Accessibility Statement

1. Our Commitment

Retirewise is committed to ensuring digital accessibility for people with disabilities. We are continually improving the user experience for everyone, and applying the relevant accessibility standards.

We believe that financial planning tools and resources should be accessible to all Canadians, regardless of ability. Our team works diligently to ensure our platform meets and exceeds accessibility requirements.

2. Accessibility Features

Our platform includes the following accessibility features:

• Keyboard navigation for all interactive elements
• Screen reader compatibility
• Text-to-speech functionality for content
• Dementia-friendly interface options with simplified layouts
• High contrast mode and adjustable text sizes
• Alternative text for all images
• Focus indicators for keyboard navigation
• Customizable font options for improved readability
• Bilingual support (English and French)

3. Dementia-Friendly Mode

We recognize that cognitive accessibility is an important aspect of inclusive design. Our Dementia-Friendly Mode includes:

• Simplified user interface with reduced visual clutter
• Clear, consistent navigation patterns
• Step-by-step guidance for complex processes
• Memory aids and visual cues throughout the application
• Extended session timeouts
• Larger buttons and touch targets
• Reduced motion and animation effects

To enable Dementia-Friendly Mode, go to Settings and select "Dementia-Friendly Interface" under Accessibility Options.

4. Conformance Status

The Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) defines requirements for designers and developers to improve accessibility for people with disabilities. It defines three levels of conformance: Level A, Level AA, and Level AAA.

Retirewise is partially conformant with WCAG 2.1 level AA. Partially conformant means that some parts of the content do not fully conform to the accessibility standard.

We are actively working to increase our level of conformance across our entire platform.

5. Testing and Evaluation

Our platform's accessibility is regularly evaluated by:

• Internal testing with various assistive technologies
• User testing with individuals who have diverse abilities
• Automated accessibility scans and manual evaluations
• Consultations with accessibility experts
• Feedback from our user community

6. Feedback Process

We welcome your feedback on the accessibility of Retirewise. Please let us know if you encounter any barriers:

• Email: accessibility@retirewise.ca
• Phone: +1 (416) 555-1234
• Feedback form: Available in the Help section of our website

We aim to respond to accessibility feedback within 3 business days, and to propose a solution within 10 business days.

7. Compatibility with User Tools

Retirewise is designed to be compatible with the following assistive technologies:

• Screen readers (including NVDA, JAWS, and VoiceOver)
• Speech recognition software
• Screen magnification software
• Alternative input devices
• Browser accessibility extensions

8. Technical Specifications

Accessibility of Retirewise relies on the following technologies:

• HTML
• WAI-ARIA
• CSS
• JavaScript

These technologies are relied upon for conformance with the accessibility standards used.

9. Limitations and Alternatives

Despite our best efforts to ensure accessibility, there may be some limitations:

• Certain interactive financial charts may be difficult to interpret with screen readers
• PDF reports generated by the system require Adobe Reader or similar PDF readers with accessibility features
• Some third-party content that we link to may not be fully accessible

If you encounter any barriers, please contact our support team, and we will provide an alternative means of accessing the information.

10. Ongoing Improvements

Retirewise is committed to:

• Fixing identified accessibility issues in a timely manner
• Conducting regular accessibility audits
• Providing accessibility training for our staff
• Including accessibility as a core requirement when developing new features
• Engaging with users with disabilities to better understand their needs

11. Contact Information

For questions or concerns regarding this accessibility statement or the accessibility of Retirewise, please contact:

Accessibility Team
Email: accessibility@retirewise.ca
Phone: +1 (416) 555-1234
Address: Retirewise, Bay Street, Suite 2500, Toronto, ON M5J 2L1