Tink Helps Implement VIA Rail Canada’s Universal Accessibility Policy

The summer of 2020 was a milestone for VIA Rail Canada, but also for the entire country. That July, Canada’s Accessible Transportation for Persons with Disabilities Regulations (ATPDR) came into force. This government standard includes new web content accessibility guidelines and physical infrastructure requirements.

From its onboard services and station amenities to its trip-planning options, VIA Rail prides itself on being one of the most accessible modes of transportation in Canada. Because it is constantly looking for ways to improve the travel experience for all Canadians, the company launched a universal accessibility policy, aimed at making Canada a barrier-free country for all travelers.

Tink was therefore mandated to ensure that viarail.ca met the new government web accessibility standards (AA level of compliance). Several pages needed to be modified, including the home page, the train schedule page, and the station pages.

We had the following objectives:

• Comply with the new government web accessibility standards
• Facilitate navigation on certain pages of the site for people with disabilities
• Enhance the site’s content to support VIA Rail’s commitment to being one of the most accessible mobility options in Canada and to encourage people with disabilities to travel across the country by train

Learn more about VIA Rail’s accessibility policy: https://www.viarail.ca/en/travel-info/accessibility open a new window