Canada’s National AccessAbility Week

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Lessons Learned: Canada’s Past, Present, and Future in Digital Accessibility [Free Webinar]

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On behalf of all of us at 3Play Media and 3Play Media Canada, we’re thrilled to recognize Canada’s National AccessAbility Week!

National AccessAbility Week is an annual opportunity to celebrate the valuable contributions and leadership of Canadians with disabilities, highlight the work of people, organizations, and communities that are removing barriers, and reflect on ongoing efforts to become a better, more accessible, more inclusive Canada.

While National AccessAbility Week is only from May 28 to June 3, 2023, we hope you’ll continue raising disability awareness and acceptance all year long.

In this blog, we’ll share some of our favorite 3Play Media content by and about incredible Canadian accessibility experts and advocates.

Lessons Learned: Canada’s Past, Present, and Future in Digital Accessibility with David Berman

Canada is recognized as a global leader in digital accessibility, most recently with their introduction of the Accessible Canada Act. Like all countries, Canada has an imperfect history when it comes to accessibility and inclusivity, but what can others learn from Canada in how to operationalize an accessible ecosystem? How can other countries build inclusive practices into their culture and legislation?

On Global Accessibility Awareness Day (GAAD) 2023, David Berman, an internationally recognized expert in inclusive design and strategic communications, presented Lessons Learned: Canada’s Past, Present, and Future in Digital Accessibility. He discussed Canada’s history of leadership in accessibility and predicted where the puck is heading regarding regulations and emerging standards that can benefit everyone within and beyond Canada’s borders.

 

Disability Representation in Accessibility with Nic Steenhout

Accessibility consultant Nicolas Steenhout joined us on 3Play Media’s Allied Podcast to discuss disability representation in accessibility.

We were excited to welcome Nic to Allied, as getting disabled people involved in accessibility work is a crucial yet under-discussed topic.

In his Allied episode, Nic discussed how we can make the field of accessibility more inclusive, why disabled voices matter in accessibility work, and how we can find balance in cross-disability advocacy and allyship.

Central to Nic’s episode was the concept “nothing about us without us.” The term, which came to prominence in disability activism during the 1990s, communicates that no policy impacting disabled people should be decided without the full and direct participation of disabled people.

“Without a really strong understanding of the lived experience, without the perspective of disabled users, we’re going to do things for disabled people rather than with disabled people,” Nic said. “And this seems, to me, to be very othering rather than inclusive.”

To make products and services genuinely accessible, employers must include people with disabilities in accessibility work.

To learn more about disability representation in accessibility, listen to Nic’s Allied episode below or read the transcript.

 

Going Beyond the Listener: Accessible Audio for Podcasting with Nic Steenhout

Nic Steenhout also joined us for our webinar series with his presentation Going Beyond the Listener: Accessible Audio for Podcasting. In his presentation, Nic shared expert tips and tricks for hosting an inclusive podcast and why it matters for a better listener experience.

Nic covered:

• Benefits of accessible podcasting for your audience
• Elements that make a podcast accessible
• Features to look for in your podcasting platform and tools

Written transcripts are a great tool to make podcast audio accessible to deaf and hard-of-hearing individuals. But making the podcast audio accessible isn’t the only element of an accessible podcast. Nic discussed additional tips for improving podcast accessibility:

• Ensuring you have an accessible website
• Offering alternative methods for consuming podcast content
• Providing a clear audio recording
• Employing accessible marketing
• Publishing with an accessible media player

Nic also hosts his own podcast, A11y Rules, which provides a great example of an inclusive podcast!

 

What Goes Wrong When We Design For People and Not with People with David Berman

In this episode of Allied Podcast, David Berman discusses what can go wrong when we design for people with disabilities and not with people with disabilities.

Often referred to as the ‘David Suzuki of design,’ David Berman has been influenced by many different industries, but design has always remained at the center of it all. 

