RGD Measures Changes in Attitude Toward Accessible Design
Posted by RGD Ontario on Dec 13, 2010 | No Comments
December 13, 2010
RGD once again invites graphic design professionals to complete an online survey on accessible design.
A year into RGD’s Accessibility project, made possible with support from the Government of Ontario, as part of the EnAbling Change Partnership program, this survey aims to measure the changes in awareness to accessible design issues. Responses will be evaluated in direct comparison with last year’s survey results to measure the impact, if any, RGD’s project has had on the design community.
Since the original survey was completed, RGD presented the industry with a one-day conference (last January), launched a dedicated ACCESS-ABILITY website, and published a best practices handbook. Future initiatives include a webinar series on accessible design (taking place in February and March), as well as a lecture tour to graphic design programs at Ontario’s colleges and universities.
All survey participants will be entered into a draw for a chance to win a free registration to DesignThinkers 2011 (Nov. 3-4 in Toronto) if you fill out the survey by Monday, December 20!
To complete the survey, please visit www.rgdontario.com/accessibledesign.
If you have any questions or thoughts on this project, please contact Christina Mastruzzo, Communications Coordinator, at christina@rgdontario.com.
RGD Launches Best Practices Handbook at DesignThinkers 2010
Posted by RGD Ontario on Nov 10, 2010 | 6 Comments
With the support of the Government of Ontario, RGD released its handbook on accessible graphic design at this year’s DesignThinkers, at the Metro Toronto Convention Centre.
“Imagine your life cut off from the ability to access information,” says Lionel Gadoury R.G.D., President, RGD. “Professional graphic designers strive to make communications clear and compelling, turning ideas into interactions. Inclusivity is essential to effective design and through this program, RGD is helping designers as they work to make our world more navigable and easier to understand.”
> More about the Handbook and PDF Download
ACCESS-ABILITY Conference Transcripts Available for Viewing
Posted by RGD Ontario on May 31, 2010 | 1 Comment
RGD Ontario’s ACCESS-ABILITY Conference featured an impressive line-up of guest experts in fields ranging from information design to environmental design. Among the presentations was a series of four case studies that showed the audience tangible examples of accessible design in action.
To view the transcripts of these presentations, follow the links below:
Designing Signage for Universal Accessibility: Working with the CNIB on Pearson’s Terminal 1 Presented by Wayne McCutcheon R.G.D., Entro Communications
Projects at the ROM to meet the new AODA Customer Service Standards Presented by Dave Hollands, Royal Ontario Museum
The Ultimate Accessibility Challenge: Designing an Exhibition about Disability, History and Activism Presented by Debbie Adams R.G.D., Adams + Associates Design Consultants
Through Their Eyes: Designing the Reflections book for Chartwell’s National Appreciation of Seniors Day Presented by Brad Walker R.G.D., Charwell Seniors Housing REIT
Other transcripts from the conference can be found under the Guest Experts section of the website.
ACCESS-ABILITY Presentations Ready for Viewing
Posted by RGD Ontario on Feb 18, 2010 | 7 Comments
Presentations from RGD Ontario’s ACCESS-ABILITY: Design Accessibility Conference are now available for viewing. The conference took place on January 28 in Toronto and featured an impressive line-up of experts in the field of accessible design.
Information Design Dissected – Presenter View from RGD Ontario on Vimeo.
> Read more about viewing the presentations
Call for Entries for Accessible Design Projects
Posted by RGD Ontario on Feb 16, 2010 | 1 Comment
RGD Ontario is calling all designers with experience in accessible design to submit their projects. As part of its ongoing accessibility project, RGD Ontario is searching for case studies to feature in a best practices handbook, due for release later this year, as well as a new website on accessible design.
>More on submitting your project
Access-Ability Conference photo highlights
Posted by RGD Ontario on Feb 5, 2010 | No Comments
Naveesha Maharaj and Debbie Gillespie, Accessibility Consultants, CNIB
Lionel Gadoury R.G.D., President of RGD Ontario, introducing Derek Featherstone Web Accessibility Expert, Further Ahead
> More conference photos
Derek Featherstone talks web accessibility
Posted by RGD Ontario on Feb 3, 2010 | 2 Comments
TORONTO — The afternoon sessions at last weeks RGD Ontario Access-Ability Conference included Ottawa-based web accessibility expert Derek Featherstone who spoke about the fundamentals of web accessibility.
Featherstone says accessibility needs to be part of the design process
He said the importance of accessible for the web is not just in meeting the guidelines, but about good design and planning. “Too much of accessibility happens between the implementation and launch of a project when the costs are highest,” said Featherstone.
> More on Derek Feathersone’s Access Ability talk
Jenn and Ken dissect info design at Access-Ability
Posted by RGD Ontario on Feb 1, 2010 | No Comments
Jenn and Ken Visocky O’Grady speak to a packed house at the Access-Ability Conference
TORONTO—Last week RGD Ontario hosted Access-Ability, a day-long event focusing on graphic design for a more accessible world. Morning speakers included the engaging duo Jenn and Ken Visocky O’Grady, founders of Lakewood, Ohio-based creative think tank Enspace and authors of The Information Design Handbook and A Designer’s Research Manual.
>More about information design
RGD Ontario enables change for people with disabilities
Posted by RGD Ontario on Jan 28, 2010 | No Comments
More than 1.85 million people in Ontario/4.4 million people in Canada have a disability. This number is on the rise as our population ages.
Accessibility is no longer an option. It’s a necessity.
The Association of Registered Graphic Designers of Ontario (RGD Ontario) is helping to lead the way to a more accessible province for everyone through a partnership with the Ontario government.
> Read the full artcile
RGD hosts accessible design conference in Toronto
Posted by RGD Ontario on Jan 26, 2010 | No Comments
ACCESSIBLE DESIGN FOR A MORE ACCESSIBLE WORLD
TORONTO, ON (Jan. 26) – Making graphic design more accessible is the subject of an upcoming conference hosted by the Association of Registered Graphic Designers of Ontario (RGD) on January 29. Attendees at ACCESS-ABILITY: Design Accessibility Conference will hear from industry experts from across North America as they reveal ways to transform design so that it may be accessed, understood and enjoyed by all.
> Read the list of speakers and events