THUNDER BAY — Accessibility advocates are hoping federal agencies will meet them halfway on a new program aimed at improving online accessibility.
Citizens With Disabilities Ontario celebrated 20 years of public education and advocacy on Thursday with the promotion of its accessibility exchange platform.
“We had developed this online platform that is meant to connect people with disabilities in the community with federally regulated organizations,” said Doris Rajan, managing director of New Society institute, which manages the platform.
Although the website connects people living with disabilities with federally regulated organizations, NSI is hoping agencies will meet them half way to change lives.
“The idea is that an organization who participates in this comes up with the accessibility plan, so it's not just hearing about the issues, it's actually doing something about it,” Rajan said.
“There needs to be policy changes from provincial territorial governments, there needs to be more investment in accessibility,” she said.
Many of the accessibility issues being faced today are not being addressed, websites are difficult to navigate and accessing online services can be a near impossible task for people living with varying disabilities, she said.
“People do not consider all disabilities,” said Pat Seed a member of Citizens with Disabilities Ontario.
Steed's own mother is the one who inspires her to advocate for other people in her communities.
“My mom had the kind of independent character about her that she would go and tell my teachers, 'let her do this, let her do that kind,'” she said. “So when I came here to Thunder Bay I looked for organizations that I could volunteer for."
Believing in accessibility is what really keeps the community going, she said.
“If you know and believe you can, you will,” said Seed. “And so that's one of the things that I always try and go by,”
Information on the accessibility exchange platform can be found on their website.
