The Standard on Web Accessibility came into effect on August 1, 2011 and will be implemented in three phases over a two-year period.

The Standard on Web Accessibility is accompanied by a guidance document to facilitate implementation by July 31, 2013. The supporting guidance provides useful direction to senior departmental officials, who are responsible for supporting deputy heads in adhering to the requirements of the Standard on Web Accessibility. Additional information on specific deliverables, tools, solutions and upcoming reporting requirements is also provided through the Web Experience Toolkit (WET).

Departments should start converting existing content immediately according to the implementation plan in the Standard, giving priority to core web pages and important information and services for individuals and businesses, including rights and benefits. All new web pages published post-October 1, 2011, must immediately conform to the Standard on Web Accessibility.

The Secretariat is planning to release a separate Standard on Web Usability shortly. The implementation schedule will follow a similar two-year period as the Standard on Web Accessibility.

In the interim, departments should continue to clean up their Web presences, removing redundant, outdated and trivial content in preparation for both of these standards. In this regard, consideration should be given to archiving websites that are no longer relevant, and the consolidation of websites should be explored.

By applying the Standard on Web Accessibility, the Government will be making its online information and services increasingly accessible to all Canadians.

Source: http://www.tbs-sct.gc.ca and http://globalaccessibilitynews.com