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Green Book Alliance — Accessibility Statement

Last updated: June 15, 2026

Our Commitment

The Green Book Alliance ("GBA") is a joint initiative of BookNet Canada, the Book Industry Study Group (BISG), and Book Industry Communication (BIC). We are committed to ensuring that the GBA website is accessible to all users, including people with disabilities.

We design and maintain our digital services with the goal of providing an inclusive experience for the widest possible audience, regardless of ability, device, or assistive technology.

Standards and Conformance

We aim for conformance with the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) 2.1 Level AA, published by the World Wide Web Consortium (W3C). Where practical, we also apply emerging guidance from WCAG 2.2.

WCAG 2.1 AA is a globally recognized benchmark for digital accessibility and forms the technical standard underlying the accessibility laws applicable to our consortium members, including:

  • The Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA) — which requires conformance with WCAG 2.0 Level AA (with WCAG 2.1 AA as current best practice) for Ontario-based organizations;

  • The UK Equality Act 2010 — which requires service providers to make reasonable adjustments so that disabled people can access their services, with WCAG 2.1 AA serving as the accepted accessibility standard for websites;

  • US Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) guidance and Section 508 standards — which reference WCAG 2.0/2.1 Level AA as the appropriate measure of web accessibility for public-facing digital services.

By conforming to WCAG 2.1 AA as our single global standard, we meet or exceed the requirements of all three frameworks under one unified approach.

Current Compliance Status

The GBA website is partially conformant with WCAG 2.1 Level AA. "Partially conformant" means that some portions of the content do not yet fully meet all applicable success criteria.

We are actively working to identify and resolve accessibility gaps and to ensure that new features are developed in conformance with WCAG 2.1 AA from the outset.

Known Limitations

We are aware of certain limitations and are working toward improvements. Known issues may include:

  • Alternative text: While we ensure that all functional images carry appropriate alt text and decorative images are hidden from assistive technologies, some legacy or third-party graphical elements may not yet meet this standard.

  • Third-party content: The site may include widgets, embeds, or integrations from external services that are not under our direct control and may not fully conform to accessibility standards.

  • PDF and downloadable files: Some downloadable resources may not yet be fully accessible. We are working to ensure that key documents are available in accessible formats.

Alternative Formats and Reasonable Adjustments

If you encounter a barrier that prevents you from accessing any part of the GBA website, please contact us. We will endeavour to provide the information you need in an alternative format, such as plain text, an accessible HTML page, or by other reasonable means.

In accordance with the UK Equality Act 2010, we are committed to making reasonable adjustments where a digital barrier prevents you from using our services. Under the AODA, we are committed to meeting the communication needs of people with disabilities and providing accessible formats or communication supports upon request.

How We Assess Accessibility

We assess the accessibility of the GBA website through the following methods:

  • Internal review: Periodic evaluation using keyboard-only navigation, screen reader testing, and browser-based accessibility tools.

  • User feedback: We act on specific accessibility issues reported by users.

  • Development practices: New features and content are reviewed against WCAG 2.1 AA success criteria during development and before release.

Training and Awareness

Staff involved in the development and maintenance of the GBA website receive training on accessibility principles and Ontario's accessibility laws, consistent with BookNet Canada's obligations under the AODA.

Feedback and Contact

We welcome feedback on the accessibility of the GBA website. If you experience an accessibility barrier or have suggestions for improvement, please contact us:

Email: info@greenbookalliance.org

Mail: Green Book Alliance, c/o BookNet Canada, #440-455 Danforth Avenue, Toronto, ON M4K 1P1

Response time: We aim to respond to accessibility feedback within five (5) business days.

Complaints

If you are not satisfied with our response to an accessibility concern, you may contact the relevant authority in your jurisdiction:

  • Ontario, Canada: File a complaint under the AODA with the Ontario government's accessibility compliance team.

  • United Kingdom: Contact the Equality Advisory Support Service (EASS) or the Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC).

  • United States: File a complaint with the U.S. Department of Justice or the relevant federal or state agency.

About This Statement

This statement was prepared on June 15, 2026 and will be reviewed at least annually to ensure it remains accurate and current.

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