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Cannabis Accessibility Alberta

Plantlife Cannabis is committed to making our stores, website, and services accessible and inclusive for all customers, including people with disabilities. We believe everyone should be able to access legal cannabis information and products with dignity, independence, and equal opportunity.

Cannabis accessibility Alberta residents and visitors can rely on is at the heart of our mission at Plantlife Cannabis. We are committed to making our stores, website, and services inclusive for all customers, ensuring that cannabis accessibility in Alberta remains a top priority across our digital and physical locations.

This Accessibility Statement explains how we support accessibility across our digital platforms, retail locations, and services, and how you can contact us if you encounter any barriers.

Our Commitment to Digital Accessibility

Plantlife Cannabis is working to ensure our digital experiences are usable by as many people as possible, including customers who use assistive technologies or have visual, auditory, motor, or cognitive disabilities.

We strive to align our website and digital services with the following standards and frameworks, where applicable:

  • Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) 2.1 Level AA
  • Accessible Canada Act (ACA) principles and reporting expectations
  • Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA) standards (as a benchmark)
  • Canadian Human Rights Act accessibility provisions
  • Alberta Human Rights Act duty to accommodate
  • Industry best practices informed by ADA Title III in the United States

Where we are not formally covered by certain laws (for example, the ACA or AODA), we still use their standards as guidance to improve accessibility across our business.

Federal Accessibility Compliance

Accessible Canada Act (ACA) – Our Approach

While Plantlife operates as a provincially regulated retailer, we recognize the Accessible Canada Act as a national framework for barrier-free access. Guided by ACA principles, we are working toward:

  • Identifying and removing barriers in our digital and physical environments
  • Creating and updating accessibility plans on a regular basis
  • Implementing a clear feedback process so customers can report accessibility issues
  • Integrating accessibility into our service design and decision-making
  • Documenting progress and improvements over time

Cannabis Act Accessibility Integration

As a licensed cannabis retailer, we align our accessibility efforts with the federal Cannabis Act by:

  • Ensuring age verification processes are explained in clear, accessible language
  • Striving to make product information accessible to all customers, including those using screen readers
  • Supporting accessible delivery procedures for customers with mobility or other accessibility needs
  • Providing educational materials in formats that are easier to understand and use
  • Prioritizing safety and clarity when presenting product warnings and responsible-use messaging

Provincial and Territorial Accessibility Compliance

Alberta Human Rights Act – Duty to Accommodate

As an Alberta-based retailer, we follow the Alberta Human Rights Act and its requirement to accommodate customers with disabilities to the point of undue hardship.

Our approach includes:

  • Individualized accommodation: We consider each customer’s needs on a case-by-case basis
  • Dignity and independence: We aim to provide support without unnecessary intrusion or stigma
  • Integration: Wherever possible, we deliver services in the same way to all customers, with accommodations layered in as needed
  • Reasonable adjustments: We adapt our policies, practices, and procedures when they create barriers
  • Open dialogue: We encourage customers to tell us what they need so we can work together on solutions

Examples of accommodations may include communication supports, assistance at checkout, extra time to make purchase decisions, or alternative ways of accessing information.

Multi-Provincial Accessibility Standards (As Guidance)

Plantlife’s website is accessible to customers across Canada. To support a broad accessibility baseline, we look to additional provincial frameworks as guidance:

  • AODA (Ontario) – We reference the Information and Communications and Customer Service Standards to inform how we write content, train staff, and structure our website.
  • BC Accessibility Act – We take note of barrier identification and removal clauses to inform our planning.
  • Accessibility for Manitobans Act – We use its barrier-free access principles as another cross-check against our own efforts.

These frameworks help us plan accessibility improvements beyond minimum requirements.

Accessibility Features of Our Website

Navigation and Structure Accessibility

We are improving our website to support:

  • Full keyboard navigation for all core functions
  • Logical tab order and visible focus indicators
  • “Skip to content” or similar links to help screen reader and keyboard users bypass repeated navigation
  • Clear headings and consistent page structure so content is easy to scan and understand

Screen Reader Compatibility

Our goal is for our website to be usable with popular screen readers, including JAWS, NVDA, VoiceOver, and TalkBack. To support this, we are working on:

  • Consistent use of semantic HTML headings (H1–H6)
  • Descriptive alternative text (alt text) for meaningful images
  • Clear and descriptive link text (for example, “View Pre-Rolls” instead of “Click here”)
  • ARIA landmarks and labels where needed to clarify complex components
  • Product pages structured so strain names, THC/CBD content, format, and warnings can be understood in a logical order

Visual Design Accessibility

We are working toward:

  • Colour contrast that meets or exceeds WCAG 2.1 Level AA (minimum 4.5:1 where applicable)
  • The ability to resize text up to 200% without breaking core functionality
  • Clear focus outlines for interactive elements
  • Avoiding colour as the only way to communicate an important state or message

Where visual product elements are important (for example, images of packaging or flower), we aim to provide text descriptions as well.

