Accessible Communications

Celebrating it’s 19th anniversary on July 26th, the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) was established to eliminate barriers that prevent persons with disabilities from the equal access of programs and services. More specifically, Title III under the ADA outlines particular requirements of public accommodations and commercial facilities.  
 

With so much focus these days on the possibility of global pandemic, officials are particularly interested in keeping the public informed of what to expect in the event of a major health emergency. In ensuring that all citizens are equally informed, it is important for public health and safety authorities, such as those within Emergency Preparedness, to consider how the millions of individuals unable to read conventional print can access this critical information.             
 

Final chance for review and input Prior to it’s transmittal to the Minister of Community and Social Services for anticipated approval, the final draft of the Information and Communications Standards is scheduled to be voted on by the ICS Development Committee on the 28th of this month.        As with the other four standards under the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA), the draft Information and Communications Standard incorporates input from committee members and communities of interest on potential accessible communication

Given the noticed increase in the awareness of and attention to spending, utility consumers are understandably more concerned than ever with accessing clear and precise usage details. 

During the month of April, Providers of electric, gas, and water utilities are invited to access a free fact sheet on ensuring accessibility for blind and partially sighted customers, and will automatically be entered for their chance to win an iPod Nano!  

Organizations involved in the delivery of essential services are providing important information in audio, braille, large print and e-Text formats to meet the diverse information needs of customers while simultaneously meeting legislative requirements.  It is important for these organizations to remember that the processing and production of alternative formats is much more than receiving a print stream from their service provider.

With all countries around the globe recognizing March as Fraud Prevention month,  it is perhaps more important than ever for organizations to ask themselves whether their most vulnerable customers and constituents are being protected from potential risk .

I wanted to take this opportunity to update all stakeholders on the status of the Accessible Information and Communications Standard, as both an ICS-DC committee member, and blog contributor who endeavours to keep communities of interest informed.
 

With December 25th just over a month away, the North Pole is anxiously awaiting an expected onslaught of deliveries, as children from all over the world begin to send Santa their Christmas wish lists.  Since 2002, T-Base has partnered with Canada Post to make it possible for blind and partially sighted children to send their letters to Santa, and alternatively have them responded to, in braille.      
 

With so much volatility in the market and the ever-evolving consolidation taking place, people everywhere are experiencing heightened anxiety over their investments and deposits.

Throughout this crisis in confidence, I am all too aware of how much information is being made available to customers through traditional communication channels, and I would like to congratulate the many organizations that are continuing to provide their customers with the ongoing information in accessible formats to reassure the worries of blind and partially sighted consumers.