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Learning Events

SharePoint Accessibility Meetings

Description As a result of receiving many accessibility tickets relating to SharePoint, Microsoft plans to hold regular meetings to discuss SharePoint accessibility issues. These meetings are for the review of SharePoint accessibility issues, sharing experiences, updates, and workarounds. These sessions will benefit everyone working on overcoming the accessibility challenges in SharePoint.

Initially, the meetings will take place on a bi-monthly basis. If there is a high attendance / interest, the meeting frequency will change to monthly.

Below are the two meetings planned:

• Sharepoint Accessibility issues Meeting strictly for the Government of Canada (GoC): We requested a separate meeting for the GoC. We want the GoC to have a safe space to share issues with Microsoft, exchange workarounds, troubleshoot, and for Microsoft to update us on what they are working on. This will provide a safer environment for GoC participants to share screens and demonstrate issues.

• Global SharePoint Accessibility Issues Meeting: This meeting is open to everyone worldwide (individuals, schools, the private sector, foreign governments, etc.). Members of the GoC may attend as observers and ask questions. We recommend GoC members refrain from sharing details on what they are working on and avoid screen sharing of their issues or work.

Those interested in attending may reach us at dcc.accessibility-accessibilite.cnn@ssc-spc.gc.ca to share their contact information and to specify which meetings they wish to attend.

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GC Training

GC Accessibility Training and Events

To help promote upcoming accessibility activities organized by various Government of Canada departments that are open to public service employees, GC Accessibility Training and Events.

Training and Events Dates

1. June 06, 2023 - Document Accessibility Workshop - French (Recording)
2. June 07, 2023 - Document Accessibility Workshop - English (Recording)
3. September 11, 2023 - Document Accessibility Workshop (French)
4. September 12, 2023 - Procuring Accessible Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) (English)
5. September 13, 2023 - Procuring Accessible Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) (French)
6. September 18, 2023 - Document Accessibility Workshop (English)
7. September 19, 2023 - Lending Library Service Pilot - Quick access to short-term accommodations, adaptive technology, services and tools for public service employees with disabilities or injuries (French)
8. September 20, 2023 - Lending Library Service Pilot - Quick access to short-term accommodations, adaptive technology, services and tools for public service employees with disabilities or injuries (English)
9. September 22, 2023 - Overview of accessibility features on smartphones and adaptive technology in the workplace (French)
10. September 26, 2023 - Procuring Accessible Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) – Developing an ICT accessibility procurement strategy (English)
11. September 27, 2023 - Procuring Accessible Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) – Developing an ICT accessibility procurement strategy (French)
12. September 29, 2023 - Overview of accessibility features on smartphones and adaptive technology in the workplace (English)
13. October 04, 2023 - Procuring Accessible Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) – Practical information on understanding Accessibility Conformance Reports and Accessibility Roadmaps (V1.0) (English)
14. October 05, 2023 - Procuring Accessible Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) – Practical information on understanding Accessibility Conformance Reports and Accessibility Roadmaps (V1.0) (French)
15. October 10, 2023 - Essentials for GC managers and human resources professionals: Best practices in accessibility, workplace adjustments and job accommodation (English)
16. October 11, 2023 - Essentials for GC managers and human resources professionals: Best practices in accessibility, workplace adjustments and job accommodation (French)
17. October 17, 2023 - Learning session: Understanding digital accessibility and disability inclusion (English)
18. October 18, 2023 - Learning session: Understanding digital accessibility and disability inclusion (French)

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Document Accessibility Workshop

Description Learn how to apply the basic principles of accessibility to produce accessible content in various formats (ex. Word documents, PDF, PowerPoint). Hosted by AAACT program staff, this workshop will:

• highlight the importance of accessibility
• enable participants to identify document accessibility issues
• demonstrate how participants can perform document accessibility checks and fix content
• include a combination of presentations, demonstrations, exercises and facilitated discussion
• how accessible documents are faster and easier to convert into other formats

Audience: GC Employees and Managers
Hosted by: The Accessibility, Accommodation and Adaptive Computer Technology (AAACT) program at Shared Services Canada

English session

June 07, 2023 from 12:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. EST (Microsoft Live Event)

September 18, 2023 from 12:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. EST (Microsoft Live Event)

French Session

June 06, 2023 from 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. EST (Microsoft Live Event)

September 11, 2023 from 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. EST (Microsoft Live Event)

If you have any questions, please contact the AAACT program.

