Increased accessibility

What we heard

What we did

The website should comply with the current Web Content Accessibility Guidelines.

Built site to follow international website accessibility guidelines (WCAG 2.1 AA) to help make content more accessible to people with disabilities.

Show where translated information can be accessed in visitors’ preferred language(s). Have headers or buttons in-language. As well, the most searched items are also the ones that should be prioritized for translation to other languages.

Translated key information into 11 languages, including emergency information and information on how to access health care.

Be able to view clinics (virtual ones too), including urgent primary care centres and hospitals in map view or list view.

Designed an interactive map at the bottom of each service page to make it easier to find a service location near visitors. Have also enhanced the Find a location page to have the ability to type in an address and see locations and services nearby. Have also enhanced location pages to include a list of all services available at a location.

Improve the search function so that options can be suggested based on search.

Implemented an enhanced search solution with ability to filter. Have also made content easier to find with multiple pathways to access information.

Made content easier to understand and find

Emergency care options should be immediately clear on the homepage. In particular, participants suggested a phone number that can be easily called.

Created an emergency button at top of website for faster access to crisis information.

There is lack of clarity about what VCH is and what VCH does. Visitors do not know what areas fall under the VCH region and do not have the ability to see if they live within it.

Developed clearer content about who VCH is, the regions we serve and how to access health care in the region.

Make it more intuitive to locate information on the website. The website is difficult to navigate, confusing and visitors do not know where to find information on the website. There is a lot of information on specific topics.

Organized content by health topic and added options to find content by conditions and diseases. Added key information on “How to access” information on every service location to explain how to access, including referral information for providers.

The information should be in plain language (layperson terms) to make it easier for visitors to navigate and search the website, especially in an emergency. Plain English will make translation easier.

Enhanced and simplified information for children and youth, older adults and seniors, 2SLGBTQIA+ and Indigenous Peoples.

Increased Indigenous representation

Indigenous Health webpage is not easily accessible from the home page and there needs to be more comprehensive information about services, partnerships with other organizations and funding opportunities. It is difficult to find Indigenous Health’s mission statement and goals.

Updated Indigenous Health content including:

• Guiding principles and about Indigenous Health,
• Indigenous self-identification process,
  
• Sacred spaces and gathering places,
• Indigenous care and support services,

  
  

It would be beneficial to bring all Indigenous services throughout the website into a central and easily accessible location.

Created a centralized location to access Indigenous services and programs.

A territorial acknowledgement on the website is an important first step to honour that VCH places of work and facilities lie on the traditional homelands of First Nation, Métis and Inuit communities. This would demonstrate commitment to holding up these communities’ cultures.

Included a territory acknowledgement on the website footer throughout the website.

Expanded information on the 14 First Nation communities created with the Nations’ Elders and Knowledge Keepers.