Website Accessibility Services
Accessibility for Saskatchewan.
Saskatchewan passed the Accessible Saskatchewan Act in 2023, joining a growing list of provinces with dedicated accessibility legislation. With standards development underway and the Government of Saskatchewan already requiring WCAG conformance for its own web properties, now is the time to make accessibility a priority.
The Accessible Saskatchewan Act
The Accessible Saskatchewan Act (ASA) received royal assent on May 17, 2023, and came into force on December 3, 2023. It establishes a framework for identifying, removing, and preventing barriers to accessibility across the province.
The Act covers multiple areas where accessibility standards can be developed, including information and communications, employment, transportation, the built environment, service animals, procurement, and service delivery. For digital accessibility specifically, the Government of Saskatchewan already requires all of its web properties to conform to WCAG at the AA level.
The Act establishes several key structures for implementation: an Accessibility Advisory Committee of 9 to 15 members that advises the Minister on proposed standards, the Saskatchewan Accessibility Office that supports ongoing administration, and a framework for developing and enforcing accessibility standards over time. Non-compliance penalties under the Act can reach $250,000.
Current Accessibility Requirements in Saskatchewan
While formal standards under the ASA are still being developed, several accessibility requirements already apply to Saskatchewan organizations.
- Government web properties: All Government of Saskatchewan websites must conform to WCAG at the AA level. This includes requirements for screen reader compatibility, keyboard navigation, sufficient colour contrast, and proper content structure.
- Public sector accessibility plans: Government ministries and public sector bodies are required to develop and publish accessibility plans. The Government of Saskatchewan released its first Accessibility Plan (2024-2027) in December 2024.
- Municipal requirements: Municipalities with a population of 10,000 or more are included in the Act's requirements for accessibility planning and compliance.
- Accessible Canada Act: Federally regulated organizations in Saskatchewan, including banks, telecommunications companies, and transportation providers, must also comply with the federal Accessible Canada Act.
- Saskatchewan Human Rights Code: The Code prohibits discrimination on the basis of disability, providing a legal foundation for accessibility expectations that applies to both public and private sector organizations.
What Saskatchewan Organizations Should Do Now
With the ASA in place and standards development actively underway, Saskatchewan organizations should be preparing for expanded accessibility requirements. Here is what we recommend.
- Conduct a WCAG audit: Understand your website's current accessibility posture. Identify the barriers that prevent users with disabilities from accessing your content and services.
- Target WCAG 2.1 Level AA: This is the conformance level the Government of Saskatchewan uses for its own web properties and the standard referenced by the federal Accessible Canada Act. It is the most widely adopted benchmark across Canadian provinces.
- Develop an accessibility plan: If your organization is a public sector body or municipality with a population over 10,000, you may already be required to publish an accessibility plan. Even if you are not yet required to do so, developing a plan demonstrates proactive commitment.
- Build accessibility into your process: Accessibility is more cost-effective and more durable when it is integrated into your design, development, and content workflows from the start.
- Stay informed on standards development: The ASA provides the framework, but specific standards are still being developed through the Accessibility Advisory Committee. Staying connected to this process will help you prepare for requirements as they are formalized.
How India Stone Creative Helps Saskatchewan Organizations
We work with Saskatchewan businesses, nonprofits, and public sector organizations to build websites that meet WCAG guidelines and prepare for the accessibility standards being developed under the ASA. Our services cover the full accessibility lifecycle.
- Accessibility audits: We evaluate your website against WCAG 2.1 Level AA using a combination of automated scanning and manual expert testing. Automated tools identify roughly 30% of accessibility issues. The rest require human judgment and testing with assistive technologies.
- Remediation planning: We deliver a prioritized roadmap of fixes organized by severity and impact, giving your team a clear path from your current state to full conformance.
- Design and development: Whether you are building a new site or remediating an existing one, we integrate accessibility into every stage of the design and development process.
- Accessibility plans: For public sector bodies and municipalities required to publish accessibility plans under the ASA, we can help you develop a plan that meets the Act's requirements and sets meaningful, measurable goals.
- Training and ongoing support: We provide training for your content and development teams so accessibility becomes part of your ongoing workflow. Compliance is not a one-time project.
Learn more about our accessibility services or get in touch to discuss your project.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Accessible Saskatchewan Act?
The Accessible Saskatchewan Act (ASA) is provincial legislation that came into force on December 3, 2023. It establishes a framework for identifying, removing, and preventing barriers to accessibility in Saskatchewan. The Act allows the government to develop accessibility standards across multiple areas including information and communications, employment, transportation, the built environment, and service delivery.
Who does the Accessible Saskatchewan Act apply to?
The Act currently applies to the Government of Saskatchewan and public sector bodies. Government ministries and agencies must develop and publish accessibility plans. Municipalities with a population of 10,000 or more are also required to comply. The Act provides a framework for extending requirements to additional organizations as accessibility standards are developed and implemented.
Does the Accessible Saskatchewan Act require website accessibility?
The Act establishes information and communications as one of the areas where accessibility standards can be developed. The Government of Saskatchewan already requires its own web properties to conform to WCAG Level AA. As formal standards are developed under the ASA, digital accessibility requirements are expected to be defined for broader application across the public and private sectors.
What penalties exist for non-compliance in Saskatchewan?
The Accessible Saskatchewan Act includes penalties of up to $250,000 for non-compliance. The Act also establishes the Saskatchewan Accessibility Office, which oversees administration and enforcement of accessibility standards. As standards are developed and timelines are set, enforcement mechanisms will become more clearly defined.
What WCAG level should Saskatchewan organizations target?
WCAG 2.1 Level AA is the conformance level required by the Government of Saskatchewan for its own web properties and is the standard referenced by most Canadian provinces and the federal Accessible Canada Act. It covers requirements for perceivable, operable, understandable, and robust web content, including screen reader compatibility, keyboard navigation, colour contrast, and content structure.
How is the Accessible Saskatchewan Act being implemented?
Implementation is progressing in stages. The Government of Saskatchewan released its first Accessibility Plan (2024-2027) in December 2024. An Accessibility Advisory Committee of 9 to 15 members advises the Minister on proposed standards. The Saskatchewan Accessibility Office supports ongoing administration. Standards development across areas including information and communications is underway through ongoing collaboration between government, the advisory committee, and community stakeholders.
Ready to meet Saskatchewan's accessibility standards?
With the Accessible Saskatchewan Act in place and standards development underway, now is the time to invest in accessibility. Let us assess your site, build a remediation plan, and help you stay ahead of evolving requirements.
Talk to our team- Prepare for accessibility standards under the ASA
- Reach more users with an inclusive digital experience
- Reduce legal risk with WCAG 2.1 Level AA compliance