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BC’s draft accessible employment standards: What they’ll mean for employers
In 2024, the BC Government released the first two draft accessibility standards for the province. The proposed accessible service delivery and employment standards were available for public comment from May 31 to July 31, 2024. The team at Untapped Accessibility did a deep dive into the draft standards to ask… Read More about “BC’s draft accessible employment standards: What they’ll mean for employers”
Canada’s digital accessibility plan: what you need to know
The Accessible Canada Act is a law passed in 2019 that hopes to remove barriers for people with disabilities by 2040.
The federal government is changing the accessibility rules for digital accessibility.
How employers can support people with disabilities to thrive throughout their careers
Introduction I’m a social worker with 17 years of experience in non-profits, post-secondary institutions, and healthcare. As someone with severe-to-profound hearing loss and dwarfism, I’ve navigated workplaces as both an employee and an advocate for accessibility. While progress has been made, systemic barriers remain. The Accessible Canada Act lays the… Read More about “How employers can support people with disabilities to thrive throughout their careers”
Strategies for engaging the disability community
“Nothing about us, without us” is a principle that underscores the importance of including disabled people in shaping initiatives that impact their lives directly. When we are involved from the start, outcomes are more inclusive, equitable, and ultimately more successful. This blog explores strategies for engaging the disability community, rooted… Read More about “Strategies for engaging the disability community”
How to bring accessibility policy to life: moving beyond compliance
In my personal experience as the Accessibility Officer of an Ontario university, I saw firsthand that a compliance mindset doesn’t result in a more accessible organization. To create a more accessible organization requires dedicated accessibility leadership, broad employee involvement, and a focus on changing culture. In this blog post, I’m… Read More about “How to bring accessibility policy to life: moving beyond compliance”
Webinar summary: How to provide accessible client services – a framework for BC organizations
Final versions of BC’s accessible employment and accessible service delivery standards are expected in 2025. The BC Government and the Provincial Accessibility Committee are reviewing public feedback from last year’s public consultations. On February 6, 2024, Untapped Accessibility hosted a webinar to help clients prepare for the release of the… Read More about “Webinar summary: How to provide accessible client services – a framework for BC organizations”
5 strategies for writing in plain language
Writing in plain language is a skill. Like any skill, it takes learning, practice, and dedication. In Untapped Accessibility’s Plain Language for Teams workshop, we introduce you to the following strategies: Write for your audience To write in plain language, you must understand your audience and their communication needs…. Read More about “5 strategies for writing in plain language”
The importance of accessibility in eLearning: Insights from the Food Banks Canada eLearning project
“The disability community is the only minority that we will all join at some point in our life.”- Tina Friml, Comedian1 I’m often asked why I focus my professional practice around accessibility in general and accessible learning design specifically. The question is usually some polite or variation of “why”? Some… Read More about “The importance of accessibility in eLearning: Insights from the Food Banks Canada eLearning project”
How psychological safety empowers neurodivergent inclusion in the workplace
As an accessibility consultant specializing in neuroinclusive workplaces, I help managers, recruiters, coworkers, and employees build skills to treat each other with kindness and curiosity. I aim to create workplaces that value people’s unique needs, skills, and strengths. Clear communication, expectations, and flexibility help everyone succeed—and these efforts bring huge… Read More about “How psychological safety empowers neurodivergent inclusion in the workplace”
2024 International Day of Persons with Disabilities: Encouraging employees with disabilities to occupy leadership roles
December 3 is International Day of Persons with Disabilities. The observance of this significant day was proclaimed in 1992 by the United Nations General Assembly resolution 47/3. International Day of Persons with Disabilities strives to: The International Day of Persons with Disabilities theme for this year focuses on increasing the… Read More about “2024 International Day of Persons with Disabilities: Encouraging employees with disabilities to occupy leadership roles”