When we talk about accessibility, we often think about physical accessibility. However, document accessibility is just as important. An accessible document allows all people, regardless of ability or disability, to access and use the document.
Disability affects many Canadians. Over 22% currently have a disability and this figure increases to 38% for those over 65. With 1.85 million Ontarians affected, the prevalence of disability is expected to grow from one in six today to one in five in the next 20 years. These numbers will have an increasing influence on many Canadians as they consider the accessibility of businesses and services, often influenced by family members or friends with disabilities.
Those with disabilities deserve the right to communicate and engage with society as easily as those without disabilities do. Although there are international laws to initiate accessibility standards, Canada has taken extra steps toward becoming a more accessible country for individuals.
There are an estimated 1 billion people with disabilities worldwide. So not only is creating an accessible website the right thing to do, but it’s also good for business.
An accessible website is helpful to everyone. This includes users who are blind or have other visual impairments with low vision that rely on screen readers and audio description, deaf or hard of hearing users that depend on video captions, and those with limited mobility or cognitive abilities that rely on keyboard-friendly site navigation.
And while creating an accessible website can seem daunting, it doesn’t have to be.
Over the years, the financial industry has adapted to the convenience of online banking. It has become an essential service that provides loans, checking and savings accounts, and investment opportunities that millions of people rely on at the click of a button.
The ever-evolving digital world has brought about a revolution in the way we communicate, share information, and complete daily tasks. These changes have become an essential part of our lives, both personally and professionally.
The seismic shift in our work culture post-2020 has turned long-held assumptions about the workplace upside down. Organizations are now more open to a spectrum of work models, from fully remote to the traditional office, and everything in between. With these changes, it’s imperative to examine how each model caters to the needs of the entire workforce, including individuals with disabilities. In this comprehensive exploration, we’ll probe into the core concepts of accessibility and its implications for remote, in-person, and hybrid work models.
In today’s rapidly evolving urban landscape, the integration of accessible features into new and modern buildings has become a standard practice. However, there is often a significant gap in this progressive approach when it comes to our cherished heritage buildings. These historical structures, rich with cultural and architectural significance, frequently lag in accessibility. As we strive for a more inclusive society, it is crucial to explore and implement innovative solutions that make these historic buildings accessible to everyone.
In our increasingly visual and digital world, video content dominates online platforms. But what good is a compelling video if it excludes a significant portion of your audience? For anyone subject to the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA), video accessibility is not just optional—it’s essential. With the AODA accessibility standards in full swing, there’s a mandate to ensure all content is welcoming to everyone, regardless of their abilities. This is where accessible transcripts and captions for videos play a pivotal role in inclusive (empathetic) digital engagement.
In an increasingly digital world, it’s crucial to ensure that information shared online is accessible to everyone. This includes emails, articles on websites, and especially PDF files. PDF files have become popular for sharing information because they can be accessed anywhere, making it quick and easy to provide documents to people.
