The first review of the AODA’s Information and communications Standards became public in 2020. In this review, the AODA Information and Communications Standards Development Committee outlines improvements to make information and communications accessible for people with disabilities by 2025. The Committee recommends changes to the Information and Communications Standards, to identify, remove, and prevent accessibility barriers in information. In addition, the Committee recommends an alternative system for developing, updating, and enforcing AODA standards. This new system would affect the Information and Communications Standards, as well as other existing and future standards. This article will discuss the Committee’s recommendations for accessible mobile applications (apps).
Accessible Mobile Applications (Apps)
Under the Information and Communications Standards, organizations must make their websites comply with Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG). This requirement applies to large private sector organizations, as well as public sector organizations with:
While web-based apps must comply with WCAG, there is no comparable requirement in the Standards for mobile apps. For instance, web-based apps operate through a website. In contrast, mobile apps operate using the Internet, but independently rather than through a website. As a result, the Standards do not require developers of mobile apps to make them compliant with WCAG. Without mandates to create accessible mobile apps, people create and rely on mobile apps that are not accessible. Consequently, people with disabilities face more accessibility barriers when trying to use those apps.
Therefore, the Committee recommends updating the Standards with an expanded definition of websites that includes mobile apps. In addition, the updated definition of websites should include interfaces, and other technologies. This definition should align with existing definitions of websites in other statutes, such as the:
- United States Access Board
- European Union
- United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities