27
August
2020
|
15:02 PM
Europe/Amsterdam

AODA Website Compliance: PDFs

Summary

Mohawk is committed to creating an accessible website that will reduce barriers for all users and meet the standards set out in the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA). Learn more about the plan to review and recommend the most accessible format for documents and content posted on mohawkcollege.ca. 

Mohawk College is committed to the principles of the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA) and providing an inclusive environment that is accessible and welcoming for all students, employees and visitors.  

AODA law is made up of five standards: 

  1. Customer service standard 
  2. Information and communications standard 
  3. Transportation standard 
  4. Employment standard 
  5. Design of public spaces standard 

The Information and communications standard outlines how to make information, including websites and web content, accessible to people with disabilities. As of January 2021, all website content and documents on mohawkcollege.ca must adhere to Web Content Accessible Guidelines (WCAG) 2.0 Level AA.  

Many PDF documents posted on mohawkcollege.ca do not meet accessibility standards and will need to be addressed. Departments will be contacted by Marketing with a list of inaccessible PDFs their area/department is responsible for. One of the following recommendations will be made for each PDF file:  

  1. Remove the PDF if the content is outdated 
  2. Convert the PDF content to HTML if the information is still required 
  3. “Remediate” the PDF to make it accessible if the information is still required and PDF format is required for one of the following reasons: 
  • Includes a fillable PDF form to collect data 

  • Intended to be printed 

  • Document is large, complex or long  

  • Content is mandated to be published on our website and requires a level of protection 

  • Other, to be determined on an individual basis 

Employees who have been trained to produce accessible documents can work with Marketing to remediate PDFs belonging to their area/department. Remediation may also be provided by an external vendor; Marketing will recommend and coordinate this work.  

Learn more about accessibility:  

 Questions?  

Katherine McCurdy-Lapierre, Director, Marketing and Creative Services, at katherine.mccurdy@mohawkcollege.ca  

Leanne Draksler, Manager, Office of the Vice President, Student & Alumni Engagement, at leanne.draksler@mohawkcollege.ca 

 Thank you in advance for your support.