Multi-Property Web Accessibility Audit for a Major Urban Public Library System
A library’s digital platforms are not supplementary services. For many residents — particularly those with disabilities — they are the library. We audited all five.
Project Overview
One of the largest urban public library systems in North America engaged Accessibility Partners to conduct WCAG accessibility audits across five distinct web properties: the main website, online catalogue, digital resources portal, event booking system, and branch information pages. The library serves millions of residents across the city, and its digital platforms are the primary point of access for a significant portion of its users.
The Conformance Challenge
Each web property had been developed and maintained separately, often with different vendors and different levels of accessibility awareness built in. A resident registering for a program, searching the catalogue, or finding branch hours might move across multiple platforms in a single session — encountering a different conformance picture at each step. The library needed a consolidated view of where it stood, and a practical roadmap it could act on with both internal IT and external vendors.
Our Multi-Property Audit Approach
We audited each of the five properties individually, testing page templates, interactive components, and key user flows against WCAG standards. Each property received its own detailed report so that issues could be prioritised and assigned appropriately — whether to internal staff or the relevant third-party vendor.
We also delivered a future-proofing strategy covering three areas that are often overlooked after an initial audit: vendor procurement language to build accessibility requirements into future contracts, staff training recommendations for web editors and content contributors, and a QA framework for maintaining conformance as content and platforms evolve.
Project Snapshot
Industry
Public Library
Location
Ontario, Canada
Compliance Standard
AODA
Key Result
5 web properties · Vendor-specific reports
Audit Results
Services Used
Legislation: AODA
Talk to Us About Your Digital Properties
Every engagement we take on is led by a credentialed senior consultant — not delegated to junior staff after the proposal is signed. We hold Government of Canada Standing Offer #1 national ranking, $5M errors and omissions insurance, and twelve years of experience across federal, provincial, municipal, and private-sector clients.
If your organisation manages multiple web properties and needs a consolidated accessibility picture, we would welcome the conversation.
Frequently Asked Questions
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Does AODA apply to third-party platforms a public institution procures and uses?
Yes. Public institutions are still responsible for the accessibility of the third-party platforms and services they provide to users.
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What is a multi-property web accessibility audit and why does it matter?
It reviews multiple connected digital platforms together to identify accessibility gaps across the full user experience.
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What should accessibility procurement language include in vendor contracts?
It should clearly define accessibility requirements, WCAG expectations, testing obligations, and remediation responsibilities.
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How do you maintain WCAG conformance across platforms managed by different vendors?
Clear standards, regular testing, vendor accountability, and internal QA processes help maintain consistent accessibility across platforms.