MTA Commitment to Accessibility

MTA (Public) Accessibility Statement ‍

Organization: Moriyama Teshima Architects ‍

Website: mtarch.com ‍

Last Updated: January 2026

1.0 Commitment to Accessibility

Moriyama Teshima Architects is committed to providing an accessible and inclusive website experience for all users, including people with disabilities.

We believe that digital accessibility is an essential part of equitable access to information and services, and we strive to ensure that our website can be used by the broadest possible audience, regardless of ability or technology.

2.0 Accessibility Standards

2.1 Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA)

Moriyama Teshima Architects’ website is developed and maintained in accordance with the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA) and its Information and Communications Standards, which apply to public-facing web content in Ontario.

2.2 Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG)

We aim to conform to the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) 2.0, Level AA, which provide internationally recognized guidance for making web content accessible to people with a wide range of disabilities, including visual, auditory, motor, and cognitive disabilities.

3.0 Scope

This Accessibility Statement applies to the public-facing website mtarch.com and its associated digital content.

While we strive to ensure accessibility across all areas of the website, some content or third-party elements may not yet fully meet accessibility standards.

4.0 Ongoing Improvement

Accessibility is an ongoing process. We work to identify, prevent, and remove barriers as technologies, standards, and user needs evolve. Where accessibility limitations are identified, we seek to provide reasonable alternatives and to make improvements over time.

5.0 Known Limitations

Despite our efforts to meet recognized accessibility standards, some pages, documents, or interactive features may present accessibility challenges.

If you encounter difficulty accessing any part of our website, we encourage you to contact us so we can assist and work toward a solution.

6.0 Feedback and Contact Information

We welcome feedback on the accessibility of our website and are committed to responding to accessibility-related requests.

If you require information in an alternate format, encounter an accessibility barrier, or have questions about accessibility on our website, please contact us:

• ‍Email: accessibility@mtarch.com ‍
• Phone: 416 925 4484
  

We will make reasonable efforts to respond promptly and provide accessible alternatives where feasible.

7.0 Statement Review

This Accessibility Statement is reviewed periodically to ensure it remains accurate and reflective of our commitment to accessibility.

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MTA (Internal) Accessibility Report

Organization: Moriyama Teshima Architects

Website: mtarch.com

‍Last Updated: January 2026

Review Cycle: Quarterly (operational), Annual (formal)

1.0 Purpose

This report defines both the standards we follow and the process we use to maintain and continuously improve accessibility on the company website, ensuring compliance with Ontario’s accessibility requirements under the Integrated Accessibility Standards Regulation (O. Reg. 191/11).

Accessibility is treated as an ongoing quality standard integrated into daily website governance, not as a one-time compliance exercise.

1.1 Document Scope and Use

This document contains both internal governance procedures and public-facing accessibility commitments.

Public-facing use: Any content reused externally (e.g., website Accessibility Statement or public disclosures) must exclude internal testing cadence, internal roles, decision rules, escalation paths, and operational controls.

Internal use only: Sections 3.0–6.0 and internal decision rules are for internal governance and risk management purposes only.

2.0 Accessibility Standards and Conformance Goals

2.1 Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA)

The Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA) is Ontario legislation intended to identify, prevent, and remove barriers for people with disabilities. The Act is implemented through five accessibility standards, each addressing a different area of daily life and organizational responsibility.

The AODA applies to public- and private-sector organizations in Ontario and is enforced through the Integrated Accessibility Standards Regulation (IASR).

2.2 Applicable AODA Standard

This report applies only to the Moriyama Teshima Architects public website and related digital content. As such, it addresses only the AODA Information and Communications Standards, which govern the accessibility of websites, web content, and digital communications.

2.3 Information and Communication Standards

Purpose: To ensure information and communications are accessible to people with disabilities.

Website-related Requirements Include:

• Public websites and web content must conform to WCAG 2.0 Level AA (with limited exceptions)
• Accessible formats and communication supports must be provided upon request
• Feedback processes related to the website must be accessible
• Emergency or public safety information posted on the website must be accessible

Under the Information and Communications Standards, public websites and web content must conform to WCAG 2.0 Level AA, with AODA-recognized exceptions for:

• WCAG 2.0 – 1.2.4 Live Captions
• WCAG 2.0 – 1.2.5 Audio Description (Pre-recorded)

These requirements apply to public-facing web content published after January 1, 2012.

2.4 Internal Conformance Goals

To meet AODA requirements, Moriyama Teshima Architects commits to:

• Establishing and maintaining internal web accessibility standards and best practices
• Assigning clear accountability for accessibility compliance
• Treating accessibility as a baseline requirement for all new and updated content
• Monitoring, testing, and remediating accessibility issues on an ongoing basis

3.0 Governance and Responsibilities

• Accountable Executive: [Name, Role]
• Accessibility Lead (Site Owner): Owns the accessibility compliance program, approves remediation plans, and provides formal sign-off on accessibility readiness prior to release*
• Web/Product Team: Implements accessible templates, components, and technical fixes
• Content Authors (Marketing/Communications): Ensure all published content meets accessibility standards
• Vendors and Agencies: Must deliver work that meets WCAG and AODA requirements

‍Decision rule: Any changes to templates, navigation, core components, or high-traffic pages trigger an accessibility review before release. ‍

*Accessibility Sign-Off Requirement: No website release, template update, or third-party integration may proceed without documented approval from the Accessibility Lead confirming that accessibility requirements have been met or that an approved exception is in place.