Content Accessibility Features

We aim to write and structure our content so it is easier for more people to understand.

Text and Typography:

  • Plain-language writing wherever possible (targeting a Grade 8–9 reading level)
  • Clear headings that match the content of each section
  • Short paragraphs and straightforward sentence structure
  • Explanations of cannabis-specific terminology in accessible language

Media and Interactive Content:

  • Captions for video content are being implemented and expanded over time
  • Transcripts for audio or video content where captions alone are not enough
  • Forms that include clear labels, instructions, and error messages
  • Age-gate and age-verification forms designed to be usable with a keyboard and screen reader

Cannabis Retail Accessibility Accommodations

In-Store Physical Accessibility

Plantlife strives to make our retail locations as accessible as reasonably possible by:

  • Providing step-free or ramped entrances where feasible
  • Offering accessible parking where parking lots are under our control or influence
  • Keeping aisles as clear and wide as possible for mobility devices
  • Using checkout counters that can be used by customers who are seated or of shorter stature where possible
  • Training staff to offer assistance with reading labels, reaching products, or navigating the store when requested

If a particular location has known limitations (for example, an older building with structural constraints), we work to mitigate barriers as much as we reasonably can.

Service Accessibility Options

We work to support a variety of communication and service needs by:

  • Providing multiple ways to contact us (phone, email, in-store, and web contact forms)
  • Allowing extra time for transactions when needed
  • Providing written information to support customers who prefer not to rely on verbal information
  • Offering assistance with online ordering for customers who find digital platforms challenging

For same-day delivery and mail order, we aim to accommodate:

  • Safe hand-off for customers with mobility limitations (while still complying with ID and hand-to-person requirements)
  • Clear communication of delivery steps and ID requirements in advance
  • Flexible timing where possible within our delivery windows

Canadian Official Languages Accessibility

English and French Language Support

Plantlife’s primary operating language is English, but we recognize the importance of Canada’s official language framework. Our goals include:

  • Providing an Accessibility Statement in English and making key accessibility information available in French where feasible
  • Ensuring our website structure supports screen readers in both en-CA and fr-CA locales
  • Offering alternative formats and assistance in a customer’s preferred official language where staffing and resources permit

Digital Accessibility Standards Compliance

WCAG 2.1 Level AA – Our Focus Areas

We are working toward WCAG 2.1 Level AA conformance in the following areas:

Perceivable

  • Providing text alternatives for important images
  • Ensuring captions are available for key video content
  • Maintaining sufficient colour contrast for text and essential UI elements
  • Allowing text to be resized without breaking the layout

Operable

  • Ensuring all interactive elements can be accessed using a keyboard
  • Avoiding content that flashes or may cause seizures
  • Providing clear, consistent navigation paths
  • Offering enough time to read and interact with content where time limits may apply

Understandable

  • Using clear, consistent navigation and labels
  • Writing content in plain language with explanations for technical or cannabis-specific terms
  • Providing clear instructions and error messages for forms and age verification steps

Robust

  • Using valid HTML and ARIA attributes so content is compatible with assistive technologies
  • Testing with common browsers and devices used in Canada
  • Maintaining a code structure that can adapt as technology and standards evolve

Cannabis Industry Specific Accessibility Considerations

Age Verification Accessibility

Plantlife must verify age (18+ in Alberta) at key steps for legal reasons. We work to make this process as accessible as possible by:

  • Providing clear, simple explanations of why age verification is required
  • Designing age-gate and verification forms that are compatible with screen readers and keyboard-only use
  • Allowing sufficient time to complete verification steps
  • Avoiding complex or confusing visual-only challenges

If you are having difficulty with age verification because of an accessibility need, we encourage you to contact us so we can explore a safe and compliant alternative.

Product Information Accessibility

We recognize that clear product information is essential for safe and responsible cannabis use. We work to:

  • Present THC, CBD, format, and dosing information in clear language and consistent layouts
  • Structure product pages so screen readers can navigate details logically
  • Explain terpene profiles and effects in plain language where permitted
  • Make key warnings and cautions easy to find and understand

Where possible, we aim to offer accessible explanations of consumption methods, onset times, and general safety considerations.

