Canada
| Law |
Key Point |
| Accessible Canada Act (ACA) 2019 |
Federal law — goal: barrier-free Canada by 2040. Principle: "Nothing Without Us" — people with disabilities must be consulted on laws that affect them |
| AODA (Ontario) 2005 |
5 areas: customer service, employment, information/communications, transportation, public spaces. Requires all public and private organizations to meet standards |
| Web Standards (Federal) |
Government sites must meet WCAG 2.0 AA; mobile-optimized |
| Quebec Web Standards |
Must comply with WAI / WCAG 2.0 AA (modified) + ARIA. Non-compliance = fines |
Remember: "Nothing Without Us"
The ACA's guiding principle — people with disabilities must be involved in creating the laws and policies that affect them. This is a key phrase the BIT interview may probe.
Europe
| Law / Standard |
Key Point |
| EN 301 549 |
European standard for ICT accessibility — references WCAG 2.1 |
| EU Web Accessibility Directive 2016 |
Public sector websites and apps must be accessible |
| European Accessibility Act (EAA) |
Extends requirements to private sector products and services |
| Equality Act 2010 (UK) |
Prohibits discrimination; service providers must make reasonable adjustments |
International / Global
| Law / Treaty |
Key Point |
| UN CRPD 2006 |
First major 21st-century human rights convention for people with disabilities. Goal: promote, protect, ensure full rights. Shifts view from "objects of charity" to "rights-holding subjects." Took force 2008. |
| Marrakesh Treaty 2013 |
Administered by WIPO. Makes it easier to create and share accessible books for blind/visually impaired. Allows cross-border sharing. Formats: BRF, BRL, EPUB, EBEL. |
| African Charter |
Human rights instrument covering rights and duties across the African continent |
| Japan: JIS X 8341 |
Government sites must comply with this standard, based on WCAG |
| New Zealand |
Web Accessibility Standard 1.1 (WCAG 2.1) + Usability Standard 1.3 |
| India, Hong Kong, Australia |
Government sites must meet WCAG 2.0 or 2.1 Level AA |
| Brazil |
Constitution covers disability rights; Law for Inclusion addresses website accessibility and assistive tech |
UN CRPD — The Big Shift
The CRPD changed how the world thinks about disability — from a charity or medical issue to a human rights issue. People with disabilities are rights-holding subjects, not objects of charity. That shift in framing is exactly what the BIT interview is looking for you to articulate.