Website Accessibility Services
Accessibility standards are on the way. Get ready.
Newfoundland and Labrador became the sixth Canadian province to pass accessibility legislation when the Accessibility Act was enacted in 2021. Detailed standards are still being developed, but the direction is clear. Organizations that build accessible websites now will be ready when digital requirements arrive, rather than scrambling to catch up.
What Newfoundland and Labrador organizations need to know
The Accessibility Act (Bill 38, An Act Respecting Accessibility) was passed in 2021, establishing a framework to identify, prevent, and remove barriers for people with disabilities across the province. It is enabling legislation: it does not yet impose specific website requirements, but it creates the structure to develop and enforce accessibility standards over time.
At the centre of the Act is the Accessibility Standards Advisory Board, which advises the Minister Responsible for the Status of Persons with Disabilities on the content of accessibility standards and the timelines for putting them in place. Standards are expected across several areas of daily life, including information and communications, which is where website and digital accessibility requirements will live.
The information and communications standard has not yet been finalized. But based on the approach taken by other provinces and the federal government, it is expected to reference WCAG 2.1 Level AA. Organizations that begin working toward that standard now will be well positioned when the regulations are enacted.
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. Targeting it now aligns your organization with where Newfoundland and Labrador's requirements are almost certain to land.
What already applies today
Even before provincial standards are enforced, several frameworks are relevant to organizations in the province:
- Accessible Canada Act (ACA): Federal legislation that applies to federally regulated organizations operating in Newfoundland and Labrador, including banks, telecommunications companies, transportation providers, and federal government bodies. Non-compliance penalties can reach $250,000.
- Newfoundland and Labrador Human Rights Act: Prohibits discrimination on the basis of disability in the provision of services and facilities. This provides a legal foundation for accessibility expectations that can extend to an inaccessible website.
How India Stone Creative helps Newfoundland and Labrador 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 do not sell overlay widgets or automated shortcuts. We do the real work of auditing, remediating, and improving your website.
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
Content is often the most overlooked part of accessibility. 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
New content, features, and updates can introduce barriers over time. We offer ongoing monitoring and re-testing to help you maintain accessibility as your website evolves and as the province's standards continue to develop.
Why Newfoundland and Labrador organizations should act now
- Be ready before enforcement: When the information and communications standard takes effect, organizations will need to demonstrate compliance. Starting now gives you time to identify gaps and make improvements in phases rather than all at once.
- Reach a wider audience: Nearly one in four Canadians reports a disability, and Atlantic Canada has among 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: The same practices that make a website accessible (semantic HTML, descriptive headings, structured content, and proper alt text) help search engines and AI tools understand and surface your content.
- Build trust and brand reputation: Organizations that lead on accessibility signal their values clearly, building lasting trust and loyalty.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Newfoundland and Labrador Accessibility Act?
The Accessibility Act was passed in 2021, making Newfoundland and Labrador the sixth province to enact accessibility legislation. It establishes a framework for identifying, preventing, and removing barriers for people with disabilities, and creates an Accessibility Standards Advisory Board to advise on the accessibility standards the province will develop.
Does the Accessibility Act apply to websites?
Not yet in specific terms. The Act is enabling legislation that allows the province to develop accessibility standards, including a future information and communications standard that will address websites and digital content. That standard is still under development, so organizations are not yet required to meet a defined web accessibility level under provincial law.
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 it is the most likely benchmark for Newfoundland and Labrador's forthcoming information and communications requirements.
Who will the Accessibility Act apply to?
The Act provides a framework to extend accessibility requirements to public sector bodies and, over time, private and nonprofit organizations, as standards are developed and enacted. Federally regulated organizations in the province 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 current website, plan and implement improvements in phases, and build accessible practices into your workflows before enforcement begins.
Get ahead of Newfoundland and Labrador'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 everyone.
Contact- WCAG 2.1 AA audits and remediation plans
- Accessible content writing and document remediation
- Ongoing compliance support as standards evolve