a Mouse?
Not everyone uses a mouse to navigate the web. Many people rely on a keyboard, screen reader, voice control software, or other assistive technologies to interact with websites. A website that works only with a mouse creates barriers for users who depend on keyboard navigation. Ensuring your website can be fully operated with a keyboard is an important part of creating an accessible digital experience.
A simple way to test this is to put your mouse aside and navigate your website using only the Tab, Enter, Space, and arrow keys. Check whether users can:
- Navigate through menus, links, buttons, and interactive elements.
- Access and complete forms without using a mouse.
- Clearly see which element currently has keyboard focus.
- Open and close menus, dialogs, and other interactive components.
- Complete important tasks, such as submitting a contact form or completing a purchase.
Common keyboard accessibility issues include:
- Interactive elements that cannot be reached using the keyboard.
- Missing or unclear focus indicators.
- Keyboard focus getting trapped in certain areas of a page.
- Menus or pop-ups that cannot be opened or closed without a mouse.
Keyboard accessibility benefits more than just people with disabilities. It also improves usability for power users, people with temporary injuries, and anyone who prefers alternative ways of navigating a website.
A website that works well without a mouse provides a smoother and more inclusive experience for every visitor.
Check Your Colour Contrast
Good colour contrast is essential for making your website easy to read and use. If the contrast between text and its background is too low, visitors with low vision, colour blindness, or those viewing your website in bright lighting may struggle to read your content. Choosing accessible colour combinations isn’t just about meeting accessibility standards—it also improves readability and creates a better experience for all users. As you review your website, check that:
- Text has sufficient contrast against its background.
- Buttons, links, and form controls are easy to see and read.
- Important information isn’t communicated by colour alone.
- Hover, focus, and active states remain clearly visible.
- Charts, graphs, and icons use labels, patterns, or shapes in addition to colour.
There are many free tools available to help you measure colour contrast and identify combinations that may not meet accessibility requirements.
Good contrast improves the experience for everyone—not just users with disabilities.
Organize Content with Clear Headings
Well-structured headings make your content easier to read and navigate. They help visitors quickly scan a page, find the information they’re looking for, and understand how different sections relate to one another. For people using screen readers, headings act like a table of contents, allowing them to jump directly to the sections that matter most.
Rather than choosing heading sizes based on appearance, use headings to create a logical structure for your content. A clear hierarchy improves both accessibility and search engine optimization (SEO). When reviewing your pages, make sure you:
- Use one H1 heading to identify the main topic of the page.
- Organize sections with H2 headings and use H3 or lower levels for related subsections.
- Follow a logical heading order without skipping levels unnecessarily.
- Write headings that clearly describe the content that follows.
- Keep headings concise and easy to understand.
- Avoid using headings simply to make text look larger or bolder.
A well-organized heading structure helps all visitors navigate your content more efficiently while making your website easier to understand for assistive technologies and search engines alike.
- One clear page title (H1)
- Logical section headings (H2)
- Supporting subheadings (H3 and below)
Avoid choosing heading levels simply because they look good visually. Instead, use them to create a meaningful content hierarchy. A clear heading structure helps both users and assistive technologies navigate your content.
Make Links Meaningful
Links help visitors navigate your website, but they should also provide enough context for users to understand where they will go before clicking. Generic link text such as “Click Here,” “Read More,” or “Learn More” can be confusing, especially for people using screen readers who often browse a page by listening to a list of links.
Instead, write link text that clearly describes the destination or action. This makes your content easier to understand and improves the overall user experience. When reviewing your website, make sure your links:
- Clearly describe where they lead or what they do.
- Make sense even when read out of context.
- Avoid generic phrases like “Click Here” or “More.”
- Are visually distinguishable from surrounding text.
- Have sufficient colour contrast and a visible focus indicator for keyboard users.
- Open new windows or tabs only when necessary, and let users know when they do.
