Employers must develop feedback process, implement policies and practices to enhance accessibility and provide training to staff
As of May 1, Manitoba public sector organizations will have to comply with the accessible information and communication standard regulation.
The standard improves accessibility by:
- building on existing requirements of the Human Rights Code
- requiring websites and web content to follow globally recognized Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) 2.1 standards to a minimum level AA
- requiring organizations to provide information in an accessible format or through a communication support if requested
- requiring organizations to develop a feedback process, implement policies and practices to enhance accessibility and provide training to relevant staff
- setting specific requirements for supporting the purchase of accessible library resources within public libraries and supporting accessible material for students at educational institutions.
“So much of our world revolves around access to information and Manitobans should not face barriers when accessing digitally, in print or through interactions with technology or people,” says Nahanni Fontaine, families minister and minister responsible for accessibility.
“The accessible information and communication standard removes barriers and ensures we all strive to identify, reduce and remove barriers for everyone, including the one-in-three Manitobans with a disability.”
The provincial government is requiring public sector organizations in the province to comply with the accessible information and communication standard regulation under the Accessibility for Manitobans Act (AMA).
An online training module on the requirements of the standard is available on the Manitoba Accessibility Office’s AMA learning portal, says Fontaine. The training includes examples of how to comply, tips for best practices and other useful resources.
In September 2022, hundreds of organizations in British Columbia were required to meet new rules when it came to accessibility. This followed the passage of the Accessible British Columbia Act, intended to make the province more inclusive for people with disabilities by identifying, removing and preventing barriers to accessibility.
