Protect Your Business: Understanding Web Accessibility and Legal Risks in Canada with Guest Dominique Dunlop 

Did you know that 98% of websites currently online are not fully accessible? This means that many websites are missing crucial elements that ensure they are usable by everyone. In this episode, I’m joined by website accessibility expert Dominique Dunlop, who will walk us through the essential aspects of making websites accessible. Dominique dives into what you need to know about website accessibility, how to conduct an accessibility audit, and most importantly, the hidden costs—both financial and social—of not having an accessible website.

Dominique is passionate about creating a more inclusive and equitable online experience, ensuring that everyone, regardless of ability, can access online content and resources without barriers.

With a background in inclusive education teaching and personal experiences with ADHD, she believes accessibility is a fundamental right, not just a legal requirement.

She works with organizations to meet compliance standards while prioritizing the needs of individuals with disabilities. Her aim is to foster a culture of inclusivity and belonging in every digital interaction.

Dominique’s ultimate goal is to contribute to a world where web accessibility is not only a standard practice, but also a reflection of our collective commitment to diversity, equity, and social justice.

In today’s episode, you’ll discover:

• Dominique’s transition from teaching to entrepreneurship and how her background in inclusive education has informed her work in website accessibility.
  
  
• The common barriers that make websites inaccessible and key WCAG guidelines to keep in mind.
  
  
• The true cost for businesses when their websites aren’t accessible, including lost revenue and other potential consequences.
  
  
• When and how to perform a website accessibility audit, plus the best platforms that offer top accessibility features, particularly for adding alt text.
  
  
• Dominique’s vision for the future of website accessibility and how the digital landscape is evolving in this area.

Digital accessibility isn’t just about meeting legal requirements—it’s about prioritizing the people who make your business thrive by ensuring that everyone can access your website, products, and services. To learn more about Dominique and how to make your website more accessible (and more profitable), visit her website or book a free mini website accessibility audit today by clicking here.

Thanks for tuning in, and don’t forget to join us next week when we welcome another expert to share insights on inclusion and accessibility!

Mentioned in this Episode

Dominique’s Website & Blog 

Get a Complimentary Mini Accessibility Audit 

Download Dominique’s Free Website Accessibility Rapid Assessment for Business  

Website Accessibility Standards and Guidelines 

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Listen to Get It In Writing on Apple, Spotify or wherever you catch your favorite podcasts!

For more please visit my website at  Legal Mybiz.ca. You can connect with Corinne on Instagram at www.instagram.com/legalguidecorinne/ or by email, [email protected]. 

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Key Quotes:

“I see how much people, especially children, can thrive when they’re given the appropriate environment to do so.” [4:26] 

“You’re cutting out thousands upon thousands of people, and then if you take it to the international level, you’re cutting out millions of people just by making your content inaccessible.” [12:45]

“It takes one page to break the accessibility of a website essentially, so some people will choose to do an audit every few months just to make sure they’re still on track.” [14:48] 

“The reality is that 98 percent of websites are not accessible, so if you don’t know if your website is accessible, it probably isn’t.” [33:21]