Government of Canada accessibility resources
For an explanation of the Government of Canada legislation on accessibility and current standards, please see Accessibility requirements.
Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG)
WCAG 2.1 (English)
The Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) 2.1 were released June 5, 2018, and updated September 21, 2023.
Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) 2.1 (w3.org)
WCAG 2.1 (French)
An official French translation of the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) 2.1 was released July 11, 2022.
Règles pour l’accessibilité des contenus Web (WCAG) 2.1 (w3.org)
WCAG 2.2
The Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) 2.2 were released October 5, 2023.
Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) 2.2 (w3.org)
Screen readers
Non-Visual Desktop Access (NVDA)
NVDA is a free screen reader tool for computers running windows.
Job Access With Speech (JAWS)
JAWS is a paid screen reader tool for computers running windows. JAWS has historically been the most widely used screen reader and is largely considered best-in-class.
VoiceOver
VoiceOver is a free screen reader for computers running MacOS and mobile devices running iOS. VoiceOver is the most popular screen reader for Apple users as it comes built-in to the operating system.
Accessibility - Vision - Apple (CA)
WebAIM survey of screen reader user preferences
In May - June 2021, WebAIM surveyed preferences of screen reader users. This was a follow-up to 8 previous surveys that were conducted between January 2009 and September 2019.
Screen Reader User Survey #9 Results
Designing for screen reader compatibility
WebAIM’s guide to designing for screen reader compatibility. This guide includes an explanation of how screen reader users navigate content and how screen readers read content.
Designing for Screen Reader Compatibility
Designing for colourblind users
Designing UI with colour blind users in mind
An article on how to improve your site’s accessibility and the experience it delivers for people who have difficulty seeing colour clearly or differentiating between colours.
Designing UI with color blind users in mind | Secret Stache
Designing with the colourblind in mind will improve your design for everyone
An article that uses designing for colourblind users as an example of how inclusive design can benefit users in various situations.
WebAIM contrast checker
WebAIM’s colour contrast checker, which is also available as an API and bookmarklet.
Accessibility testing tools
Note: While these testing tools can identify many accessibility and Web Content Accessibility Guideline (WCAG) errors, they are not a replacement for the full WCAG. It is recommended to use these tools to help facilitate human evaluation of web content.
WAVE
The WAVE web accessibility evaluation tool is available as an API, testing engine and browser extensions for Chrome, Firefox and Edge. Because the extension runs entirely within your web browser, it can check intranet, password-protected, dynamically generated, or sensitive web pages.
WAVE Chrome, Firefox, and Edge Extensions (webaim.org)
Axe
The Axe accessibility testing suite includes development, audit, and monitoring tools as well as a free browser extension for Chrome.
axe: Accessibility Testing Tools and Software (deque.com)
Accessibility bookmarklets
Bookmarklets are small snippets of JavaScript executed when user clicks on them. These bookmarklets add new features to your web browser to aid in accessibility testing.
49 Accessibility Bookmarklets You Can Use For A11Y Testing • DigitalA11Y