Changes

** '''Consistency matters'''  

** '''Consistency matters'''  

*** consistent design builds  trust and helps users identify scams and other content that is not trust-worthy  

*** consistent design builds  trust and helps users identify scams and other content that is not trust-worthy  

*** predictable, standard navigation strategies support success in finding answers - i.e a global approach to how new content fits into the overall picture ([https://neilpatel.com/blog/create-optimal-user-experiences-improving-websites-information-architecture/|Source])

*** predictable, standard navigation strategies support success in finding answers - i.e a global approach to how new content fits into the overall picture ([https://neilpatel.com/blog/create-optimal-user-experiences-improving-websites-information-architecture/ How To Create Optimal User Experiences By Improving Your Website’s Information Architecture])

** '''Very simple, direct, plain language text''' — people’s reading and comprehension levels drop significantly in times of stress ([https://readable.com/blog/reading-crisis-readability-risk-communication/|Source], [[https://www.researchgate.net/publication/274304506_The_Case_for_Readability_of_Crisis_Communications_in_Social_Media|Source])

** '''Very simple, direct, plain language text''' — people’s reading and comprehension levels drop significantly in times of stress ([https://readable.com/blog/reading-crisis-readability-risk-communication/ Reading in a crisis: readability of risk communication]) ([https://www.researchgate.net/publication/274304506_The_Case_for_Readability_of_Crisis_Communications_in_Social_Media The Case for Readability of Crisis Communications in Social Media])

** '''A basic layout''' that lends itself well to viewing on mobile devices ([https://neilpatel.com/blog/website-clean-simple-design/|Source])

** '''A basic layout''' that lends itself well to viewing on mobile devices ([https://neilpatel.com/blog/website-clean-simple-design/ 17 Reasons Why Your Website Should Have a Clean and Simple Design])

** Respecting '''official languages''' and '''accessibility''' legislation/best practices is still key

** Respecting '''official languages''' and '''accessibility''' legislation/best practices is still key

* Clear, simple, short text is faster to produce, faster to approve, faster to translate, and faster to code properly for accessibility.  

* Clear, simple, short text is faster to produce, faster to approve, faster to translate, and faster to code properly for accessibility.  

== Apps and other technologies ==

== Apps and other technologies ==

* Key COVID-19 web pages are undergoing multiple updates daily.  

* Key COVID-19 web pages are undergoing multiple updates daily.  

* Apps, chatbots or voice assistants, if not developed properly, can highlight poor content and get in the way of a user trying to find the latest info. Take the time to create effective, '''“authoritative source” web content first'''. ([https://blog.canada.ca/2020/01/28/voice-search-optimization.html|Source])

* Apps, chatbots or voice assistants, if not developed properly, can highlight poor content and get in the way of a user trying to find the latest info. Take the time to create effective, '''“authoritative source” web content first'''. ([https://blog.canada.ca/2020/01/28/voice-search-optimization.html Optimize your content for voice search])

* It is imperative that updates to web content are '''immediately''' reflected in any app so that users are not confused or misled by old information.

* It is imperative that updates to web content are '''immediately''' reflected in any app so that users are not confused or misled by old information.

** Graphics and videos take longer to load on computers and devices and are significant digital burdens for older phones and rural connections. They are also a burden on wireless networks, as well as GC networks. Most importantly, they get in the way of the user who wants to complete a task.  

** Graphics and videos take longer to load on computers and devices and are significant digital burdens for older phones and rural connections. They are also a burden on wireless networks, as well as GC networks. Most importantly, they get in the way of the user who wants to complete a task.  

*** “A 4MB webpage is like a private hospital that is designed for the rich. The technology poor (most people) are suffering because of the choices of the technology rich. People are using old phones on expensive plans to try and access vital info. Fast-loading pages save lives.” — Gerry McGovern, usability and service expert

*** “A 4MB webpage is like a private hospital that is designed for the rich. The technology poor (most people) are suffering because of the choices of the technology rich. People are using old phones on expensive plans to try and access vital info. Fast-loading pages save lives.” — Gerry McGovern, usability and service expert

* Graphics and video do '''belong on social media''' where we know visual cues garner more attention and engagement. Do remember to:

* Graphics and video do '''belong on social media''' where we know visual cues garner more attention and engagement. Do remember to:

** Include alternate text (Alt text) in all photos and graphics that are shared on Twitter

** Include alternate text (Alt text) in all photos and graphics that are shared on Twitter