Accessibility Statement

Ontario Citizen is committed to ensuring digital accessibility for all individuals, including those with disabilities. We strive to provide a website that is usable and understandable by everyone, adhering to established accessibility guidelines and best practices.

Our reporting and editorial content are designed to reach the widest possible audience across Ontario. We view accessibility as a foundational aspect of public information dissemination.

Accessibility Standards

We continuously work to improve the accessibility of ontariocitizen.ca. Our goal is to conform to the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) 2.2 Level AA. These guidelines, developed by the World Wide Web Consortium (W3C), explain how to make web content more accessible for people with disabilities and are globally recognized standards.

Achieving and maintaining WCAG 2.2 Level AA compliance is an ongoing process. Our team regularly reviews our website structure and content.

Measures Taken to Support Accessibility

Ontario Citizen implements various measures to enhance website accessibility. These steps are integrated into our development and content creation workflows.

• Semantic HTML: Our website code uses semantic HTML5 elements to structure content. This helps assistive technologies interpret page layout and content hierarchy accurately.
• Alternative Text for Images: All meaningful images on ontariocitizen.ca include descriptive alternative text (alt text). This allows screen readers to convey visual information to users who are unable to see the images. Decorative images are appropriately marked to be ignored by assistive technologies.
• Keyboard Navigation: The entire website can be navigated and operated using only a keyboard. Focus indicators are clearly visible to assist users in understanding their current position on the page.
• Color Contrast: We maintain sufficient color contrast between text and background elements throughout the site. This ensures readability for individuals with various visual impairments.
• Resizable Text: Users can adjust text size through browser settings without loss of content or functionality. Our layout adjusts fluidly to accommodate larger text.
• Screen Reader Compatibility: Our editorial team and developers conduct regular testing with popular screen readers to identify and resolve potential barriers. This includes ensuring proper headings, links, and form elements are correctly identified.
• Clear Language: Our editorial style prioritizes clear, concise language to improve readability and comprehension for all users. Jargon is minimized, and complex concepts are explained clearly.
• Consistent Navigation: The website features consistent and predictable navigation patterns. This helps users understand where they are on the site and how to move between pages.

Ongoing Review and Limitations

The digital environment is constantly evolving. Ontario Citizen performs scheduled accessibility reviews on a quarterly basis. Our development team also addresses accessibility considerations during all new feature implementations.

While we strive for complete accessibility, there may be instances where some older archival content or specific third-party integrations do not yet fully meet the stringent WCAG 2.2 Level AA requirements. We are actively working to remediate these areas where feasible.

Content generated by third parties, such as embedded social media feeds or advertising elements, may present accessibility challenges beyond our direct control. We encourage our partners to also adhere to accessibility standards.

Reporting Accessibility Concerns

Your feedback is crucial to our continuous improvement efforts. If you encounter any accessibility barriers or have suggestions on how we can improve the accessibility of ontariocitizen.ca, please contact us.

Please describe the specific issue you encountered and the page URL where it occurred. We will review your feedback promptly and work to address the concerns.

You can reach our legal and accessibility team by email at legal@ontariocitizen.ca. Please title your email "Accessibility Feedback" to ensure it is routed correctly.

The Ontario Citizen is committed to providing an accessible online experience for all readers. We appreciate your patience and assistance as we continue to refine our platform.

About This Publication

This publication is owned and operated by APG, an independent digital media company.