Accessibility, Accommodation and Adaptive Computer Technology (AAACT)
The Government of Canada (GC) envisions a public service that is a world leader in barrier-free, inclusive workplaces and services. The Accessibility, Accommodation and Adaptive Computer Technology (AAACT) program makes this vision a reality by:
- supporting departments that offer programs and services to Canadians
- building accessible workplaces with equal opportunities for all employees
AAACT’s services and solutions help the public service to serve all Canadians, including those with disabilities. It promotes inclusive design and digital accessibility by helping organizations build accessibility into products, services and content from the start. It also offers a variety of training sessions to empower everyone with the knowledge and tools to help integrate accessibility into their digital projects.
For public servants with disabilities, AAACT offers personalized support through informal consultations, tailored job accommodation recommendations and adaptive solutions, such as customized hardware and software. Its services are for both short-term and long-term employees. AAACT provides support and ongoing collaboration to ensure seamless integration of adaptive technologies as quickly as possible.
Video: How AAACT supports accessible workplaces
Learn how the AAACT program helps remove barriers across the public service. In this video, Nadine Charron, Senior Director of AAACT, explains how the program supports employees, managers and their organizations by providing them with the right tools, technologies, support measures and expertise to build inclusive workplaces.
Transcript
[00:00:00 Montage of a series of images from the AAACT space.]
[00:00:10 Text on screen: About the Accessibility, Accommodation and Adaptive Computer Technology (AAACT) Program]
Nadine Charron: Hi, my name is Nadine Charron.
[00:00:18 Text on screen: Nadine Charron, Executive Director, AAACT, Shared Services Canada]
Nadine Charron: I am the Executive Director for the AAACT team — or AAACT — or Accessibility, Accommodation, and Adaptive Computer Technology Program here at Shared Services Canada.
So AAACT is a program here at SSC that really helps persons with disabilities remove the obstacles from the work that they're doing by providing the right solutions. It was born in 1991, 34 years ago, at Environment Canada.
[00:00:44 Text on screen: Who can access AAACT’s services?]
Nadine Charron: All Government employees can access our consultation services and the lending library, which is the equipment that we loan. While we look for a permanent solution, it is the department’s responsibility to pay for the equipment once that permanent solution is found.
[00:00:59 Text on screen: What kinds of tools and adaptive technologies does AAACT provide to employees?]
Nadine Charron: We have over 3,000 items in our lending library, and we're going to focus on a few today. We have split ergonomic keyboards, which allow persons to really split the keyboards, tent the keyboard and really work with it the way that they need to. We have different pointing devices when it comes to mice and joysticks and that adaptive equipment. We have monitors, every type of monitor, every size. We have 2K, 4K, curved. We also have E-Ink monitors, which are really important. And now we even have E-Ink colour monitors, which are really cool. We have headsets. So, in-ear, out-of-ear, noise cancelling, not noise cancelling. So, a variety, even bone-conduction headsets for persons to be able to use that. We also have a variety of software, including voice recognition software and screen readers. We try every single one of them on the market, to make sure we find the right solution for employees.
[00:02:08 Text on screen: How does AAACT contribute to building a more inclusive culture in the public service?]
Nadine Charron: One of them is through our awareness and training that we do on a regular basis. One of the other things that we do is individual workplace adjustments. So, employees that are facing obstacles will come see us. And we'll be able to help them out and provide a solution. We also do a lot of procurement advice. So how do vendors really give us something from the get-go that is accessible? Because that's what we want here. It's accessible by default. It's really important. The other thing that we do is we do a lot of testing. And we also do special projects when it comes to ICT, which is Information, communication and technology products, so that our expertise goes out to all employees so that we can remove the obstacles for every public servant. That's really our goal.
[00:03:03 Text on screen: If someone watching this wants to learn more or access support, how can they get started?]
Nadine Charron: So, in order to access our services and provide support, you can send us an email at our generic email address.
[00:03:13 Text on screen: aaact-aatia@ssc-spc.gc.ca]
Nadine Charron: And all of the information comes through and is treated individually and shared with the right person on the team. The other way to access us is to really visit us.
[00:03:23 Montage of a series of images from the AAACT building and space. Text on screen: 219 Laurier Avenue West, Ottawa, ON; Contact us to book an in-person visit; aaact-aatia@ssc-spc.gc.ca]
Nadine Charron: If you're in the National Capital Region, we're located at 219 Laurier Avenue West, so you can visit what an accessible workspace actually looks like. So, I hope you come visit.
[00:03:35 Shared Services Canada’s logo appears on screen. Text on screen: Learn more about AAACT: canada.ca/aaact. The Government of Canada signature appears on screen]
Nadine Charron: You can visit our website at any time. And we strive for inclusion within the public service.
[00:03:42 The Government of Canada logo appears on screen.]
Who should contact AAACT?
Reach out if you are:
- an employee with a disability who needs adaptive tools or services, advice on best practices, or resources to access workplace technology
- a manager addressing workplace barriers for an employee with a disability, seeking advice on best practices, or looking for resources to access workplace technology
- a human resources professional supporting programs with hiring processes—AAACT will help you tap into the underrepresented talents of people with disabilities
- an IT professional who needs to learn how to support adaptive computer technology—AAACT can help you integrate the adaptive computer technology tools into the users’ technical environment and troubleshoot issues
- a business owner/technical authority or a procurement professional who needs to identify if accessibility is addressed in procurements
- a government organization looking to support its employees through training, workshops, skills development, mentoring or sessions on topics such as creating accessible digital content and documents
Learn more
To learn more about AAACT’s services for employees, management and digital accessibility, please visit How can AAACT help you?.