Who is required to follow Canadian Accessibility Standards?

by Riley Claire Senior Software Test Engineer

The Government of Canada is striving hard to put in place a clear roadmap and a well-defined execution strategy that can eventually enhance the accessibility standards of Canada. Canada is implementing stringent protocols to ensure that organizations regardless of type, scale or size must thoroughly understand the value and importance of accessibility and apply it accordingly. Gradually, the main aim of Canada is to be a barrier-free country. In this article, you will get to know the relative significance of Canadian Accessibility Standards.

An introduction to Canadian accessibility standards:

Canada is focused on ensuring that all Canadians including disabled people should be provided with equal access to all information and resources. Advancing accessibility is about creating workplaces, services and barrier-free communities for all Canadians. In 2010, the Government of Canada signed the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UNCRPD). When the UNCRPD has been signed, the Government of Canada committed to furthering the rights of disabled persons.

The strategic significance of Canadian accessibility standards:

Canadian accessibility standards are an important part of the Accessible Canada Act (ACA). ACA is focused on developing accessibility standards that can provide ease of access to Canadian citizens including the disabled community. These standards are then recommended to the Minister responsible for accessibility. The accessibility standards are developed by focusing on the idea of "Nothing about us, without us" and executing it. Upon that, disabled people, other members of diverse disability communities and allies are involved at all development stages.

This also includes knowing as to which standards need to be developed. Experts participate in the research and processes to develop standards. The rest of Canadian society is also educated by the disabled community on why it becomes a necessity to remove accessibility barriers.

The two work streams of Canadian accessibility standards:

1. World-class standards need to be developed: The criteria are broken down for taking a decision on developing standards in the short, medium and long-term.

2. The value of positioning: Specific activities are included that are required to support standard development and key partnerships that need to be built. The strategic role of organizations is taken into consideration for promoting a culture shift in Canada.

The goal of Canadian accessibility standards:

Its primary objective is to build a barrier-free Canada by January 1, 2040. Canadian accessibility standards strive to remove the accessibility-related barriers that provide a hindrance to disabled people. Accessibility testing is one crucial parameter that can be tactically used to improve accessibility standards.

These accessibility standards are developed by the active involvement of four groups as follows:

1. Board: Professional expertise and experience is provided by the board members. The specific priorities for standards need to be decided upon by the board members. The selection criteria should also be approved by the board and reference terms for technical committees. 

2. Technical committees: A specific process is followed by technical committees to develop standards. This process includes consensus, balanced representation and other important elements.

3. Accessibility Standards Canada Staff: The board gets the required recommendation from staff members as to which standards need to be developed and in what order based on considerations and public consultations. The formation of committees is done. The right process is followed by committees. The staff can also implement accessibility testing as and when required through the help of a capable team. 

4. Diverse disability communities: Those people who have the required expertise and experience will be considered for consultation purposes. When the standards are being developed their voices will be heard and it also means that the sharing of knowledge will take place. This is aligned with the Standards Council of Canada's requirement that the development process will include public consultation. 

Conclusion: If you are looking forward to implementing accessibility testing for your specific project, then do get connected with a premium software testing services company that will provide you with methodical testing solutions that are in line with your project specific requirements. 

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Created on Jun 6th 2023 01:59. Viewed 223 times.

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