Access to Technology

September 13, 2010

Hon. R. Nicholson
Minister of Justice
House of Commons
Ottawa, ON
K1A 0A6
nichor@parl.gc.ca

Dear Minister:

On 21- 23 September 2010 Donna Jodham is undertaking a Charter challenge against the Government of Canada in Federal Court, because the Government's web sites do not include the features needed by users for whom print is a barrier. Due to a lack of necessary access features in certain Government of Canada web sites, users handicapped by print are denied access to a vitally important source of information that many Canadians take for granted and depend upon in order to lead safe and productive lives in this country.

The Council of Canadians with Disabilities (CCD), a national human rights organization working in support of an accessible and inclusive Canada, is very disappointed and frustrated by the Government of Canada's decision to go to court in an attempt to avoid its responsibility to make Federal Government web sites accessible to users for whom print is a barrier. It is our position that the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms and the Canadian Human Rights Act require the Government of Canada to deliver accessible web information that is inclusive of the needs of those persons for whom print is a barrier.

From the CCD's perspective, it is a waste of scarce resources for the Government of Canada to pursue this case in Federal Court. These resources would be more effectively employed in undertaking the work which would make Canada a world leader in the delivery of accessible information via government internet portals. CCD urges the Government of Canada to immediately undertake the work necessary to make Federal Government web sites accessible to blind and partially-sighted users.

Sincerely,

Tony Dolan
Chairperson