Question 1

What is web accessibility?

Accepted Answer

Web accessibility means that websites, tools, and technologies are designed and developed so that people with disabilities can use them. It includes visual, auditory, physical, speech, cognitive, language, learning, and neurological disabilities.

Question 2

Who benefits from web accessibility?

Accepted Answer

While accessibility is essential for people with disabilities, it benefits everyone. This includes people using mobile phones, older people with changing abilities, temporary disabilities (like a broken arm), and situational limitations (bright sunlight, noisy environments).

Question 3

What does AODA mean?

Accepted Answer

AODA stands for the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act. This Ontario law requires organizations to identify, remove, and prevent barriers for people with disabilities. It applies to all Ontario businesses with one or more employees.

Question 4

What is WAI?

Accepted Answer

WAI stands for Web Accessibility Initiative. It's a program by the World Wide Web Consortium (W3C) that develops standards and resources to make the web accessible to people with disabilities. WAI created the WCAG guidelines used worldwide.

Question 5

What is WCAG compliance?

Accepted Answer

WCAG (Web Content Accessibility Guidelines) compliance means your website meets international standards for accessibility. WCAG 2.1 Level AA is the most commonly required standard for legal compliance in many countries.

Question 6

What are the WCAG levels (A, AA, AAA)?

Accepted Answer

WCAG has three conformance levels: Level A (minimum), Level AA (standard for most legal requirements), and Level AAA (highest). Most laws and policies require Level AA compliance.

Question 7

What are the POUR principles?

Accepted Answer

POUR stands for Perceivable, Operable, Understandable, and Robust. These are the four main principles of WCAG: content must be perceivable to users, interface components must be operable, information must be understandable, and content must be robust enough for assistive technologies.

Question 8

What is color contrast ratio?

Accepted Answer

Color contrast ratio measures the difference in brightness between foreground text and background colors. WCAG requires a minimum 4.5:1 ratio for normal text and 3:1 for large text to ensure readability for people with vision impairments.

Question 9

Is web accessibility required by law?

Accepted Answer

Yes, in many jurisdictions. The ADA in the US, AODA in Ontario, European Accessibility Act in the EU, and similar laws worldwide require web accessibility. Non-compliance can result in lawsuits and significant penalties.

Question 10

What are ADA compliance requirements for websites?

Accepted Answer

While the ADA doesn't explicitly mention websites, courts generally reference WCAG 2.1 Level AA as the standard. Requirements include alt text for images, keyboard navigation, proper heading structure, color contrast, and screen reader compatibility.

Question 11

What are AODA penalties for non-compliance?

Accepted Answer

AODA penalties can be severe: up to $100,000 per day for corporations and $50,000 per day for individuals or directors. Ontario has been increasingly active in enforcement since 2021.

Question 12

Can I be sued for website accessibility issues?

Accepted Answer

Yes, accessibility lawsuits are increasing dramatically. In 2023, over 4,000 federal ADA website lawsuits were filed in the US. Having accessible websites and demonstrating compliance efforts can significantly reduce legal risk.

Question 13

How do I check if my website is accessible?

Accepted Answer

Use automated accessibility checkers like WebAbility's free scanner, manual testing with screen readers, keyboard navigation testing, and color contrast checkers. Professional audits provide the most comprehensive assessment.

Question 14

What is an accessibility audit?

Accepted Answer

An accessibility audit is a comprehensive evaluation of your website's compliance with accessibility standards like WCAG. It identifies barriers, provides specific recommendations, and helps prioritize fixes.

Question 15

Are automated accessibility checkers accurate?

Accepted Answer

Automated tools can catch 20-30% of accessibility issues. They're excellent for initial screening but can't evaluate context, content quality, or user experience. Manual testing and expert review are essential for complete compliance.

Question 16

What is alt text and why is it important?

Accepted Answer

Alt text (alternative text) describes images for people who can't see them, including blind users with screen readers. It's legally required under most accessibility laws and helps with SEO. Alt text should be descriptive but concise.

Question 17

How much does accessibility compliance cost?

Accepted Answer

Costs vary widely. Manual development can cost $10,000-$50,000+ depending on site complexity. Automated solutions like WebAbility start at under $50/month and handle 70%+ of requirements automatically.

Question 18

How long does it take to make a website accessible?

Accepted Answer

Manual accessibility fixes can take 3-6 months for complex sites. Automated solutions like WebAbility can achieve significant compliance in 48 hours, with ongoing monitoring and updates.

Question 19

What is an accessibility widget?

Accepted Answer

An accessibility widget is a tool that adds accessibility features to websites without code changes. Good widgets like WebAbility provide automated fixes, user customization options, and legal protection.

Question 20

Do accessibility widgets really work?

Accepted Answer

Quality widgets like WebAbility can handle 70%+ of accessibility requirements automatically. However, overlays that only add interface elements without fixing underlying code are less effective and may not provide adequate legal protection.

Web Accessibility FAQ

Accessibility FAQ by Category

General Accessibility

What is web accessibility?

Who benefits from web accessibility?

What does AODA mean?

What is WAI?

WCAG Guidelines

What is WCAG compliance?

What are the WCAG levels (A, AA, AAA)?

What are the POUR principles?

What is color contrast ratio?

Legal Compliance

Is web accessibility required by law?

What are ADA compliance requirements for websites?

What are AODA penalties for non-compliance?

Can I be sued for website accessibility issues?

Testing & Tools

How do I check if my website is accessible?

What is an accessibility audit?

Are automated accessibility checkers accurate?

What is alt text and why is it important?

Implementation

How much does accessibility compliance cost?

How long does it take to make a website accessible?

What is an accessibility widget?

Do accessibility widgets really work?

Helpful Accessibility Resources

Free Accessibility Checker

AODA Guide

WAI Standards

Compliance Checklist

Accessibility Widget

Expert Consultation

Official Accessibility Resources

Government Resources

Technical Standards

Still Have Accessibility Questions?