Website Accessibility Services
Barrier-free by 2040. Start now.
New Brunswick passed its Accessibility Act in 2024, setting a goal of a fully accessible province by 2040. Standards are still being developed, but the framework is in place and the direction is clear. Organizations that make their websites accessible now will be ready when digital requirements arrive.
What New Brunswick organizations need to know
New Brunswick's Accessibility Act was passed in June 2024, joining the growing list of provinces with dedicated accessibility legislation. The Act aims to make the province more accessible by 2040 by identifying, preventing, and removing barriers for people with disabilities.
It is enabling legislation. Rather than imposing detailed rules immediately, it establishes the structure to develop accessibility standards over time, including an accessibility office and an advisory committee that will consult with people with disabilities and stakeholders. Standards are anticipated across a broad range of areas, including customer service, government services, transportation, education, employment, the built environment, housing, information and communications, and sport and recreation.
Website and digital accessibility falls under the information and communications area. That standard has not yet been finalized, so organizations are not yet required to meet a defined web accessibility level under provincial law. But based on the approach used by other provinces and the federal government, it is expected to reference WCAG 2.1 Level AA.
What standard should you target?
WCAG 2.1 Level AA. It is the benchmark referenced by the federal Accessible Canada Act and adopted by most Canadian provinces developing their own standards. Adopting it now positions your organization ahead of New Brunswick's forthcoming requirements.
What already applies today
Even before provincial standards are enforced, several frameworks are relevant:
- Accessible Canada Act (ACA): Applies to federally regulated organizations operating in New Brunswick, including banks, telecommunications companies, transportation providers, and federal government bodies. Non-compliance penalties can reach $250,000.
- New Brunswick Human Rights Act: Prohibits discrimination on the basis of disability in services and facilities, providing a legal foundation for accessibility expectations that can extend to an inaccessible website.
How India Stone Creative helps New Brunswick organizations
We work with businesses, nonprofits, and public sector organizations across the province to build websites that meet WCAG guidelines and prepare for the standards being developed under the Accessibility Act. We focus on real, lasting improvements, not overlay widgets or automated shortcuts.
Accessibility audits
We evaluate your website against WCAG 2.1 Level AA using a combination of automated scanning and manual expert testing with screen readers, keyboard navigation, and other assistive technologies. Every audit includes a prioritized remediation report with clear, implementable recommendations.
Remediation and design recommendations
We provide specific fixes for the barriers we identify, including code-level guidance, content improvements, design changes, and interaction pattern updates. We work alongside your development team or handle the implementation directly.
Accessible content writing and remediation
We write and rewrite web content, page metadata, image alt text, and downloadable documents to meet accessibility standards while keeping your brand voice intact.
Ongoing accessibility support
We offer ongoing monitoring and re-testing to help you maintain accessibility as your website evolves and as New Brunswick's standards continue to develop.
Why New Brunswick organizations should act now
- Be ready before enforcement: With a 2040 target and standards under active development, requirements will arrive in phases. Starting now gives you time to identify gaps and plan improvements deliberately.
- Reach a wider audience: Nearly one in four Canadians reports a disability, and Atlantic Canada reports some of the highest rates in the country. An accessible website ensures these customers, clients, and supporters can engage with your organization fully.
- Improve search and AI visibility: Accessible, semantic markup is the same foundation search engines and AI tools rely on to understand and surface your content.
- Build trust and brand reputation: Leading on accessibility signals your values and builds lasting loyalty.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the New Brunswick Accessibility Act?
The Accessibility Act was passed in June 2024. It establishes a framework for identifying, preventing, and removing barriers for people with disabilities, with the goal of a barrier-free New Brunswick by 2040. It creates an accessibility office and advisory committee to develop standards across areas such as customer service, transportation, employment, the built environment, and information and communications.
Does the Accessibility Act apply to websites?
Not yet in specific terms. Website and digital accessibility falls under the information and communications area, and that standard is still being developed. Once enacted, it is expected to require conformance with WCAG accessibility guidelines.
What WCAG standard should organizations target?
WCAG 2.1 Level AA. It is the standard referenced by the federal Accessible Canada Act and adopted by most provinces developing their own standards, and the most likely benchmark for New Brunswick's forthcoming requirements.
Who will the Accessibility Act apply to?
The Act provides a framework to extend requirements to public sector bodies and, over time, private and nonprofit organizations, as standards are developed and enacted. Federally regulated organizations are already covered by the Accessible Canada Act.
Should my organization start preparing now?
Yes. Even though the digital standard has not been finalized, the direction is clear. Starting now lets you audit your website, implement improvements in phases, and build accessible practices into your workflows before enforcement begins.
Get ahead of New Brunswick's accessibility requirements
Digital accessibility standards are coming. Let us help you audit your current website, build a practical remediation plan, and create a digital experience that works for every New Brunswicker.
Contact- WCAG 2.1 AA audits and remediation plans
- Accessible content writing and document remediation
- Ongoing compliance support as standards evolve