Accessible Techcomm

Started in late 2001, GOK was created at the ATRC (University of Toronto) with funding from Sun Microsystems. GOK (an award winning software that provides text entry and graphical user interface interaction using only switches and/or mouse devices), is an on-screen keyboard that provides access to the GNOME desktop through dynamically generated keyboards, and text entry by one of the provided alphanumeric keyboards, or a dynamic keyboard based on the users current system keyboard driver, or even a user-made keyboard.

GOK keyboards are created in two ways. Dynamic keyboards are created (while GOK is running) to provide access to the desktop and application GUIs. Premade keyboards are specified using fairly simple xml (".kbd") files. GOK allows the creation of new ways of operating the GOK keyboards by XML "access method" files (".xam") files. These files also provide the description of the user interface for the access method's settings.

GOK needs help! There is a list of enhancement requests that the developers welcome anyone to help out with. GOK has lots of room for improvement including a need for easier configuration, visual slickness, as well as refactoring and bug fixing. For a critical review please read Henrik's GOK review at https://wiki.ubuntu.com/Accessibility/Reviews/GOK.

GOK gnome site: https://developer.gnome.org/

GOK gnome wiki site: https://wiki.gnome.org/Attic/Gok

National AccessAbility Week (NAAW) with the coming into force of the Accessible Canada Act in July 2019, NAAW is now legislated. This means that it must take place every year, starting on the last Sunday in May.
Accessibility Resource Centre of Canada
Active Living Alliance For Canadians with a Disability [Ontario]
Adaptech Research Network In partnership with NEADS, the Adaptech Research Project conducts research on the use of computer technologies by Canadian college and university students with disabilities. [Québec]
Alliance for Equality for Blind Canadians (AEBC) is dedicated to promoting the increased inclusion of blind, deaf-blind and partially sighted Canadians in all aspects of social life, from employment to participation in elections. Our members, comprised of blind, deaf-blind and partially sighted consumers and supporters from across the country, participate in working groups and committees, engage with local, city-based chapters, and engage in public awareness and education activities on a daily basis.
Arthritis Society of Canada [Canada]
Brainstreams is the official website of the The BC Brain Injury Association (BCBIA). We are a non-profit provincial organization in British Columbia serving the interests of the acquired brain injury population. [British Columbia]
Brain Injury Association of Canada [Canada]
Canadian Accessibility Network (CAN) is a a national partnership in advancing accessibility for persons with disabilities through Research, Design and Innovation, Education and Training, Policy, Employment, and Community Engagement.
Canadian Centre on Disability Studies (CCDS)
Canadian Down Syndrome Society (CDSS)
Canadian Sleep Society (CSS)
Currency exchange rates for both Canadian and US dollars
Canadian Association for Supported Employment (CASE). CASE is a national member association for the supported employment sector. They work with employment service providers, employers, community allies and stakeholders working toward employment inclusion of people experiencing disability. They strive to facilitate full participation in the labour force by offering resources, expertise, and support to service providers. New
Canadian Association of Rehabilitation Professionals (CARP)
Canadian Cancer Society (CCS) / Société canadienne du cancer (SCC)
Canadian Diabetes Association (CDA)
Canadian Hearing Society (CHS)
Canadian National Institute for the Blind (CNIB) CNIB is the primary source of support, information and most importantly, hope, for all Canadians affected by vision loss. Founded in 1918, CNIB has become one of the world's largest private agencies committed to vision health issues. CNIB is one of Canada’s oldest charitable organizations and receives its funding through the generous support of individuals, corporations, governments, and other funders. Their Web site is very accessible and allows users to use four different text sizes and three variations in contrast for the site (default, high, and soft).
Canadian Olympic Committee
Canadian Paralympic Committee
Spinal Cord Injury (SCI) Canada (formerly the Canadian Paraplegic Association)
Canadian Wheelchair Sports Association
National Women's Health Research Initiative: Pan-Canadian Women&#39’s Health Coalition. Women’s health information you can trust. Government of Canada, Canadian Institutes of Health Research. New
Centre of Excellence for Women's Health Use this to flag URL changes in pages and posts
Updated
Council of Canadians with Disabilities in English and French
Disability benefits in Canada. There are many programs to help you supplement your other sources of income if you’re living with a disability. New
- Employment Insurance (EI) benefits
- The Canada Pension Plan (CPP) provides monthly payments to people who contribute to the plan during their working years.
- CPP children's benefits for dependents under 25
- Disability benefits for veterans
- Provincial and territorial disability benefits
- Social assistance
- Workers' compensation
- Employer-sponsored health care benefits
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- Employer-sponsored pension
- Disability insurance benefits
- Credit and loan insurance benefits
- Taxes and disability benefits from the Government of Canada
- Taxes and disability insurance benefits
DogGuides, by the Lions Foundation of Canada, providing dog guides to Canadians with disabilities.
Down Syndrome Association of Peterborough formerly known as C.H.A.N.G.E.S. (Children and Adults for Normalization, Growth, Equality, and Socialization)
Epilepsy Ontario Service Dogs
History of Polio in Canada
Inclusive Design Research Centre [Ontario]
Manitoba Brain Injury Association
Mental Health Works
National Educational Association of Disabled Students (NEADS) in English and French
Opportunities Fund for Persons with Disabilities. The Opportunities Fund for Persons with Disabilities assists persons with disabilities to prepare for, obtain and maintain employment. It supports persons with disabilities in overcoming barriers to participation in the Canadian labour market, and it supports employers to hire persons with disabilities. New
Bayshore Health Services Residential Rehab [formerly Neurologic Rehabilitation Institute of Ontario] a program to assist persons with moderate to severe brain injuries and other neurological impairments in achieving success in increasing their level of independence.
Spina Bifida and Hydrocephalus Association of Canada
Canadian Wheelchair Sports Association
Sleep Apnea from the Lung Association of Canada
Tetra Society recruits skilled volunteer engineers and technicians to create assistive devices for people with disabilities.
The Canadian MPS Society (Mucopolysaccharide)
TILE: The Inclusive Learning Exchange "advances e-learning functionality for all learners by making broadband e-learning inclusive of people with disabilities."
Turner Syndrome Society of Canada
VisionKey brings the latest in wearable eye-controlled communication technology to enable users with ALS, brainstem stroke, muscular dystrophy, CP, Locked-in-Syndrome, Quadriplegia, or traumatic brain injury to use eye movements for complete computer access and for augmentative communication. Available in English, French, and Spanish and runs on Macintosh and Windows platforms. Manufactured by H.K. EyeCan.
Web Standards for the Government of Canada Updated
PDF of the report: "We’re Women, Too: Identifying Barriers to Gynecologic and Breast Health Care for Women with Disabilities", by Lenore Riddell; Kathy Greenberg; Joan Meister; Jude Kornelsen. (.pdf)
Very readable 48-page study and results by Canadian researchers of the British Columbia Centre of Excellence for Women’s Health (BCCEWH). [British Columbia]
Women's Health Research Foundation of Canada, Inc. (WHRFC) New
Women’s Health Matters a Canadian source for evidence-based and up-to-date information on women’s health and lifestyle issues. Also available in French at https://www.femmesensante.ca/index.html

Tag: University of Toronto

GOK: the Gnome Online Keyboard

International Disability: Canada

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