David has over 30 years of experience in design and communications and has worked extensively in the adaptation of content for electronic distribution, including accessible web and software interface development.

David regularly teaches WCAG accessibility as part of his professional development workshops. His work includes award-winning projects for the City of Ottawa, the Ontario government, and Canada’s federal government. David has provided consultancy, training, and testing to IBM, the Ontario Ministry of Community and Social Services, AODA office, and the Norwegian Design Council on Accessibility Issues. 

To learn more about what can go wrong when we design for people with disabilities and not with people with disabilities, listen to David’s Allied episode below or read the transcript.

 

What the Pandemic Has Taught Us About How to Make Every Meeting More Accessible: Online or Hybrid Learning that Leaves No One Behind with David Berman

In addition to joining us on Allied Podcast, David Berman has also been a frequent guest on our webinar series. In his presentation What the Pandemic Has Taught Us About How to Make Every Meeting More Accessible, David shares experiences and insights that will help you include everyone in learning, whether remote or in person, while enjoying the “Accessibility Dividend” for all.

The COVID-19 pandemic forced both schools and corporations to figure out how to swiftly get remote, distance, and hybrid learning ready for everyone. Many of our government and higher-ed institutions were saying “I finally get it” regarding the importance of digital accessibility for both synchronous and asynchronous events. Challenges formerly experienced by a minority of attendees suddenly became challenges for the majority, leading to breakthrough opportunities to improve the entire meeting ecosystem.

Post-pandemic, how we interact has changed forever, in ways that have the power to benefit everyone, advancing equity, diversity, and inclusion.

12 Things You Need to Know About WCAG 2.1: How it Impacts Your Work and Laws Around the Globe with David Berman

Did you know that more countries with accessibility laws already reference WCAG 2.1 rather than WCAG 2.0?

Do you know how WCAG 2.1 will impact your work and your responsibilities?

Countries around the world are improving their accessibility regulations. In his webinar 12 Things You Need to Know About WCAG 2.1, David Berman discusses digital accessibility for Canada’s Accessible Canada Act, Europe’s EN 301 549, and Australia’s Disability Discrimination Act.

David Berman has worked with dozens of development teams from around the world, helping them update to the latest standards and can show you the easiest path to get there, no matter where you are right now.

This presentation covers:

• Everything that’s in WCAG 2.1
• How WCAG 2.1 AA compares to WCAG 2.0 AA
• Whether your laws call for WCAG 2.1, and by when
• The best methods to get to WCAG 2.1 AA certified conformance

Navigating Broadcast Accessibility in Canada with Melina Nathanail

This fireside chat with Melina Nathanail, President of 3Play Media Canada, explores the importance of accessibility in the broadcast industry in Canada. Learn about the latest regulations and guidelines for making television accessible to all audiences, including those with disabilities. Get insights on best practices for ensuring your content meets the requirements and standards set by the Canadian Radio-Television and Telecommunications Commission (CRTC). This session is essential for anyone in the broadcast industry or working towards a more inclusive media landscape in Canada.

Discussion areas include:

• Best practices for broadcast accessibility
• Implementing accessibility features in the production process
• An overview of accessibility regulations in Canada
• The future of accessibility in the broadcast industry

 

5 Things to Know About Canada’s Chief Accessibility Officer

The Government of Canada announced Stephanie Cadieux’s appointment as Chief Accessibility Officer in May 2022. The role was introduced as part of the Accessible Canada Act, an accessibility law that aims to identify, remove, and prevent barriers to accessibility across Canada. Cadieux brings a deep background of advocacy, leadership, and lived experience as a disabled person to the inaugural position.

But how does the position fit into the Government of Canada’s disability inclusion initiatives?

In this blog about Canada’s Chief Accessibility Officer, we explore what a Chief Accessibility Officer is, why Stephanie Cadieux was chosen for this new federal role, and how the position could impact Canadian accessibility for years to come.

Canada’s National AccessAbility Week