The COVID-19 pandemic shows us how important healthcare is for every person in Ontario and around the world. In addition, the pandemic has emphasized the many barriers that already exist in the Ontario healthcare system for patients with disabilities. AODA healthcare standards could prevent and remove these barriers, and ensure that all Ontarians access the care they need. For instance, AODA guidelines for accessible public health information could prevent or remove some of the barriers Ontario patients face.
Accessible Public Health Information
During the COVID-19 pandemic, the Ontario government has been providing frequent updates to citizens about the pandemic’s progression. For instance, media releases alert citizens to:
- Numbers of people newly diagnosed with COVID-19
- Advice on when to wear masks
Similarly, the Premier makes speeches to announce mandates to protect the public, such as:
- Lockdowns or stay-at-home orders
- Information about available vaccines
Likewise, websites for local health integration networks allow the public to:
- Register to receive a vaccine
- View graphs and statistics showing the progression of the virus in their areas
All people should have access to these and other types of public health information. AODA health standards could include mandates requiring that all public health information is presented in accessible ways.
For example, the Premier’s speeches now include American Sign Language (ASL) interpretation. AODA healthcare standards could mandate that all speeches providing public health information must include interpretation. In addition, other communication supports should be an integral part of these events, including:
- Captioning
- Versions in plain language
Online Public Health Information
Furthermore, every citizen in Ontario should have access to websites that provide public health information. For instance, graphs comparing cases of the pandemic across the province, or over time, may not be accessible for people using screen readers. However, this information can be conveyed in alternative-text (alt-text) descriptions of the graphs.
In addition, online processes for arranging vaccine appointments should also be fully accessible. People should be able to book an appointment using:
- Keyboard or voice commands, instead of a mouse
- Other input devices, such as:
- Trackballs
- Touch screens
- Light pens
- Joysticks
- Head pointers
- Mouth sticks
Under the Information and Communications Standards of the AODA, the websites of public-sector organizations, such as local health integration networks, should already be accessible. However, the AODA sometimes allows organizations exemptions from fully complying with these standards. As a result, it is possible that some networks’ websites may not allow all people to book appointments or access information. AODA healthcare standards could remove this barrier by mandating that exemptions for web accessibility cannot apply to websites providing public health information.
The COVID-19 pandemic has shown us how important public health information is. Guidelines in the AODA healthcare standards could ensure that everyone in Ontario can be informed about the health of their communities.