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Information and Communication Technology and People with Limited Vision or Photosensitive Epilepsy

The AODA has requirements for web accessibility, as well as requirements for the procurement of self-service kiosks. However, the third review of the AODA recommends that future AODA standards should align with existing standards in other parts of the country.

For instance, Accessibility Standards Canada (ASC) has adopted European standards for accessibility in information and communication technology (ICT). Future AODA standards may include some or all of these guidelines and requirements to make ICT products and services more accessible. In this article, we explore guidelines in the federal standards that empower people to find, recognize, and use information and communication technology with limited vision.

Information and Communication Technology and People with Limited Vision

Many ICT products and services have visual interfaces, inputs, and outputs. For example, people look at screens to:

  • View media
  • read instructions
  • make selections
  • Respond to prompts or error messages
  • Review information they have entered

However, many people are blind, visually impaired, deafblind, or colour blind. Therefore, the standards require that ICT products and services with visual interfaces must have at least one (1) mode of access that is non-visual.

For example, people may perceive the contents of screens through audio narration. Alternatively, people may use screen readers or Braille displays to hear or feel screens. Moreover, people must be able to turn non-visual access modes on without vision. For example, a Braille or audio prompt should provide instructions to turn on this feature. Similarly, people should be able to control volume without vision. Likewise, people should be able to locate the different parts of a device without vision. Moreover, people should be able to find these operable parts, but not activate them.

Similarly, devices with locking or toggle controls that display their status visually should have at least one (1) mode of access where the status is audible or tactile. Locking or toggle controls have only two (2) or three (3) states that people can switch between. For example, these controls include:

  • Caps lock on a computer
  • Pay phone volume controls with three (3) options

People should be able to verify by touch or by sound whether:

  • Caps lock is on or off
  • Volume is set at normal, loud, or extra loud

Screen Readers

Web developers and content creators should design webpages that screen readers can interpret, including semantic elements such as:

In addition, designers should avoid use of colour or other visual styles as the only way to distinguish important information.

Keyboards or Keypads

Furthermore, people should be able to use keyboards or keypads to navigate ICT. For instance, people may:

Alternatively, people may view screens using magnification software. Developers and content creators should design websites and other ICT with visual elements that meet people’s needs, such as:

For instance, people should be able to customize contrast, as well as text size, spacing, brightness, and intensity. In addition, designers should not use depth as the only way to distinguish content.

Limiting Likelihood of Seizures

Finally, some ICT products and services may have visual output that flashes frequently. However, some people have photosensitive epilepsy and experience seizures caused by flashing lights. Therefore, the standards require ICT products and services with visual output to have at least one (1) mode of access that minimizes the likelihood of seizures.

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