Accessibility is not optional—it is a fundamental right.
Every individual deserves equal access to information. When a person cannot access a document due to a disability, access is denied—and so is inclusion.

Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA) positions Ontario as a global leader in accessibility, with clear standards, reporting requirements, and a commitment to building a fully accessible province. Organizations are expected not only to comply—but to ensure meaningful access for all.

Barriers to accessibility—whether visual, auditory, or cognitive—can prevent individuals from fully participating in everyday activities such as accessing services, engaging with content, or making informed decisions.

At Multi-Languages, we help organizations move beyond compliance to true accessibility—ensuring your communication is inclusive, clear, and usable for everyone.

Our Accessibility Services include:

• Braille transcription
• Voice-over and audio adaptation
• Large print design
• American Sign Language (ASL) interpretation
• Specialized multilingual desktop publishing (DTP)

What You Need to Know About Accessibility

Accessibility begins with understanding. Organizations have a responsibility to ensure that information is not only available—but accessible, usable, and inclusive for all individuals.

For official guidance on creating accessible content, refer to:
Government of Ontario – Making Information Accessible

What Are Alternate Formats?

Alternate formats are different ways of presenting information so it can be accessed by individuals with disabilities. The appropriate format depends on the user’s needs and may include:

• Braille
• Audio / voice-over
• Large print
• Accessible PDFs and digital documents
• Captioning and sign language interpretation

Providing alternate formats ensures that information can be understood and used by everyone—regardless of ability.

Types of Barriers to Accessibility

Barriers are obstacles that prevent people from fully accessing information, services, or environments. Understanding these barriers is the first step to removing them.

• Attitudinal barriers – Misconceptions, biases, or assumptions about people with disabilities
• Information and communication barriers – Content that is not presented in accessible formats
• Organizational barriers – Policies, practices, or procedures that limit accessibility
• Architectural and physical barriers – Physical structures or environments that restrict access

Source: Ontario Ministry of Economic Development, Employment and Infrastructure

Examples of Accessible and Alternate Formats

Providing information in accessible formats ensures that individuals of all abilities can receive, understand, and engage with your content. The appropriate format depends on the user’s needs and the context in which the information is delivered.

Common accessible and alternate formats include:

• Large Print Design
  Supports individuals with low vision. Materials are typically produced in a font size of 16–20 points or larger, with enhanced readability and contrast.
• Braille
  A tactile reading system used by individuals who are blind or deafblind, allowing full access to written content.
• Audio Format / Voice-Over
  Converts written content into spoken word, supporting individuals with visual, learning, intellectual, or developmental disabilities.
• Text Transcripts (Audio and Visual Content)
  Written versions of audio or video content, ensuring accessibility for individuals who are deaf, hard of hearing, or prefer reading.
• Captioning
  On-screen text that conveys spoken dialogue and key audio elements in video content.
• Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC)
  Tools such as picture boards or speech-generating devices that support individuals with speech or communication challenges.
• American Sign Language (ASL) and Deaf Interpreting
  Professional interpreting services that facilitate communication for Deaf individuals in real time.
• Specialized Multilingual Desktop Publishing (DTP)
  Design and formatting of documents using accessibility best practices—such as properly tagged PDFs compatible with screen readers.
• Multilingual Translation and Interpreting
  Ensures information is accessible to individuals who do not communicate in Canada’s official languages, supporting inclusion across diverse communities.

“Everyone has the right to access public information. If a person cannot access a public document because of a disability, they are being denied their right to access.”

Ontario is the first province and one of the first jurisdictions in the world to enact specific legislation establishing a goal and time-frame for accessibility. It is also the first jurisdiction to legislate accessibility reporting and to establish standards so people with disabilities can participate more actively in their communities.

This is how the government is making Ontario more accessible by 2025.

Barriers to accessibility are obstacles that make it difficult — sometimes impossible — for people with disabilities to do the things most of us take for granted, like shopping, working or taking public transit.

We assist your organization in meeting the accessibility requirements by providing services such as:

• Braille
• Voice over
• Large print design
• American Sign Language – ASL
• Specialized DTP

What do you need to know about accessibility?

Making information accessible

What are alternate formats

Type of barriers to accessibility:

• Attitudinal
• Information or communications
• Organizational
• Architectural and physical

Source: Ontario Ministry of Economic Development, Employment & Infrastructure.

Some examples of Accessible / Alternate Formats:

Large Print Design: This helps people who have low vision. Large print materials should be prepared with a font (print) size that is 16 to 20 points or larger.

Braille: This is an alternative format for people who are blind or deafblind.

Audio format/ Voice Over: This is an alternative format for people with a vision, intellectual or developmental, or learning disability who are unable to read print.

Text Transcripts of visual and audio information: documentation created from audio files.

Captioning: use of subtitles to convey the message from a video.

Augmentative and alternative communication methods: picture boards, devices that speak out.

American Sign Language and Deaf Interpreting: interpreting services for Deaf individuals.

Specialized DTP: design of documentation in multiple formats utilizing accessibility features, i.e. a PDF document that is accessible for reading with software used by the blind population .

Multilingual translation and interpreting: making information available to populations that can’t communicate in either official language.