4.0 Website Accessibility Best Practices (Content Standards)

These best practices apply to all new and updated website content.

4.1 Pages and Posts

• Use one H1 per page with logical heading hierarchy
• Write descriptive link text (avoid “click here”)
• Use tables only for data, with proper headers
• Do not rely on colour alone to convey meaning
• Provide clear instructions, error identification, and recovery for forms

4.2 Images and Graphics

• All meaningful images include concise and accurate alt text
• Decorative images use empty alt attributes (alt="")
• Charts and infographics include a text-based alternative (summary, data table, or long description)

4.3 Video and Audio

• All prerecorded videos include captions as standard practice
• Audio-only content includes transcripts
• Media players must be keyboard accessible

4.4 PDFs and Downloadable Documents

• HTML pages are preferred over PDFs where feasible
• Required PDFs must be fully accessible (tagged structure, reading order, headings, alt text, searchable text, meaningful links)

5.0 Accessibility Maintenance and Review Timeline

Daily / Ongoing

All new pages, posts, media, and documents must comply with these accessibility standards

• Accessibility is reviewed as part of routine content publishing and design workflows

Monthly

• Automated accessibility scans of key templates and high-traffic pages
• Spot checks using keyboard-only navigation or a screen reader
• Review and triage of newly identified issues

Quarterly

• Manual accessibility testing (keyboard navigation, screen reader checks, colour contrast, forms)
• Review remediation progress and outstanding issues

Annual

• Comprehensive WCAG 2.0 AA accessibility audit
• Formal review and update of the website Accessibility Statement
• Update internal standards and training as needed

6.0 Change Management and Release Controls

Accessibility reviews are required for:

• Template or navigation changes
• New interactive components or forms
• Third-party widgets or embedded tools
• New document libraries

Pre-release checks include:

• No new critical or high-severity accessibility issues
• Keyboard navigation verification
• Screen reader smoke testing
• Confirmation of captions, transcripts, and accessible documents

6.1 Escalation and Risk Management

Escalation Path: Accessibility issues that are high-risk, unresolved, or cannot be remediated within planned timelines must be escalated as follows:

• Initial escalation to the Accessibility Lead for assessment and decision
• If risk remains, escalation to the Accountable Executive
• If required, engagement of legal counsel or external accessibility specialists
• Releases with unresolved high-risk accessibility issues may not proceed without documented executive approval and a defined mitigation plan.

7.0 Third-Party Content

Third-party tools and content are assessed for accessibility prior to implementation. Where full compliance is not possible, barriers and mitigation measures are documented, including alternate access methods and vendor remediation plans.

Default Rule for Non-Compliant Third-Party Tools:

If a third-party tool, widget, or embedded service does not meet WCAG 2.0 Level AA requirements, one of the following must occur before launch:

1. A documented exception approved by the Accessibility Lead,
2. An accessible alternate method providing equivalent access, or
3. The tool is not deployed.

Third-party tools that present critical or blocking accessibility barriers without viable mitigation must not be shipped.

8.0 Accessibility Feedback and Requests

Users can report accessibility barriers or request accessible formats through:

• Email: accessibility@mtarch.com
• Web form: Accessibility Feedback● Phone:
• Phone: 416 925 4484

Response targets:

• Acknowledge within 2 business days
• Provide a resolution plan or accessible alternative within 10 business days

9.0 Documentation and Recordkeeping

Maintained records include:

• Monthly scan reports and annual audit reports
• Issue logs with severity, ownership, remediation, and retesting
• Staff training records
• Accessibility assessments of third-party tools

Public Accessibility Statement:

A public-facing Accessibility Statement, written for external audiences and excluding internal governance details, is published on the Moriyama Teshima Architects website.

Typically found under Accessibility, Legal, or in the footer with a display date of when it was last updated or reviewed:

Moriyama Teshima Architects is committed to providing an accessible and inclusive website experience for all users, in accordance with the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA). Our website is developed and maintained to meet WCAG 2.0 Level AA standards, and we continuously work to identify and remove accessibility barriers.

Statement of Commitment

Last updated: January 2026

Moriyama Teshima Architects is committed to providing an accessible and inclusive website experience for all users, including people with disabilities, in accordance with the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA). We strive to prevent and remove barriers to accessibility and to meet the requirements of AODA and the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) 2.0, Level AA across our online content. Our website is being developed and maintained with accessibility in mind, and we continue to improve functionality, navigation, readability, and compatibility with assistive technologies wherever possible.

We recognize that accessibility is an ongoing effort and welcome feedback to help us improve. If you encounter any difficulty accessing content on this site or need information provided in an alternate format, please contact us at: accessibility@mtarch.com or 416 925 4484, and we will respond promptly to support your needs.