Accessibility statement

1. Our commitment

Accessibility is not a separate stream of work for us. Material that is hard to read, a venue with a step at the door or a session that cannot be followed without hearing the instructor all mean the same thing: someone did not receive the education we exist to provide.

We plan, procure and deliver with that in mind, and we publish what we have not yet solved rather than describing only our successes.

2. Legislative framework

We work to meet the requirements of the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act, 2005 (AODA) and its Integrated Accessibility Standards Regulation, including the requirements relating to information and communications, customer service and public events.

Our multi-year accessibility plan is reviewed every three years and is available in an alternative format on request.

3. Website conformance

This website is designed to conform with the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) 2.1 at Level AA. Practically, that means:

• semantic HTML structure with one main heading per page and a logical heading order;
• every function reachable and operable with a keyboard alone, with a visible focus indicator;
• text contrast of at least 4.5:1 against its background, and 3:1 for large text and interface borders;
• text descriptions for illustrations that carry information, and hidden decorative graphics from assistive technology;
• form fields with permanently visible labels and error messages that name the field and say how to fix it;
• reduced motion honoured when your operating system requests it;
• layouts that reflow to 320 pixels and remain usable at 200 per cent zoom.

4. How we test

Pages are checked with automated tooling on each update, and manually at least twice a year using keyboard-only navigation and screen readers on both desktop and mobile. We also test at 200 per cent zoom, in high-contrast mode and with images disabled.

Automated testing catches a minority of real barriers, so we treat feedback from people using assistive technology as our most reliable source of information.

5. Known limitations

We publish these openly:

• Embedded map. The map on the contact page is provided by a third party and we do not control its accessibility. The full address, transit directions and access details are always given in text beside it.
• Older PDFs. Documents published before 2023 are not fully tagged for screen readers. They are being remediated in order of download volume, and any of them is available as accessible HTML or large print within three business days on request.
• Archived session recordings. Recordings made before 2024 carry automatic captions that have not been human-corrected. Recordings from 2024 onwards are corrected before publication.

6. Alternative formats

Any material we publish is available at no charge in large print, in plain-text or accessible HTML, and read aloud over the telephone by a staff member. Braille and audio versions are arranged through a partner organisation.

Requests are fulfilled within three business days for short documents and within ten for a full guide. Write to access@ofor.info or call us during office hours.

7. Accessible venues

We book venues with step-free entry, an accessible washroom on the same level, adequate lighting and seating that can be rearranged. Where a partner venue cannot meet that standard, we say so in the listing and offer an alternative session rather than proceeding quietly.

Assistive listening equipment is available at four of our regular venues. Service animals are welcome at every session, and a support person may accompany a participant at no charge.

8. Accommodation at sessions

On request we provide large-print handouts, reserved seating near the front, an advance copy of the workbook, a quiet space during breaks, and additional break time. Instructors are trained to describe visual material aloud and to repeat questions asked from the floor.

Sign language interpretation in ASL or LSQ is arranged with four weeks’ notice. Shorter notice is worth asking about — we can sometimes accommodate it.

9. Training

All staff and volunteer instructors complete accessible customer service training before their first session, covering communication, service animals, support persons and assistive devices. Training is refreshed every two years and whenever our practices change.

10. Feedback

If you meet a barrier anywhere in our service, please tell us. Email access@ofor.info, call (613) 555-0184, write to our office, or speak to any instructor at a session. Feedback may be given anonymously.

We acknowledge feedback within two business days and give a substantive response within ten. Feedback about a barrier is recorded, reviewed quarterly by our management team and reported in our annual review.

Questions about this document

Write to Ofor, 220 Laurier Avenue West, Suite 640, Ottawa, Ontario K1P 5Z9, telephone (613) 555-0184, or email info@ofor.info. We answer written enquiries within two business days and formal requests within the timelines set out above.