Re: Policies update - Canada [was: Updating Policies -- initial thoughts]

Hi Shawn,

Got it, don't worry. I don't intend to tweet about the document we're working on, but rather about the policies themselves. It will not be linked to what we're doing.

I am also in contact with Catherine Roy, maybe she'll help out too. Thanks for the content you sent, I'll look that up and use it as a base for my research.

/Denis




On 2011-08-02, at 10:09 PM, Shawn Henry wrote:

> On 8/1/2011 10:33 PM, Denis Boudreau wrote:
>> Quick comment as I'm short on time right now.
>> 
>> I can take the lead for Canada and check a few things out. First, for Canada and Quebec, go through the info Catherine Roy had provided and update/complete/change the information around to reflect the actual state of things.
>> 
>> Then, see if I can get a11y peeps form other provinces who might have stuff to add for these provinces (people like Adam Spencer - Ontario - and Glenda Watson Hyatt - British Columbia - immediately come to mind).
>> 
>> Then work with Twitter to complete for the rest of the provinces.
> 
> Hi Denis,
> 
> Thanks for offer to help! For now, please don't tweet. Let's get things settled first. We might even put out a draft of several updates before we announce any in progress.
> 
> Below is what I have from Catherine, which is quite old.
> 
> Please see http://www.w3.org/WAI/Policy/updates.html for format.
> 
> Ask if you have any questions, and please do share any suggestions!
> 
> ~Shawn
> 
> ---------
> 
> Hi Shawn,
> 
> I thought you might like the latest news concerning policies in Canada for
> when you get the time (and I know how scarce a resource that is) to update
> the WAI policy page.
> 
> In December 2004, the Québec government modified its disability
> legislation[1] (available in French only) and adopted two new articles.
> Although they do not mention Web accessibility specifically, they are
> written broadly enough to allow interpretation in our favour.
> 
> Article 26.5 stipulates that all ministries and public agencies must adopt
> measures, in the spirit of reasonable accommodation, related to the
> accessibility of all public (as in governmental) information and services,
> whatever their form.
> 
> Article 61.3 stipulates that ministries, public agencies and
> municipalities must take the needs of persons with disabilities into
> account in their procurement process of goods and services.
> 
> For us in Québec, despite Web accessibility and technologies not being
> specifically mentioned in the new legislation, this is a very positive
> development and we are working to promote the broadest interpretation
> possible. For example, the provincial government, when it updated its main
> portal in early 2005, took accessibility into account and hired external
> consultants to evaluate the work that had been done. There is still a lot
> to do of course, but it is a step in the right direction.
> 
> Also, Ontario updated its disabilty legislation[2] this past summer :
> 
> Article 1 stipulates :
> 
> 1. Recognizing the history of discrimination against persons with
> disabilities in Ontario, the purpose of this Act is to benefit all
> Ontarians by,
> (a) developing, implementing and enforcing accessibility standards in
> order to achieve accessibility for Ontarians with disabilities with
> respect to goods, services, facilities, accommodation, employment,
> buildings, structures and premises on or before January 1, 2025; and
> (b) providing for the involvement of persons with disabilities, of the
> Government of Ontario and of representatives of industries and of various
> sectors of the economy in the development of the accessibility standards.
> 2005, c. 11, s. 1.
> 
> Article 4 stipulates :
> 
> This Act applies to every person or organization in the public and private
> sectors of the Province of Ontario, including the Legislative Assembly of
> Ontario.  2005, c. 11, s. 4.
> 
> Ontario already had obligations in the previous law for accessibility of
> government Web sites and procurement.  This would now apply to the private
> sector as well, which is good news, though it will take time to develop
> the standards and implement them.  I imagine John Foliot could give you
> more info if needed as he presented a brief during public hearings on this
> bill.
> 
> Anyway, hope this is useful.
> 
> Best regards,
> 
> 
> Catherine
> --
> 
> [1]
> <http://www2.publicationsduquebec.gouv.qc.ca/dynamicSearch/telecharge.php?type=2&file=/E_20_1/E20_1.html>
> [2]
> <http://www.e-laws.gov.on.ca/DBLaws/Statutes/English/05a11_e.htm>
> 
> 
> -- Catherine Roy, consultante www.catherine-roy.net 514.525.9490 .
> 
>

Received on Wednesday, 3 August 2011 05:40:33 UTC