Information and communication technologies

Here are Accessibility Standards Canada’s standards and funded grants and contributions research related to information and communication technologies. Check here often for new information related to this priority area.

Standards

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CAN-ASC-6.1 Information and Communication Technology Products and Services

CAN-ASC-6.1 Information and Communication Technology Products and Services

Areas of focus

Areas where people with disabilities may face barriers in information and communication technology products and services include:

  • websites
  • software
  • electronic devices
  • mobile apps

The technical Committee on Accessibility Requirements for Information and Communication Technology Products and Services will work towards the adoption in its entirety of the European harmonized standard “EN 301 549, Accessibility requirements for ICT products and services”. The adoption of this standard represents a fundamental step in accessible Canadian procurement advancement.

This standard is in development

Standard started on February 25, 2022

Public review expected in winter 2023

Publication expected in fall 2023

Technical committee members

Academic and research bodies

David Berman, Principal, David Berman Communications

Karen McCall, Accessible Digital Content Consultant and Educator, Karlen Communications

Jennifer Jahnke, Professor, Coordinator, Lead Researcher, Mohawk College, Accessible Media Production graduate certificate program

Consumer and public interest

Jessica Blackwood, Accessible Digital Media Specialist Supervisor, McMaster University

Kelly Johnson, Founder/Principal Consultant, Completely Inclusive

Lisa Snider, Senior Consultant and Trainer, Access Changes Everything Incorporated

Rylan Vroom (Chairperson) Digital accessibility Lead, Scotiabank

Luna Bengio, Senior Accessibility Expert and Strategic Advisor (retired public service executive)

Hannah Stegen, Chief Consultant, CultureAlly Software Incorporated

Federally regulated industries and workplaces

Brian Moore, Senior Accessibility Specialist, TD Bank

David Fourney, Owner and Senior Accessibility Consultant, Digital Design 4 All Incorporated

Michelle Barr, Digital Accessibility, Frameworks & Strategy Lead, CIBC

Government and authorities having jurisdiction 

Arvind Srivastava, Expert Advisor, Treasury Board of Canada Secretariat

Jeffrey Stark, Program Manager, Accessibility, Accommodation & Adaptive Computer Technology Program, Shared Service Canada

Robin East, IT Analyst/Developer, Canada Revenue Agency – Accessibility Centre of Excellence

Industry and commerce

Mostafa Aboelneil, User Experience Strategist, Accessibility and Usability Testing consultant, Hexagon ALI

John Baird, Owner, McLean Consulting Group

John Weigelt (Vice chairperson), National Technology Officer, Microsoft Canada 

Non-governmental Organizations

Gary Birch, Executive Director, Neil Squire Society

Lui Greco, Manager Regulatory Affairs, Canadian National Institute for the Blind

Alan Bridgeman, Technology Evangelist, National Educational Association of Disabled Students 

CAN-ASC-6.2 Accessible and Equitable Artificial Intelligence Systems

CAN-ASC-6.2 Accessible and Equitable Artificial Intelligence Systems

Areas of focus

Areas where people with disabilities may face barriers in artificial intelligence systems include:

  • being excluded from a system’s:
    • design and development
    • implementation and use
    • evaluation and improvement
  • not being able to access a system due to their disability
  • lack of privacy regarding their disability data 
  • bias in the system’s statistical reasoning 
  • unfair outcomes
  • no mechanism for challenging automated decisions
  • ethical oversight that is not clear or transparent

This standard is in development

Standard expected to start in fall 2023

Public review expected in winter 2026

Publication expected in spring 2027

Technical committee members

To be established

Grants and Contributions Research

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Future of Work and Disability

Future of Work and Disability

This research project is completed.

Who is leading the research?

Ontario College of Art and Design University

What is the goal of this study?

This study will look at how artificial intelligence and other technologies affect people with disabilities. The goal is to determine whether these technologies limit or improve their employment opportunities and well-being.

Why does this study matter?

