Law, accounting and professional services

Clients choose a lawyer, accountant, insurance broker, realtor or financial planner on trust. Before they call, most visit the firm's website to understand its services, read about its people, and book a consultation. Many then use the website again to upload documents, sign forms or log in to a client portal. When any of those steps cannot be completed with a keyboard or a screen reader, the client has to ask for help with information that is often private, and the firm's first impression suffers.

About 27% of Canadians aged 15 and over reported one or more disabilities in 2022 (Statistics Canada, Canadian Survey on Disability 2022). Under Man. Reg. 47/2022, organizations with one or more employees in Manitoba have been covered since May 1, 2025. Web content must meet WCAG 2.1 Level AA (s. 7(1) (opens in a new tab)), and web applications such as portals published or significantly updated after that date are addressed in s. 8(1) (opens in a new tab).

Where websites in this sector usually fail

The patterns below are common on professional services websites. They are general issues, not claims about any particular firm.

The journeys we test first

• Learning what the firm does and who to contact for a particular matter
• Booking a consultation or requesting a call back
• Requesting an insurance quote or submitting an application
• Searching property listings and contacting an agent
• Uploading documents and signing forms
• Logging in to a client portal and finding statements or files
• Reading and downloading guides and newsletters

Each journey is tested using keyboard only, NVDA on Windows, VoiceOver on macOS and iOS, 200% text size and 320 CSS px reflow, plus automated scans. Our method page describes the process.

Beyond the website

Accessible formats and communication supports (s. 5 (opens in a new tab))

Clients should know they can request information in an accessible format. In practice, that can mean engagement letters, statements, policy documents or disclosure packages provided as accessible electronic files or in large print, meetings by phone or video when travel is difficult, and staff who will read a document aloud. A notice on the website and in client onboarding materials makes this clear.

Feedback process (s. 9 (opens in a new tab))

Clients need an accessible way to raise barriers. An email address, phone number and form, listed on the contact page and in client communications, usually works well.

Training (s. 4 (opens in a new tab))

Receptionists, assistants and professionals who communicate with clients, the person who maintains the website, and whoever selects portal, e-signature or CRM software are all within the training requirement, which applies as soon as reasonably practicable. Large employers must also document a training policy (s. 4(4) (opens in a new tab)) and their accessibility measures and policies (s. 3(2) (opens in a new tab)).

What an engagement looks like

Professional services websites are commonly built on WordPress or a hosted site builder, often with embedded scheduling, listing feeds, e-signature or client portal tools. We account for each.

1. Audit. We test your key pages, documents and journeys against all 50 WCAG 2.1 AA success criteria and record each issue with its location.
2. Fixed quote. You receive a written, fixed quote for remediation.
3. Remediation that preserves your design. We repair structure, contrast, forms and documents with the least visible change, so your firm's presentation stays the same. Where a portal or listing tool is outside your direct control, we document the issues, review the exceptions in s. 7(2) (opens in a new tab), and help you raise them with the provider or arrange an alternative.
4. Verification. We retest every fix with assistive technology.
5. Compliance pack. You receive the documentation, notice and feedback wording, and training material the regulation calls for.

We never use overlay widgets. If anything we repaired is later found not to meet WCAG 2.1 AA, we correct it at no charge. See services and our summary of the standard.

To discuss an audit for your firm, contact us, call (431) 816-6210 or email [email protected].

Last reviewed October 2026. General information, not legal advice.