Advanis believes capturing feedback, sentiment, and perceptions using online surveys needs to be inclusive. Respondents with visual or auditory impairments are often challenged, if not completely shut out of participating, in online research studies because the surveys are not delivered on a platform that they can access. Individuals with visual impairments rely on their keyboard (no mouse), Text-to-Speech technology, and tools to zoom in on or enlarge content to complete surveys, while those with auditory impairments are impeded when online surveys include sounds and video clips. According to Statistics Canada*, an estimated 5% of Canadians have visual or auditory limitations (with the CDC** reporting a similar 5% in the US).
Advanis has developed an online survey platform that adheres to the WCAG 2.0 AA core principles of accessibility to deliver the necessary tools to ensure that the perspectives of all respondents, including those with auditory and visual impairments, are captured. Advanis has developed protocols and practices to ensure that Canadians with specific visual and auditory disabilities are not impeded from completing our client’s online surveys. Upon request, our email survey invitations include a default link to our standard mobile and desktop optimized surveys as well as an alternative link to a WCAG 2.0 AA compliant survey for those with visual or hearing impairments. Our WCAG 2.0 AA platform compliments our best in class survey toolkit to deliver:
- Adjustments for visual impairments:
- Use of colour: Colour is not the primary means of conveying information and is used with high contrast.
- Text-based content: Questions are provided with clear, text-based instructions, and text-based captions are included with images to allow a text-to-speech device to describe given images.
- Pop-up or text changes: Similar survey questions have overt differences between them and pop-ups alert browsers for validation messages.
- Adjustments for auditory impairments:
- Text descriptions are included for all video and audio recordings.
In 2018 and 2019, Advanis was responsible for the data collection of the Public Service Employee Survey (PSES), a voluntary census administered on behalf of the Office of the Chief Human Resources Officer, Treasury Board of Canada. The objective of this survey is to provide information to support the continuous improvement of management practices. Advanis programmed the questionnaire using its proprietary software. Notably, the online survey was approved as Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) 2.0 AA compliant in 2018; Advanis is one of the few external companies that has accomplished this for the Government of Canada. Advanis is proud to have contributed to this important survey and to further guarantee that employees with auditory and visual impairments could participate in the 100+ question online survey. Advanis also created a custom website, also WCAG 2.0 AA compliant, to provide efficient 24/7 support to employees during the data collection period.
For more examples of our work that incorporates the human element, consider reading Human Experience in Insights. We look forward to speaking to you to see how we can support your inclusive and accessible survey needs.
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- *Source: 2017 StatsCan Canadian Survey on Disability (https://www150.statcan.gc.ca/n1/en/pub/89-654-x/89-654-x2018001-eng.pdf?...) which covers Canadians 15 years + whose everyday activities are limited because of long term condition or health related problem. https://www150.statcan.gc.ca/n1/pub/11-627-m/11-627-m2018035-eng.htm
- **Source: 2018 Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (https://www.cdc.gov/ncbddd/disabilityandhealth/infographic-disability-im...) which analyzes the incidence of disability among American adults. https://www.cdc.gov/ncbddd/disabilityandhealth/infographic-disability-im...
- ***PSES 2018 Goverment of Canada (https://www.tbs-sct.gc.ca/pses-saff/2018/results-resultats/bq-pq/index-e...)
- Image by cris renma from Pixabay