Assistive Technology Support

Screen Reader Compatibility

We aim to support common assistive technologies used in Canada, including:

  • JAWS and NVDA on Windows
  • VoiceOver on macOS and iOS
  • TalkBack on Android
  • Browser-based reading tools and extensions

Our development and content practices focus on:

  • Proper use of headings, lists, and landmark roles
  • Clear labels for form fields and buttons
  • Avoidance of images-of-text except where necessary (such as logos)

Other Assistive Technologies

We seek to maintain compatibility with:

  • Screen magnifiers (ZoomText, built-in OS magnifiers)
  • Alternative input devices (switch controls, head pointers, alternative keyboards)
  • Voice control software, where applicable

Accessibility Testing and Monitoring

We take a mixed approach to testing:

  • Automated scans using accessibility checking tools (such as WAVE or axe)
  • Manual testing of key user flows (age gate, menu browsing, checkout)
  • Periodic reviews of new pages and features
  • Incorporation of accessibility considerations into content and development workflows

As our accessibility program grows, we intend to include more user testing with people who use assistive technologies.

Barrier Identification and Removal

We view accessibility as an ongoing process. Our approach includes:

  • Encouraging staff and customers to report barriers they encounter
  • Tracking and categorizing accessibility issues
  • Prioritizing fixes based on severity and impact (for example, critical issues addressed as quickly as possible)
  • Reviewing patterns in feedback to identify systemic barriers and inform long-term improvements

Accessibility Planning and Progress Reporting

We are working on a multi-year accessibility plan that includes:

  • Bringing our core website experiences closer to WCAG 2.1 Level AA
  • Improving captioning, transcripts, and alternative formats for educational content
  • Enhancing mobile accessibility and touch interactions
  • Expanding staff training and awareness around accessibility and disability inclusion

We also plan to publish periodic updates summarizing our accessibility progress and next steps.

Known Issues and Improvement Plans

As of now, we are aware that:

  • Some older content may not fully meet our current alt text and heading structure standards
  • Not all video content has complete captioning or transcripts yet
  • Some third-party integrations (such as payment or analytics tools) may not fully meet WCAG standard
  • Legacy documents (for example, older PDFs) may not be fully accessible

We are actively working toward:

  • Updating and standardizing alt text for key images
  • Improving keyboard navigation and focus states
  • Enhancing mobile layouts for better readability and touch targets
  • Expanding captioning and transcript coverage for video and audio content

Feedback and Accessibility Support

We welcome feedback from customers, community members, and accessibility advocates. Your input helps us identify issues we may have missed and prioritize improvements.

If you experience an accessibility barrier on our website, in our stores, or with our delivery services, please contact us.

How to reach us:

If you can, please include:

  • A description of the problem
  • The page URL or store location where it occurred
  • The device, browser, or assistive technology you were using
  • Any steps you took before the issue happened

We aim to:

  • Acknowledge your feedback within a reasonable time frame (for example, 2 business days)
  • Provide an estimated timeline for fixes where applicable
  • Update you once changes have been made

Alternative Access Options

If our website or digital tools present barriers, we are happy to help you in other ways, including:

  • Providing product information and guidance over the phone or in-store
  • Assisting with online ordering at the store level or by phone where feasible
  • Offering key documents or information in alternative formats (for example, large print or simplified text) upon request

Certain accommodations may require additional time to arrange, but we will always do our best to support you.

Staff Training and Awareness

Accessibility is a shared responsibility. Plantlife is working to:

  • Train staff on disability awareness and respectful communication
  • Educate team members about our policies and procedures for accommodating customers with disabilities
  • Integrate accessibility into onboarding and ongoing training
  • Encourage internal “accessibility champions” who help identify and resolve barriers

Legal Compliance and Standards

Plantlife’s accessibility efforts are shaped by:

  • The Alberta Human Rights Act, which requires accommodation of disabilities in services and facilities
  • The Canadian Human Rights Act, which prohibits discrimination on the basis of disability
  • The Accessible Canada Act and provincial accessibility laws (such as AODA) as guiding frameworks for barrier-free access, even where they may not directly apply

We will review this Accessibility Statement regularly and update it when laws, standards, or our services change.

Community Engagement and Partnership

Where possible, Plantlife aims to:

  • Learn from Canadian disability organizations and advocacy groups
  • Stay informed about emerging accessibility best practices
  • Collaborate with partners and vendors who take accessibility seriously
  • Contribute to a more inclusive cannabis industry in Alberta and across Canada
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