Will your website be accessible to everyone by January 2012?

October 5, 2011

The whole point of good communication is to make information accessible to your audience. Sometimes we forget an essential and growing target audience: one in seven Ontarians who have disabilities. With aging baby boomers, that number is projected to jump to one in five over the next 20 years. The Ontario government passed the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act, 2005 to help people with disabilities overcome obstacles, with the goal of making Ontario accessible by 2025. How does this affect you? All Ontario business websites must be accessible to hearing- and visually-impaired people by January 2012. That gives you 9 months to ensure your website makes the grade. The good news?The government will share 75 percent of the costs to make your website accessible. Here are some tips – taken from the Registered Graphic Designers of Ontario’s new handbook on accessible design -- for making your website accessible:

• Convey information in text only, or have text alternatives.
• Colour is crucial! Try black text on a tan background. Information cannot be based on a distinguishing colour (e.g. using red to mean ‘stop’).
• Remember the user’s varying ability to use a mouse and keyboard due to disease or arthritis. Include large clickable icons and keyboard alternatives to using a mouse.
• Make all your pages consistent so information is easy to find.
• Use clear language so users can find and understand all information.

For more information on the Ontario government’s requirements, visit www.mcss.gov.on.ca. Or give gordongroup a call.