Accessibility, Accommodations and Adaptive Computer Technology Program.

The Accessibility, Accommodations and Adaptive Computer Technology (AAACT) Program's mandate is to assist in the integration into the workplace of employees with disabilities, injuries and ergonomic requirements who require access to systems, programs, information, computers and computer resources.

Accessibility means that people with and without disabilities can perceive, understand, navigate, and interact with information, services and applications. The adoption of accessibility standards, guidelines and best practices ensure that systemic barriers are eliminated prior to individual accommodations. Accommodations are the necessary measures taken to allow an employee to work to the best of their ability. Adaptive computer technology enables a person who has a sensory, mobility, dexterity, learning disability, injury or ergonomic requirement to use a computer by reducing or simply eliminating the barriers presented by standard computer interfaces.

The AAACT Program currently provides to Shared Services Canada and Other Government Departments a wide range of services on a cost-recovery basis for persons with disabilities, injuries, ergonomic requirements, technicians, webmasters, application developers, project managers and end-users. The AAACT program also provides support to other Adaptive Computer Technology (ACT) Centres and accessibility and accommodations related initiatives.

Since 1991, The AAACT Program has been a driving force in the fields of accessibility, accommodations and adaptive computer technology. AAACT has received international recognition for the unique services provided to persons with disabilities, injuries and ergonomic requirements.

AAACT Program Components

ACT Centre - InfoSessions

Photo of AAACT delivering an InfoSession Lowvision Infosession with Jean-Marc

  • Informal starting point for Employees, Management and Management Supports to present inquiries on accessibility, job accommodation and adaptive computer technology.
  • Through the use of a “no wrong door” approach, InfoSessions provide a way to explore available options.
  • InfoSessions allow users to explore technology and technology related topics prior to an assessment or evaluation.

ACT Centre - Client Services

Photo of Client Services

  • Employee and/or Job Assessment
  • Needs assessment including workflow requirements, trials and training to identify the appropriate match between the employee and the hardware or software adaptation(s) job function and disability
  • Assessment of the compatibility of the technology hardware and software
  • Solution development
  • Professional Services
  • Integration of the ACT tools within the users technical environment
  • ACT support and technical services for End Users
  • ACTsupport and technical services for ACT Technicians
  • Research and testing
  • Services for document conversion into multiple formats (DAISY, Braille, audio, etc…)

ACT Lab - Accessibility Testing

Photo of ACT Lab

  • Product evaluations
  • Application accessibility evaluations
  • Website and Web content accessibility evaluations
  • Professional Services

ACT Training Centre - Training Courses

Photo of ACT Class

  • Training services
  • Hands on training program for Technicians on supporting Adaptive Computer Technology
  • Accessibility Boot Camp for Webmasters and Application Developers
  • Customized accessible training courses for persons with disabilities, injuries and ergonomic requirements
  • Customized training sessions for a wide variety of audiences on related topics
  • Awareness training and equipment demonstration
  • Info Sessions

Select any of the following links to obtain further information on the AAACT Program:

  • Background - Provides information on the creation, mandate, and objective of the AAACT Program.
  • Modifications for Disabilities - Provides information on different types of disabilities along with some adaptive computer tools to assist employees with disabilities in their jobs.
  • Awareness Sessions - Provides information on the barriers to employment through AAACT seminars, workshops, and panel discussions.
  • Web Accessibility BootCamp - Provides information on the two day hands on course for programmers and web developers, and how to register.
  • AAACT Tech Training Program - Provides information on the on-line introduction to adaptive computer technology, the hands-on adaptive technology course, and how to register.

Accessibility, Accommodations and Adaptive Computer Program Service Contact Information:

Web: http://www.ec.gc.ca/aatia-aaact

E-Mail: AAACT@ec.gc.ca

Telephone: (819) 994-4835

TDD-TTY: (819) 994-3692