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Overview of accessibility features on smartphones and adaptive technology in the workplace

Description This learning activity includes three segments: two presentations and a questions and answers session.

The Accessibility, Accommodations and Adaptive Computer Technology (AAACT) team will highlight the accessibility features that are built into Android and iOS devices and that can be used on your Government of Canada-issued smartphone.

The team will also give a brief overview of the types of adaptive technology in use on GC computers and how they assist in removing barriers to accessibility.

Participants will learn about:

• accessibility features on iOS and Android smartphones
• accessibility features built into Windows 10 and Microsoft 365
• other accessibility tools for Windows 10 that are available in the marketplace
• non-IT solutions to removing accessibility barriers, such as furniture, lighting and so on

The AAACT team will answer questions from participants and, upon request, is prepared to demonstrate how most of the adaptive technology works.

Audience: All GC employees
Hosted by: The Accessibility, Accommodation and Adaptive Computer Technology (AAACT) program at Shared Services Canada

English session

September 29, 2023 from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. EST (Microsoft Teams)

By phone: +1 343-803-4324,,224077136#

Phone conference ID: 224 077 136#

French Session

September 22, 2023 from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. EST (Microsoft Teams)

By phone: +1 343-803-4324,,412662599#

Phone conference ID: : 412 662 599#

If you have any questions, please contact the AAACT program.

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Procuring Accessible Information and Communication Technologies (ICT)

Description When buying software, hardware and other kinds of Information and Communication Technologies (ICT), if we don’t ask for accessibility, we won’t get it. What contract language and processes will help us reach the Government of Canada’s goal of being “the most accessible public service in the world”?

This session will give you an overview of the Accessible Canada Act, the Accessibility Strategy for the Public Service of Canada, roles and responsibilities of technical and contracting authorities, and how SSC is supporting the procurement of accessible ICT goods and services.

Through this session, you will also learn about SSC’s approach to accessible ICT procurement. Participants may adapt this approach to suit their own department’s needs.

Additional resources:

We encourage participants to retrieve the SSC Accessible ICT Procurement Guide from the OPSA procurement GCpedia page, as it provides additional details and important supplementary information.

If you have any questions or require accommodation for this session, please contact the AAACT Events team by 25 August, 2023 so we can make arrangements in advance.

Download the PowerPoint presentation before the session here: Accessible ICT Procurement Roadshow French (PPT, 2.77 MB)

Audience: All GC employees
Hosted by: Shared Services Canada

English session

September 12, 2023 from 1 p.m. to 2 p.m. EST (Microsoft Teams)

By phone: +1 343-803-4324,,648445488#

Phone conference ID: 648 445 488#

French Session

September 13, 2023 from 11 a.m. to 12 p.m. EST (Microsoft Teams

By phone: +1 343-803-4324,,6793561#

Phone conference ID: 679 356 1#

If you have any questions, please contact the AAACT program.

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Procuring Accessible Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) – Developing an ICT accessibility procurement strategy

Description This session will help participants understand the elements they must consider when developing an Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) accessibility procurement strategy.

This session will provide guidance on how:

• to determine which elements of your purchase need to have ICT accessibility
• you want the supplier to confirm their accessibility conformance
• you can include accessibility language in your solicitation and resulting contract
• you will evaluate the ICT accessibility requirements the supplier is delivering

During this session, you will also learn about SSC’s approach to developing our ICT accessibility procurement strategy. Participants may adapt this approach to suit their own department’s needs.

