You Don’t Have to Do It Alone: Support from the IT Accessibility Office Is Available!

You don’t need to be an accessibility expert, web developer, or policymaker to make a difference in digital accessibility. By taking an accessibility-first approach and using IT accessible solutions, tools, and best practices, you can apply accessibility to your everyday tasks.

Mark Your Calendars for Upcoming Events!

Overcoming Adversity: Redesign, Rebuild, Reclaim

Special Announcement: Deputy Minister Namiesniowski will open the session to acknowledge the Global Accessibility Awareness Day (GAAD) event.

Get ready to be inspired by Martin Paquette on May 15, 2025, in honour of (GAAD). Join us to learn about how his incredible journey from facing cancer and disabilities to reclaiming his path as a manager is a testament to resilience and determination. Witness how he transformed challenges into opportunities to rebuild his life and career.

IT Accessibility Office (ITAO) In-Person and Virtual Kiosk

Join us for our next event during National AccessAbility Awareness Week (NAAW), where we will be partnering up with the Centre of Expertise for Optimizing Employee Potential to answer your questions and tell you more about our services:

• In-Person – May 27, 2025
  Location: Place du portage, Phase-IV, 1st Floor, 140 Promenade du portage (top of the escalator near the commissionaire desk)
  Time: 8:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. (Eastern Daylight Time)
• Your One-Stop Information Portal – May 29, 2025
  Location: MS Teams – Join the ITAO Kiosk: Your One-Stop Information Portal
  Time: 10:00 a.m. to noon and 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. (Eastern Daylight Time)

This in-person and virtual kiosk are an opportunity to get answers to your questions and learn more about our services.

Accessibility Training

Stay up-to-date with regular training sessions to keep up with changes and enhance your knowledge and skills! Sign up today for the next available Accessibility Training session.

Need More Help with Digital Accessibility?

ITAO is here to help. Our team is made up of dedicated individuals who are passionate about collaborating with you to support your accessibility journey. Here’s a quick look at the valuable work that ITAO does:

1. The IT Accessibility Audit Team ensures that all Employment and Social Development Canada (ESDC) digital platforms meet accessibility standards by auditing documents, websites, and software.
2. The Accessibility Centre of Excellence Team assesses your needs and provides personalized adaptive and assistive technology, loan bank services, and end-user support.
3. The IT Accessibility Service Management Team drives the cultural shift of IT accessibility by implementing strategic initiatives aligned with ESDC’s Accessibility Plan. The team also promotes ITAO services, such as training sessions and articles, through outreach and communications.
4. The IT Accessibility Outreach, Communications and Support Team is on a mission to promote IT Accessibility within ESDC! They organize engaging events, publish articles, share tips and tricks, and develop amazing tools - such as the Best Practices Guide for PowerPoint – to empower everyone.

In the upcoming editions of IITB News, you will learn more about our teams and activities and how we can help you create a digitally accessible workplace.

If you have a question about digital accessibility or if you need guidance, please reach out to us through the intake form or send us an inquiry at edsc.ti-it.a11y.esdc@hrsdc-rhdcc.gc.ca and we will be happy to help you.

- IT Accessibility Office