December 7, 2010

New accessiblity software live on lt.gov.on.ca

eSSENTIAL Accessibility available at no charge

As part of the International Day of Persons with Disabilities, the Honourable David C. Onley,   Lieutenant Governor  of Ontario, is pleased to announce the installation of a new accessibility application on the   Lieutenant Governor's website.

Entitled 'eSSENTIAL Accessibility', the application makes online environments instantly accessible to individuals with physical limitations. Anyone with a physical disability can easily access any website that carries the 'eSSENTIAL Accessibility' icon - a blue wheelchair and keyboard symbol.

"During the demonstration of this technology, I was immediately taken by the endless possibilities it offered for a wide range of individuals with physical disabilities, dexterity limitations or others who might be challenged by low literacy, limited knowledge of the English language or even visual impairment," said the Honourable David C. Onley.

Any user of the service can click on the icon and download the assistive technology they require free of charge. 

His Honour and the Right Honourable David Johnston, Governor General of   Canada, marked this International Day of Persons with Disabilities when they visited the Holland  Bloorview Kids Rehabilitation Hospital this morning. They spoke with patients, caregivers and researchers, and viewed the innovative work of the hospital's research institute and integrated educational classrooms.