Accessibility Insights, Available Funds, & EDCO Highlights

Announcing Our Webinar Series on Website Accessibility for Municipalities?

We're thrilled to announce the launch of our upcoming webinar series where the focus will be on enhancing website accessibility. Digital inclusion is of the ultimate importance. Ensuring that your online platforms are accessible to everyone is not just a legal requirement but a moral imperative.?

Part 1: Understanding Accessibility and Its Significance?

Date: March 25, 2024?

The first in the series will delve into the fundamental concepts of website accessibility and why it's crucial for municipalities to prioritize this aspect of their online presence. We'll explore the legal frameworks, such as the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG), that govern website accessibility standards. Moreover, we'll discuss how embracing accessibility fosters inclusivity, enhances user experience, and promotes community engagement.?

Part 2: Navigating the Web: Insights into User Experience for Individuals with Disabilities?

Date: To be Announced?

Part two will shed light on how individuals with disabilities interact with the web. From screen readers to keyboard navigation, we'll explore the diverse range of assistive technologies used by people with disabilities to access digital content. Understanding these user experiences is pivotal in crafting websites that cater to the needs of all citizens, irrespective of their abilities.?

Part 3: Crafting Accessible Content: Strategies and Best Practices?

Date: To be Announced?

In our final webinar, we'll provide practical guidance on creating accessible content for municipal websites. From structuring web pages for screen reader compatibility to optimizing multimedia elements for accessibility, we'll equip you with the knowledge and tools needed to ensure that your online content is accessible to everyone in your community.?

Join us as we embark on this journey towards digital inclusivity and empowerment. By embracing accessibility, municipalities not only comply with legal requirements but also foster a sense of belonging and participation among all citizens. Plus, by building accessible websites from the ground up, municipalities can save costs associated with retroactive accessibility fixes that cater to diverse needs, including people with visual, auditory, cognitive, and mobility impairments that ensures all residents have equal access to crucial government information and services?

Mark your calendars for the first webinar on March 25, 2024, and stay tuned for announcements regarding the dates for the subsequent sessions. Let's work together to create a more inclusive online environment for all members of our community.?

Register here: https://bit.ly/3FZy7Td

Provincial Funding Available to Enhance Digital Service Delivery?

We recently launched a campaign to remind our municipal clients in Ontario about the availability of provincial funding to help improve efficiency across their operations?

If you haven’t yet taken advantage of this opportunity, you can get more information here .?

This is a one-time investment provided by the Ontario government and is specifically tailored for small and rural municipalities. This funding is intended to address the unique challenges faced by smaller communities, empowering them to enhance service delivery, reduce ongoing costs and improve service quality.?

Technology plays a huge role when it comes to optimizing service delivery and quality. At GHD Digital, we understand its impact to streamline processes and enhance communication between municipalities and residents. Our Govstack digital platform offers some key benefits to help you increase efficiency and better serve your community:??

• User-Friendly Interface: Our websites are designed with the end user in mind, ensuring a seamless and intuitive experience for residents accessing municipal services online.?
• Accessibility Compliance: We prioritize accessibility standards to ensure that all residents, regardless of ability, can access and utilize municipal services effectively.?
• Integrated Services: Govstack allows for the integration of various municipal services and functionalities into a single platform, making it easier for residents to find and access the services they need.?
• Data Security: We understand the importance of data security when it comes to handling sensitive municipal information. Our platform adheres to the highest security standards to safeguard resident data.?
• Scalability and Flexibility: Whether your municipality is small or large, Govstack offers scalability and flexibility to accommodate your needs and grow alongside your community.?

If you’re ready to leverage this funding to advance your digital transformation goals, please contact us to get started.??

Stories from EDCO??

We had the pleasure of returning to the Economic Developers Council of Ontario Annual Conference 2024 in Toronto, Ontario. Where we reunited with many existing clients and formed new connections with economic developers that will carry us into the future. We also had the opportunity to gain a few key insights into the hurdles many are currently facing. Click here for highlights of our recent trip to EDCO 2024.

Helpful Resources

Visit our Resources page to get updated information on Govstack as well as news and information on technology relevant to municipal government. If you haven’t already, please subscribe to this newsletter, and don’t forget to follow us on social media.?