Accessible Communications
I recently read an article in the National Post asking, “Are braille’s days as the great equalizer over?”. After exploring arguments for and against teaching braille, the National Post concludes that the status of braille's longevity is limited. However, I strongly feel that braille is as useful, relevant and important as when it was first invented.
While assistive technology has grown tremendously in recent years, nothing can replace the value of true literacy. Screen readers, e-...
Posted on: 13 Aug 2010
We are now one week into the implementation of the Credit Card Act, which addresses new credit card disclosure practices. In essence, these introduced regulations ensure the clear communication of interest rates, annual fees, and penalty charges to customers. Finance Minister Flaherty is to be commended for his decision to mandate that organizations more effectively communicate such important financial terms.
Many Canadian banks and credit card...
Posted on: 03 Mar 2010
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. For the over 10 million blind and partially sighted individuals in the U.S., it is communication barriers that are most...
Posted on: 02 Jul 2009
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. ...
Posted on: 04 May 2009
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...
Posted on: 13 Apr 2009
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!
This...
Posted on: 01 Apr 2009
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. A secure processing and...
Posted on: 12 Mar 2009
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 .
When North America’s approximately 12.8 million blind and partially sighted individuals receive any personal identity, (government-issued documents), and account information, (bank/credit card statements, credit...
Posted on: 04 Mar 2009
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. Open for public review as of November 17th, the proposed standard, which outlines potential accessible communication requirements of both public and private organizations, will now be open until February 6th, 2009, extended from the originally...
Posted on: 10 Dec 2008
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. Not only does this initiative promote independence and...
Posted on: 25 Nov 2008
