Introduction

On this page

• Overview
• Other language-related guidance
• Disclaimers

Overview

The Accessible Canada Act (ACA) and the Accessible Canada Regulations (regulations) require federally regulated entities (organizations) to prepare and publish:

• accessibility plans
• progress reports on the implementation of their accessibility plans
• descriptions of their feedback processes

The regulations also require organizations to write these documents in simple, clear and concise language. This guidance provides resources to help them do so. These resources may also inspire organizations to use simple, clear and concise language in other communications and documents, when feasible.

In line with the principles set out in the ACA, this guidance reflects input from the disability community.

This guidance is not legally binding. The non-binding advice, recommendations, tips and best practices in this guidance use the words “recommend,” “suggest,” “should,” “may,” and “could.” When referring to legally binding requirements in the ACA and the regulations, the guidance uses the words “must” and “require.”

This guidance is a toolbox, not a set of hard-and-fast rules to follow at any cost. Your focus should be on flexible application, depending on your organization’s context and the specific needs of your audience. Strategies that help simplify a text change according to the situation.

Language is a flexible tool, and offers many options and solutions for you to explore!

You can also read our guidance on:

• accessibility plans
• consulting persons with disabilities
• feedback process descriptions
• alternate formats
• progress reports

Note that all federally regulated organizations must follow the Accessible Canada Regulations. Some organizations must also follow other ACA regulations made by the Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission (CRTC) or the Canadian Transportation Agency (CTA).

Other language-related guidance

Using accessible language is not limited to writing in a simple, clear and concise way. There are language considerations to keep in mind when you talk about disability and accessibility. In addition, recognizing that multiple identity factors can intersect or overlap with disability is important. People’s backgrounds, religions, socio-economic status, languages and genders are examples of identity factors to take into consideration.

You can find more tips and ideas in our annexes on cultural considerations and inclusive language.

Disclaimers

This guidance does not replace any guidance developed by the Accessibility Commissioner’s Office at the Canadian Human Rights Commission (CHRC).

The sole purpose of the examples in this guidance is to show possibilities for making text simple, clear and concise. Nothing in these examples constitutes a requirement or recommendation relating to the content of accessibility plans, progress reports or descriptions of feedback processes.

This guidance includes links to Government of Canada and external resources that provide useful tips and information about simple, clear and concise language. By providing links, Employment and Social Development Canada (ESDC) is pointing to possibly helpful information, but not endorsing it.

Please note that external websites are not subject to the Privacy Act or the Official Languages Act. The information may be available only in the language(s) of the sites in question. They also may not be fully accessible to persons with disabilities.