AODA Checklist
We are often asked, “what changes will need to be made to our website to make it compliant with AODA and WCAG 2.0”. It is our belief that all newly built websites should meet WCAG 2.0 level AA standards. This is the requirement for organizations with 50 or more employees. For businesses with under 50 employees your website only needs to be WCGA 2.0 Level A compliant.
Below is a list that outlines the 3 levels of the website accessibility guidelines for AODA and WCAG. If you have any questions you are welcome to email us about AODA website design.
Business Case for making your website Accessible
- Social Responsibility
- Maximize Profits
- Financial
- Legal Risk
WCAG 2.0 checklist Level A (Beginner)
| Guideline | Summary |
| 1.1.1 – Non-text Content | Able to load a text variant to content that isn’t text such as images or videos. |
| 1.2.1 – Audio-only and Video-only (Pre-recorded) | Have an alternate solution to video-only or audio-only content. |
| 1.2.2 – Captions (Pre-recorded) | All videos or audio need to have captions or subtitles supplied. |
| 1.2.3 – Audio Description or Media Alternative (Pre-recorded) | Have a pre-recorded video with audio as a second option. |
| 1.3.1 – Info and Relationships | The information structure of the website needs to be more logical. |
| 1.3.2 – Meaningful Sequence | Have current content presented in a meaningful order. |
| 1.3.3 – Sensory Characteristics | Have additional sensory options for specific instructions. |
| 1.4.1 – Use of Colour | Don’t overuse colours for your website’s presentation. |
| 1.4.2 – Audio Control | Remove the option to play audio automatically. |
| 2.1.1 – Keyboard | Have the option to access the site using a keyboard only. |
| 2.1.2 – No Keyboard Trap | Do not have keyboard users stuck on any part of your website. |
| 2.2.1 – Timing Adjustable | Remove time-limits on parts of the site such as contact forms. |
| 2.2.2 – Pause, Stop, Hide | Give the users the option to control moving content. |
| 2.3.1 – Three Flashes or Below | Content should have no flashes for more than three seconds. |
| 2.4.1 – Bypass Blocks | Add a “Skip to Content” link to your website for easy access. |
| 2.4.2 – Page Titled | Uses meaningful and easy to understand page titles. |
| 2.4.3 – Focus Order | Have your content organized in an order that makes logical sense. |
| 2.4.4 – Link Purpose (In Context) | Each link must have it’s purpose clear from it’s context. |
| 3.1.1 – Language of Page | Each page must be assigned it’s HTML language. |
| 3.2.1 – On Focus | Do not change the element when it is focused with certain events like a scroll or click. |
| 3.2.2 – On Input | Do not change elements upon getting input from the user. |
| 3.3.1 – Error Identification | Have your website easily identify input errors |
| 3.3.2 – Labels or Instructions | Add labels and instructions to your website’s content. |
| 4.1.1 – Parsing | Have no major code errors seen on your website. |
| 4.1.2 – Name, Role, Value | Have all of your elements of your website include a valid HTML markup. |
WCAG 2.0 checklist Level AA (Intermediate)
| Guideline | Summary |
| 1.2.4 – Captions (Live) | Live-streamed video must be required to have captions. |
| 1.2.5 – Audio Description (Pre-recorded) | Give audio description access to users watching video content. |
| 1.4.3 – Contrast (Minimum) | Contrast ratio between text and background of the page must be at least 4.5:1 |
| 1.4.4 – Resize Text | Have the ability to resize text up to 200% without losing content or functionality. |
| 1.4.5 – Images of Text | On each page, do not use any images of text |
| 2.4.5 – Multiple Ways | Give the user the option to have several ways to reach different pages. |
| 2.4.6 – Headings and Labels | Your headings and labels must be clear on intent. |
| 2.4.7 – Focus Visible | Ensure keyboard focus is visible and clear to all elements of the website. |
| 3.1.2 – Language of Parts | Give the option to tell users when the language changes on a different page. |
| 3.2.3 – Consistent Navigation | Have a consistent menu. |
| 3.2.4 – Consistent Identification | Have icons and buttons be used consistently on your website. |
| 3.3.3 – Error Suggestion | Give the option to suggest fixes when users make errors navigating your website. |
| 3.3.4- Error Prevention (Legal, Financial, Data) | Have the option to reverse the input errors of sensitive data. |
WCAG 2.0 checklist Level AAA (Advanced)
| Guideline | Summary |
| 1.2.6 – Sign Language (Pre-recorded) | Add a sign language translation option for videos |
| 1.2.7 – Extended Audio description (Pre-recorded) | Provide a clear and accurate audio description for videos |
| 1.2.8 – Media Alternative (Pre-recorded) | Provide a text alternative to videos |
| 1.2.9 – Audio Only (Live) | Add accurate captions for live audio |
| 1.4.6 – Contrast (Enhanced) | The contrast ratio between text and background must be at least 7:1 |
| 1.4.7 – Low or No Background Audio | Remove any background audio so that it is clear for listeners to hear. |
| 1.4.8 – Visual Presentation | Gives the user presentation options that are accessible for them. |
| 1.4.9 – Images of Text (No Exception) | On each page, do not use any images of text. |
| 2.1.3 – Keyboard (No Exception) | Have the website accessible by keyboard only, without exception |
| 2.2.3 – No Timing | Remove any time limits from your website including form time-outs. |
| 2.2.4 – Interruptions | Don’t interrupt the user’s navigating experience. |
| 2.2.5 – Re-authenticating | Have the option to save data so that it can be completed on a later day. |
| 2.3.2 – Three Flashes | Content should have no flashes for more than three seconds. |
| 2.4.8 – Location | Identify the location of the user, and send it to the user. |
| 2.4.9 – Link Purpose (Link Only) | Every link’s purpose is accurate to its text |
| 2.4.10 – Section Headings | Break up each content section with a heading. |
| 3.1.3 – Unusual words | Explain any strange or abnormal words |
| 3.1.4 – Abbreviations | Explain any word abbreviations |
| 3.1.5 – Reading Level | Break your content into sections so that users with nine years of school can read your content |
| 3.1.6 – Pronunciation | Explain any words or vocabulary that may be hard to pronounce |
| 3.2.5 – Change on Request | Don’t change elements on your website until users approve of the changes. |
| 3.3.5 – Help | Provide detailed help and instructions |
| 3.3.6 – Error Prevention (All) | Reduce the risk of all input errors |
