IT Digital Accessibility – A Collective Responsibility at Employment and Social Development Canada

At Employment and Social Development Canada (ESDC), creating an inclusive and accessible digital workplace is more than just a legal obligation – it is a collective responsibility. ESDC’s IT Accessibility Office (ITAO) is dedicated to applying the Accessibility From the Start principle, ensuring our digital workplace is accessible for all.

As an ESDC employee, you play a key role in IT accessibility. By immersing yourself in the evolving IT accessibility culture and implementing this principle, you contribute to ensuring a barrier-free inclusive digital workplace.

ITAO is your partner in creating an inclusive digital workplace. We provide adaptive and assistive technology, IT accessible solutions, and expert guidance to help you make the change. To further strengthen our partnership, we invite you to the Learn More About the IT Accessibility Office (ITAO) and Watch a Live Demonstration of the Microsoft 365 Accessibility Checker session on November 13, 2024.

Don’t miss this opportunity to join us in making technology work for everyone.

Your Role in Implementing IT Accessibility From the Start

Accessibility is a frequent topic of discussion. We are talking the talk, but are we collectively walking the walk? Make IT digital accessibility non-negotiable in your team.

Your role in implementing IT digital accessibility from the start begins with:

  1. Championing digital accessibility by signing up for our recurring accessibility trainings. Advocating inclusiveness by supporting your colleagues, sharing best practices, and implementing resources to create accessible documents in your daily work.
  2. Making it a habit by opening the Microsoft 365 Accessibility Checker as soon as you use Microsoft products. Use the Accessibility Checker to identify and fix accessibility issues in your documents. Then, review ESDC’s ITAO Microsoft Document Compliance Checklist to ensure your Microsoft Office documents meet accessibility standards. Learn More About the IT Accessibility Office (ITAO) and Watch a Live Demonstration of the Microsoft 365 Accessibility Checker.
  3. Conveying your information clearly by using plain language and descriptive links. Avoid overly wordy links and aim to use fewer words that accurately describe the information. Refer to the Canada.ca Content Style Guide on writing descriptive links.
  4. Utilizing the Colour Contrast Analyzer to check if your website or document meets accessibility standards. Contact the National Service Desk to obtain the Colour Contrast Analyzer.
  5. Creating and sending accessible emails only. Learn the best practices on Creating an Accessible Outlook Email by ESDC’s ITAO.
    Take it one step further! Let people know you prioritize and prefer receiving accessible content. This simple action encourages others to adopt accessible practices. To activate this setting:
    • Open Outlook and go to File > Info.
    • Select the link under Access this account on the web to open Outlook on the web.
    • In Outlook on the web, go to Settings (the gear icon).
    • Select General > Accessibility.
    • Check the box for Ask senders to send content that’s accessible.
    • Close the Settings window.

How ESDC’S ITAO Supports Your Role

ITAO prioritizes making your IT and digital projects accessible by offering expert guidance, resources, tools, and hands-on support every step of the way. We can assist you using our three-tiered approach:

  1. Information and Communications Technology Accessibility Audit Team (ICTAA) ensures all ESDC digital platforms meet accessibility standards by auditing documents, websites, and software.
  2. Accessibility Centre of Excellence Team (ACE) assesses your needs and provides personalized adaptive and assistive technology, loan bank services, and end-user support.
  3. IT Accessibility Service Management Team (SMT) drives the cultural shift of IT accessibility by implementing strategic initiatives aligned with ESDC’s Accessibility Plan. SMT also promotes ITAO services—such as training sessions and articles—through outreach and communications.

We are here to help you succeed. Connect with us by filling out the intake form or sending an inquiry to edsc.ti-it.a11y.esdc@hrsdc-rhdcc.gc.ca.

Call to Action

Make IT accessibility a priority! Start every project with the Microsoft 365 Accessibility Checker and use it consistently.