The use of artificial intelligence in employment processes is increasing. The impact of this on people with disabilities needs to be studied. This will ensure everyone is treated equally. It will also ensure that people with disabilities are not excluded from the process as an unintended consequence.

What are the key findings?

  • Artificial intelligence cannot overcome certain employment barriers. These include job applications that are not accessible. It also includes systems that do not value the skills of people with disabilities.
  • Artificial intelligence could support inclusion by removing hiring barriers. Adaptive technologies that are based on artificial intelligence can be used to support people with disabilities. Data can be used to “train” artificial intelligence to recognize and support diversity.

Artificial intelligence can support inclusion. However, it cannot overcome attitudinal barriers. These continue to be the greatest barrier to employment for people with disabilities.

 If you would like a full copy of the report, please email us.

Research and Inform Standards for Next-Generation 911

Research and Inform Standards for Next-Generation 911

This research project is still underway.

Who is leading the research?

Neil Squire Society

What is the goal of this study?

This study will review emerging technologies that enable accessible communication. This will optimize the accessibility of Next-Generation 911 for people with disabilities. 

Why does this study matter?

Next-Generation 911 needs to be accessible to people with all types of disabilities.

What are the key findings?

Key findings will be shared once the research is completed.

The Future of Work: Equitable Digital Systems

The Future of Work: Equitable Digital Systems

This research project is still underway.

Who is leading the research?

Ontario College of Art and Design University

What is the goal of this study?

This study will review the digital tools and software used in federally regulated workplaces that present barriers to employees with disabilities.

Why does this study matter?

These tools need to be accessible to improve employment opportunities for people with all types of disabilities.

What are the key findings?

Key findings will be shared once the research is completed.

Developing Recommendations and Guidelines for Augmentative and Alternative Communication to Enable Persons with Motor, Communication, and Speech Impairment to Participate in Employment

Developing Recommendations and Guidelines for Augmentative and Alternative Communication to Enable Persons with Motor, Communication, and Speech Impairment to Participate in Employment

This research project is still underway.

Who is leading the research?

Queen’s University

What is the goal of this study?

Augmentative and alternative communication devices make it possible to communicate in ways other than speech. The goal of this study is to determine the requirements for such devices to enable people with motor control and communication disabilities to participate in employment.

Why does this study matter?

This research will help improve access to employment opportunities for people with motor control and communication disabilities.

What are the key findings?

Key findings will be shared once the research is completed.

Accessibility of Online Transactions in Canadian Banking Websites

Accessibility of Online Transactions in Canadian Banking Websites

This research project is still underway.

Who is leading the research?

Regroupement des aveugles et amblyopes du Québec (RAAQ)

What is the goal of this study?

This study will look at the online services that Quebec’s financial institutions offer through their websites. It will gather information on any barriers that people with disabilities face when accessing and using these services. The goal will be to develop best practices for providing online services that are accessible to all clients.

Why does this study matter?

The banking sector continues to innovate and expand its online presence. It is important that accessibility needs are considered so that online banking services are available to everyone.

What are the key findings?

Key findings will be shared once the research is completed.

Understanding User Perspectives of the Speed, Accuracy, and Delay Trade-off for Captioning Fast-Paced Media Content

Understanding User Perspectives of the Speed, Accuracy, and Delay Trade-off for Captioning Fast-Paced Media Content

This research project is still underway.

Who is leading the research?

Ryerson University

What is the goal of this study?

This study will determine user preferences for live captioning of fast-paced live media. This will be based on feedback from the deaf and hard-of-hearing community.

Why does this study matter?

Engagement with user groups is essential. This is needed to ensure that live captioning meets the needs of the deaf and hard-of-hearing community.

What are the key findings?

Key findings will be shared once the research is completed.

Developing Recommendations for the Standardization of Wayfinding Technologies

Developing Recommendations for the Standardization of Wayfinding Technologies

This research project is still underway.

Who is leading the research?

University Health Network

What is the goal of this study?