Additional resources:

We encourage participants to retrieve the SSC Accessible ICT Procurement Guide from the OPSA procurement GCpedia page, as it provides additional details and important supplementary information.

If you have any questions or require accommodation for this session, please contact the AAACT Events team by September 1, 2023 so we can make arrangements in advance.

Audience: All GC employees
Hosted by: Shared Services Canada

English session

September 26, 2023 from 1 p.m. to 2 p.m. EST (Microsoft Teams)

By phone: +1 343-803-4324,,668770677#

Phone conference ID: 668 770 677#

French Session

September 27, 2023 from 11 a.m. to 12 p.m. EST (Microsoft Teams)

By phone: +1 343-803-4324,,179558568#

Phone conference ID: 179 558 568#

If you have any questions, please contact the AAACT program.

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Procuring Accessible Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) – Practical information on understanding Accessibility Conformance Reports and Accessibility Roadmaps (V1.0)

Description Accessibility Conformance Reports (ACR) and roadmaps play an important role in checking for accessibility when we purchase software, hardware and other kinds of Information and Communication Technologies (ICT). Suppliers typically provide ACRs as part of the procurement or exploration of the ICT solutions that are available in the marketplace. An ACR should provide the information you need to understand the accessibility of the ICT solution. Successful suppliers in a procurement create roadmaps to outline their plan to address known accessibility defects and how they will continue to remain conformant once they have largely fixed the known issues.

This session will:

• explain what Accessibility Conformance Reports (ACR) and roadmaps are used for
• show participants how to read and analyze ACRs and roadmaps
• help participants determine an ICT solution’s level of accessibility conformance
• determine how to validate a solution’s claimed level of conformance
• ensure participants understand what reasonable actions to take to help the Government of Canada reach its goal of being “the most accessible public service in the world”
• outline SSC’s approach to understanding ACRs and roadmaps
• show you how to apply the information from this session in your own department

Additional resources:

We encourage participants to retrieve the SSC Accessible ICT Procurement Guide from the OPSA procurement GCpedia page, as it provides additional details and important supplementary information.

If you have any questions or require accommodation for this session, please contact the AAACT Events team by September 08, 2023 so we can make arrangements in advance.

Audience: Open to all GC employees. However, this session especially benefits Technical Authorities who need to ensure the delivery of accessible solutions.
Hosted by: Shared Services Canada

English session

October 04, 2023 from 1 p.m. to 2 p.m. EST (Microsoft Teams)

By phone: +1 343-803-4324,,10599819#

Phone conference ID: 105 998 19#

French Session

October 05, 2023 from 11 a.m. to 12 p.m. EST (Microsoft Teams)

By phone: +1 343-803-4324,,535307852#

Phone conference ID: 535 307 852#

If you have any questions, please contact the AAACT program.

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Lending Library Service Pilot - Quick access to short-term accommodations, adaptive technology, services and tools for public service employees with disabilities or injuries

Description The Lending Library pilot project is a fast-tracked accommodations process put in place to quickly provide hardware, software, resources and tools to public service employees. The Lending Library aims to address barriers that delay access to specialized services and workplace adjustments needed by:

• Determinate employees with disabilities or injuries allowing them to focus on their job and training, gain valuable work experiences during their terms and deliver services to Canadians (determinate employees are employed on a temporary basis and include students, interns, casual and term employees).
• Determinate and indeterminate employees who remain at work when they are experiencing the short-term or occasional effects of a disability or injury.

The service provides ongoing support by AAACT to employees and their managers. Participants will learn how AAACT’s processes, services and approach is changing the way employees with disabilities or injuries are accommodated, how to access the services and how managers can now access a new pool of talent.

