Accessibility

Accessibility

Accessibility is a general notion that applies both to access for people with disabilities and access by way of new technologies (palmtop computers, cell phones, etc.).

Web accessibility allows people with disabilities and individuals who cannot use a mouse to have access to the information found on Web sites. For example, accessibility allows blind people who use technical aids (Braille display) and software (voice synthesis software) to interpret the informational content of the Web pages. It also allows people with reduced mobility to easily navigate the Internet.

This site adheres to the XHTML and CSS standards recommended by the W3C (World Wide Web Consortium). This development rule permits access by voice browsers, screen readers and Braille displays used by people with disabilities. A constant effort is made to improve and maintain accessibility standards in accordance with the WAI (Web Accessibility Initiative).

Separation of the structure and the presentation

  • A text equivalent is provided by the ALT attribute of meaningful images, when they are not described precisely in the text they illustrate; the ALT attribute of non-meaningful images is empty. The layout does not use invisible images.
  • The layout is based exclusively on external style sheets.
  • The pages are structured using H1 to H5 titles, by following the appropriate order.
  • The information making up lists is indicated using UL and OL elements.
  • The information making up quotes is indicated using the following elements: « (open French brackets) and » (close French brackets) in French and " in English.

Increasing or reducing the size of the text

To allow browsers to change the size of the text, the fonts have been defined with a relative size. Consequently, you can increase or reduce the size of the text appearing on the site. For this purpose, the following 3 methods are available to you:

  • The aAA allows you to increase or reduce the size of the character as the case may be.
  • Use of the menu of your browser.
  • Go to the “View” menu, choose “Text size” and select the desired size.
  • Use of keyboard shortcuts

    If you have Internet Explorer or Firefox, simply use the “Ctrl” key, and if your mouse is equipped with a scroll wheel, roll the wheel. You can also use the combination of the “Ctrl” and “+”or “-” keys to increase or reduce the size of the text. Use the combination “Ctrl” + “0” to restore the default text size of the browser.


Important note!
These changes take place on the browser and not on the site. Consequently, if you visit another site afterwards, use the same combination in order to display a text size adapted to the other site.

Keyboard shortcuts

Not all Web surfers have the possibility of using a mouse to navigate. That is why the site of the Commission des normes du travail has been programmed to allow navigation using access keys. This functionality is supported by Internet Explorer and most browsers.

1 = Home

3 = Site map

4 = Search

9 = Contacts

0 = Accessibility

s = Skip menu or Go to the menu (as the case may be)

Last update: May 1, 2008

Gouvernement du Québec

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