For example, instead of writing “Click Here” , Use descriptive links such as:
- Download Our Accessibility Checklist
- Learn About Website Accessibility Audits
- View Our Document Remediation Services
- Contact Our Accessibility Team
Meaningful links make it easier for everyone to navigate your website, whether they’re using a mouse, keyboard, screen reader, or another assistive technology.
Use Clear Labels for Form Fields
Forms are often one of the most important parts of a website. Whether someone is requesting a quote, booking a service, or signing up for a newsletter, every visitor should be able to complete the form without confusion.
A common accessibility issue is relying on placeholder text instead of proper labels. Placeholder text disappears as soon as a user starts typing, making it difficult for some people to remember what information is required. Screen readers may also struggle to provide the same level of context. To create accessible forms:
- Provide a visible label for every form field.
- Write labels that clearly describe the information being requested.
- Group related fields together using headings or fieldsets when appropriate.
- Clearly identify required fields.
- Provide helpful instructions for fields with specific formatting, such as phone numbers or dates.
- Display clear, easy-to-understand error messages and explain how users can fix them.
Well-designed forms reduce frustration, improve completion rates, and ensure everyone can interact with your website confidently.
Include Captions and Transcripts
Videos and audio content can be a great way to share information, but they should also be accessible to people who are deaf, hard of hearing, or unable to listen to audio in their current environment. Captions allow users to follow spoken dialogue and important sounds in a video, while transcripts provide a text version of the content that can be read at any time. These features not only improve accessibility but also make your content more flexible and easier to consume.
When publishing multimedia content, consider the following:
- Add accurate, synchronized captions to all videos with spoken content.
- Provide transcripts for podcasts, webinars, and audio recordings.
- Include descriptions of important visual information when it isn’t explained through narration.
- Ensure media players can be operated using a keyboard and work well with assistive technologies.
Making your videos and audio accessible helps more people engage with your content, regardless of how they access it or where they are.
Design Responsive and Accessible Navigation
Navigation is one of the first things visitors interact with on your website. If it’s difficult to use, people may struggle to find the information they need or leave your site altogether. An accessible navigation system should be easy to understand and work consistently across all devices. As more users browse the web on smartphones and tablets, it’s important to ensure your navigation remains accessible, whether someone is using a mouse, keyboard, touch screen, or assistive technology.
When reviewing your website’s navigation, make sure it:
- Is easy to use on desktop, tablet, and mobile devices.
- Can be fully navigated using only a keyboard.
- Includes visible keyboard focus indicators so users always know where they are.
- Uses clear and descriptive menu labels.
- Maintains a logical and consistent menu structure across all pages.
- Supports screen readers with proper HTML structure and accessible navigation landmarks.
- Remains usable when the page is zoomed to 200% or more, without forcing users to scroll horizontally.
A well-designed navigation system helps all visitors move through your website with confidence, creating a smoother and more inclusive user experience.
Perform Accessibility Testing
Creating an accessible website isn’t something you do once and forget. Every time you add new content, update a feature, or redesign a page, it’s important to verify that accessibility hasn’t been affected. While automated accessibility scanners are a great starting point, they can only detect a portion of potential issues. Many accessibility barriers—such as confusing link text, improper keyboard interactions, or unclear form instructions—require manual testing to identify.
A thorough accessibility review should include:
- Automated scans to identify common WCAG issues.
- Keyboard-only testing to ensure all interactive elements are accessible.
- Screen reader testing using tools such as NVDA, JAWS, or VoiceOver.
- Colour contrast checks for text, buttons, and user interface components.
- Testing across different browsers, devices, and screen sizes.
- Manual review of forms, navigation, multimedia, and downloadable documents.
The best results come from combining automated tools with manual testing. This approach provides a more complete picture of your website’s accessibility and helps ensure a better experience for all users.
Accessibility is an ongoing commitment. Regular testing allows you to identify new issues early, maintain compliance, and continue providing an inclusive digital experience as your website evolves.