This study will review existing wayfinding technologies. It will also look at the barriers faced by people with disabilities in using these technologies. The goal of this study is to inform future wayfinding standards. 

Why does this study matter?

Wayfinding technologies guide people through the built environment. It is important to ensure they are accessible to people with all types of disabilities.

What are the key findings?

Key findings will be shared once the research is completed.

A Study of Accessible and Inclusive Virtual and Blended Service Provision Models for the Federal Public Service and Federally Regulated Industries in Post-COVID-19 Canada

A Study of Accessible and Inclusive Virtual and Blended Service Provision Models for the Federal Public Service and Federally Regulated Industries in Post-COVID-19 Canada

This research project is still underway.

Who is leading the research?

University of Ontario Institute of Technology

What is the goal of this study?

This study will develop recommendations on service provision models for the federal public service. These will also be aimed at federally regulated industries. The goal is to ensure the services these bodies provide are accessible to people with sensory and cognitive disabilities.

Why does this study matter?

People with sensory and cognitive disabilities need improved access to services.

What are the key findings?

Key findings will be shared once the research is completed.

Usability of Digital Information and Information Technology for Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities

Usability of Digital Information and Information Technology for Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities

This research project is still underway.

Who is leading the research?

Surrey Place

What is the goal of this study?

People with disabilities face barriers when accessing and participating in the digital world. This study will make recommendations on accessibility standards for information and communication technologies. The goal is to remove barriers for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. 

Why does this study matter?

The digital world is becoming increasingly integrated with our daily lives. Technologies are needed to ensure people with intellectual and developmental disabilities can access that world. 

What are the key findings?

Key findings will be shared once the research is completed.

Towards Better Accessibility in Communications: Identifying the Barriers Faced by People with Aphasia in Financial Institutions

Towards Better Accessibility in Communications: Identifying the Barriers Faced by People with Aphasia in Financial Institutions

This research project is still underway.

Who is leading the research?

Association des personnes intéressées à l’aphasie et a l’accident vasculaire cérébral

What is the goal of this study?

People with aphasia and other communication disabilities experience barriers when accessing banking services. This includes services provided by staff and when using banking machines. The goal is to identify these barriers and how to remove them.

Why does this study matter?

Banking services need to be accessible to people with communication disabilities.

What are the key findings?

Key findings will be shared once the research is completed.

Informing Standards for Acoustics and the Built Environment

Informing Standards for Acoustics and the Built Environment

This research project is still underway.

Who is leading the research?

Carleton University

What is the goal of this study?

This study will look at the impact of the acoustic environment on people with disabilities. It will explore ways to reduce noise. It will also examine assistive listening technologies. The goal is to contribute to the removal and prevention of acoustics barriers.

Why does this study matter?

Finding the right balance between the built environment and assistive listening devices is important. This will improve access and increase the comfort of people with disabilities.

What are the key findings?

Key findings will be shared once the research is completed.

Accessible and Explainable Artificial Intelligence in Decision-Making

Accessible and Explainable Artificial Intelligence in Decision-Making

This research project is still underway.

Who is leading the research?

Canadian National Institute for the Blind

What is the goal of this study?

This study will develop best practices. The goal is to integrate accessibility considerations when making decisions related to artificial intelligence.

Why does this study matter?

Decisions are increasingly being made based on artificial intelligence. The impact of this on people with disabilities needs to be studied. This will ensure that everyone is treated equally.

What are the key findings?

Key findings will be shared once the research is completed.

Visualizing Accessibility Standards: A Demonstration with CSA B651

Visualizing Accessibility Standards: A Demonstration with CSA B651

This research project is still underway.

Who is leading the research?

Dalhousie University

What is the goal of this study?

Visual reference materials and tools can be helpful for presenting technical documentation. This study will look at how these can benefit people with visual disabilities. 

Why does this study matter?

Using visual aids to present technical information can improve information sharing. It can also increase understanding for all stakeholders.

What are the key findings?

Key findings will be shared once the research is completed.