Ask an expert: The Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act

Ben Poynton, U of T’s Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA) officer, was drawn to his work by an interest in human rights philosophy, and how it improves people’s situations. The AODA is a piece of legislation in Ontario aimed at making the places we work, live and learn as accessible as possible. “This includes ensuring our public websites comply with its accessibility standards,” says Poynton.

He  began working on the AODA by developing an educators accessibility resource kit for the Council of Ontario Universities. “The work met with my interest in policy and human rights,” says Poynton, who who graduated with a master’s in international development law and human rights from the University of Warwick.

What keeps him busy outside of work? “I tend to my vegetable patch. It’s great for salsa recipes,” he says. 

Poynton shares a few quick tips to help you comply with the web accessibility standards of AODA:

1. Familiarize yourself with the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines 2.0. Make a ‘POUR’ website!
2. Use headings for content structure, either for a website or document
3. Avoid ‘read more’: hyperlink text should make sense out of context
4. Provide captions to videos and transcripts for podcasts
5. Make sure foreground and background colours contrast properly 
6. Remember: incorporate accessibility at the beginning of any project. Retrofitting takes more time and resources.

Poynton also points to the University's AODA website as a resource for information on all other areas of the AODA.