Audience: Everyone
Hosted by: The Accessibility, Accommodation and Adaptive Computer Technology (AAACT) program at Shared Services Canada

English session

September 20, 2023 from 1 p.m. to 2 p.m. EST (Microsoft Teams)

French Session

September 19, 2023 from 11 a.m. to 12 p.m. EST (Microsoft Teams)

If you have any questions, please contact the AAACT program.

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Essentials for GC managers and human resources professionals: Best practices in accessibility, workplace adjustments and job accommodation

Description During this session, the Accessibility, Accommodation and Adaptive Computer Technology program (AAACT) will outline best practices in accessibility, workplace adjustments, job accommodation and related AAACT services.

AAACT offers a wide range of services and tools for public service employees with disabilities or injuries to enable equal participation in the workplace. These services include alternative approaches, training, resources and adaptive hardware and software. Working together works best when addressing the challenges that managers face in supporting their employees with disabilities or injuries. To guide and support GC managers with the complex processes and legal and technical requirements around accessibility, workplace adjustments and job accommodation, AAACT encourages collaboration between:

• Chief Information Officer branches
• Human Resources
• Employment Equity
• Occupational Safety and Health
• Accommodations (facilities)

Download the PowerPoint presentation before the session here: AAACT No Wrong Door English (PPT, 3.06 MB)

Audience: GC managers and human resources professionals
Hosted by: The Accessibility, Accommodation and Adaptive Computer Technology (AAACT) at Shared Services Canada

English session

October 10, 2023 from 1 p.m. to 2 p.m. EST (Microsoft Teams)

By phone: +1 343-803-4324,,715730629#

Phone Conference ID: 715 730 629#

French session

October 11, 2023 from 11 a.m. to 12 p.m. EST (Microsoft Teams)

By phone: +1 343-803-4324,,339245777#

Phone Conference ID: 339 245 777#

If you have any questions, please contact the AAACT program.

Learning session: Understanding digital accessibility and disability inclusion

Description We are all responsible for learning more about creating an accessible and inclusive workplace. Awareness begins with understanding the barriers our colleagues may face at work.

The objective of this learning session is to raise awareness about accessibility-related issues and to help participants to understand why digital content, websites, applications and other forms of Information and Communication Technology products and services must be accessible.

The Accessibility, Accommodation and Adaptive Computer Technology (AAACT) team will demonstrate the various impacts of accessible and inaccessible content and will explain:

• the AAACT Program’s role in the Government of Canada (GC)
• the difference between accessibility and inclusion
• the impact of different barriers for some users and what are some solutions and tools that can address them
• the disadvantages of leaving accessibility to the end of the planning phase; and how we can build it in from the start
• current GC directives, laws and standards for accessible content
• why we need to include accessibility requirements from the start

The AAACT team will answer participants’ questions at the end of the session.

Audience: All GC employees
Hosted by: The Accessibility, Accommodation and Adaptive Computer Technology (AAACT) at Shared Services Canada

English session

October 17, 2023 from 1 p.m. to 2 p.m. EST (Microsoft Teams)

By phone: +1 343-803-4324,,850688546#

Phone Conference ID: 850 688 546#

French session

October 18, 2023 from 11 a.m. to 12 p.m. EST (Microsoft Teams)

By phone: +1 343-803-4324,,799258609#

Phone Conference ID: 799 258 609#

If you have any questions, please contact the AAACT program.

Microsoft Productivity Webinars

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Disclaimer: SSC is providing these links for your convenience. SSC does not control their content. These resources are outside the Government of Canada and may not meet Government of Canada standards.

Microsoft Fundamentals Weeks

Microsoft Certifications provide a professional advantage by providing globally recognized and industry-endorsed evidence of mastering skills in digital and cloud businesses. To help our learners start out on their Microsoft journey, Fast Lane is hosting Microsoft Fundamentals weeks free of charge. Courses include the Azure, AI, Data, 365, Security, Compliance, and Identity Fundamentals.

Free Fundamentals Training Information (Fast Lane)

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