Common Accessibility Issues
Many websites contain accessibility barriers without realizing it. These issues can prevent people with disabilities from accessing information, navigating pages, or completing important tasks. Below are some of the most common accessibility issues found on websites:
1. Missing or Incorrect Alternative Text
- Images without alt text.
- Alt text that does not describe the purpose of the image.
- File names used as image descriptions.
- Decorative images that are not properly marked.
2. Poor Colour Contrast
- Text that does not have enough contrast against the background.
- Buttons or links that are difficult to see.
- Important information communicated only through colour.
- Low-contrast content that affects readability.
3. Keyboard Navigation Barriers
- Website features that only work with a mouse.
- Links, buttons, or menus that cannot be accessed using a keyboard.
- Missing visible focus indicators.
- Keyboard focus getting trapped in interactive elements.
4. Incorrect Heading Structure
- Missing page headings.
- Skipping heading levels (for example, jumping from H1 to H4).
- Using headings only to change text size.
- Poorly organized page content.
5. Inaccessible Forms
- Form fields without proper labels.
- Unclear instructions or required fields.
- Error messages that do not explain how to fix problems.
- Forms that cannot be completed using a keyboard or assistive technology.
6. Unclear Link Text
- Using generic links such as “Click Here” or “Read More.”
- Links that do not explain their destination.
- Multiple identical links without context.
- Links that are difficult to identify visually.
7. Missing Captions and Transcripts
- Videos without captions.
- Audio content without transcripts.
- Missing descriptions for important visual information.
- Media players that cannot be controlled using a keyboard.
8. Inaccessible Documents
- PDFs without proper tags or structure.
- Missing headings and document navigation.
- Images without alternative text.
- Tables that cannot be interpreted by screen readers.
9. Mobile Accessibility Issues
- Websites that do not work properly on mobile devices.
- Buttons or links that are too small to use.
- Content that does not resize correctly.
- Navigation problems on touch devices.
10. Lack of Screen Reader Compatibility
- Missing page landmarks.
- Incorrect ARIA implementation.
- Content announced in the wrong order.
- Interactive elements without accessible names.
11. Time-Based Content Issues
- Forms or sessions that expire without warning.
- Moving content that cannot be paused.
- Auto-playing media without controls.
- Limited time to complete important tasks.
12. Inconsistent Website Navigation
- Menus that change location or behavior between pages.
- Unclear navigation labels.
- Missing breadcrumbs or page context.
- Difficult-to-find important information.
Addressing these common accessibility issues is an important step toward creating a website that is easier to use, more inclusive, and better aligned with WCAG and AODA accessibility requirements.
Addressing these issues can improve the experience for all users.
Why Accessibility Benefits Your Business
Making your website accessible helps create a better experience for all users while supporting your business goals. Accessibility can help your organization:
- Reach more customers, including people with disabilities.
- Improve website usability and customer experience.
- Build trust and demonstrate inclusion.
- Support WCAG and accessibility compliance goals.
- Improve SEO through better website structure and content.
An accessible website is not only about meeting requirements—it is about creating a digital experience that works for everyone.
Need Help Improving Your Website’s Accessibility?
Whether you’re beginning your accessibility journey or working toward WCAG conformance, our team can help assess your website, identify barriers, and provide practical remediation guidance.
Contact CodexMotive Digital Solutions to learn more about accessibility audits, website remediation, accessible document services, and accessibility consulting.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is AODA compliance required for all Ontario businesses?
Requirements vary depending on factors such as organization type and size. Review the AODA and IASR requirements that apply to your organization or consult a qualified accessibility professional.
Is automated accessibility testing enough?
Automated tools are valuable for identifying many common issues, but they cannot detect every accessibility barrier. Manual testing is an important part of a comprehensive accessibility evaluation.
How often should a website be tested?
It’s a good practice to test accessibility whenever significant updates are made and to perform periodic reviews as part of ongoing website maintenance.
Final Thoughts
Building an accessible website helps create a more inclusive digital experience for everyone. By following this checklist and incorporating accessibility into your regular development and content processes, your organization can better serve users while supporting recognized accessibility standards.