Resources for Federally Regulated Organizations

Case studies by Doris Rajan for Justice Canada

Languages: English, French

This document provides stories of barriers experienced by Indigenous, racialized, Black, 2SLGBTQI+ people.

This report was written by IRIS’ Doris Rajan for Justice Canada during the onset of the pandemic in 2020. The report focuses on experiences in Western Canada, including British Colombia, Alberta, Saskatchewan, and Manitoba.

Information is provided about the kinds of serious problems diverse people with disabilities experience. There are also details about the ways that people try to address these problems. In addition, the report looks at the impacts of these difficulties on the lives of diverse people with disabilities.

Thirty people with disabilities took part in the study which was conducted using interviews and through one focus group. A wide range of people with disabilities is represented in the group with a range of ages, and household income as well.

Of particular relevance to The Accessibility Exchange users are the focus on problems related to access to health, social and education services, problems with insurance companies, and employers.

This resource contains the discussion guide for the focus group.

Learn more by clicking on the following link

Case studies by Web Accessibility Initiative

Languages: English, French

As federally regulated organizations prepare their accessibility plans, another consideration is that the plan itself is accessible.

Web Accessibility Initiative WAI has a website that provides information on a variety of disabilities. The site also details the sorts of barriers that people with these disabilities encounter when they are using websites. For each disability type, there are also stories about people’s experiences using websites. The following disabilities are discussed:

• Auditory

• Cognitive, learning, and neurological

• Physical

• Speech

• Visual

Learn more by clicking on the following link

Guidelines and best practices by McCarthy Tétreault Law Firm

Languages: English, French

This 2019 article by the law firm McCarthy Tetrault provides an overview of the Accessible Canada Act.

This article also covers the major things federally regulated entities should know about this legislation. For example, there are potential fines of up to $250,000 per day if the Act is not followed. Four other pertinent aspects of the Act are highlighted.

Learn more by clicking on the following link

Practical guides and how tos by Government of Ontario

Languages: English, French

As the first province in Canada to have the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act, Ontario has already given considerable thought to creating Accessibility Plans and policies. This webpage is worth reviewing before developing your own accessibility plans.

This provincial government resource gives the following step process:

Step 1: Create your accessibility policies

Step 2: Create your multi-year plan

Step 3: Review and update your policies and plans

There is also a section on common barriers and solutions.

Learn more by clicking on the following link

Guidelines and best practices by The Canadian Association of the Deaf

Languages: English, French

The Canadian Association of the Deaf provides this overview of terminology. There are many terms and understanding the differences is important. These terms include:

deaf

Deaf (with capital D)

deafened (Also known as late-deafened)

hard of hearing

hearing impaired

person who is deaf

manual deaf, Signing deaf

oral deaf

deaf-mute

Deaf-plus

Check out this resource to ensure you are using the right terminology.