Our Commitment to Digital Accessibility
True North Brief is dedicated to ensuring that our digital content is accessible to all users, including those with disabilities, in alignment with the Accessible Canada Act (ACA). We recognize accessibility as a fundamental right and a core part of our mission to provide trustworthy, unbiased news and analysis to Canadians. This statement outlines our ongoing efforts to meet the needs of diverse audiences and to comply with Canadian accessibility standards.
Our commitment extends beyond legal compliance; it is embedded in our editorial workflow, technical development, and user experience design. We strive to remove barriers that may prevent anyone from accessing our reporting, analysis, and resources. For more about who we are and our values, please visit our About Us page and meet our team.
Standards and Compliance Framework
We adhere to the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) 2.2 Level AA as the technical benchmark for our digital properties, supplemented by the guidance provided by the Canadian Accessibility Standards published at accessible.canada.ca. This framework ensures our website is perceivable, operable, understandable, and robust for users with various disabilities.
Our compliance is guided by the principles of the Accessible Canada Act, which mandates proactive identification, removal, and prevention of barriers in information and communication technologies. We regularly audit our site using automated tools and manual testing with assistive technologies. Our Editorial Policy and Fact‑Checking Policy incorporate accessibility considerations into content creation, ensuring clarity, structure, and plain language.
Keyboard Navigation and Focus Management
All interactive elements on TrueNorthBrief.com are fully operable using a keyboard alone. Users can navigate through links, buttons, forms, and menus using the Tab, Enter, and arrow keys without encountering keyboard traps. Focus indicators are clearly visible and meet contrast requirements to help users track their position on the page.
We have implemented logical tab orders that follow the visual layout of content, and skip‑navigation links are provided to bypass repetitive blocks. Our Complaints Procedure and Corrections Policy are also keyboard‑accessible. If you experience any issues with keyboard navigation, please contact our accessibility team at accessibility@truenorthbrief.com so we can investigate and resolve the barrier.
Visual Design, Contrast, and Reduced Motion
We ensure text and interactive elements meet a minimum contrast ratio of 4.5:1 for normal text and 3:1 for large text, as required by WCAG 2.2 AA. This applies to all text, icons, and form inputs. We avoid using colour alone to convey information; additional cues such as underlines, patterns, or icons are provided.
For users who experience visual discomfort or motion sensitivity, we respect the prefers‑reduced‑motion media query. When this setting is enabled, non‑essential animations and transitions are suppressed. Our site is designed to minimize flashing, strobing, or rapidly changing content. To understand how we handle user data and preferences, please review our Privacy Policy and Cookie Policy. We also disclose our Ownership and Funding to maintain transparency.
Limitations and Ongoing Improvements
While we strive for full accessibility, we acknowledge that some content—such as third‑party embeds, legacy downloadable documents, or archival multimedia—may present temporary barriers. We are actively working to remediate these items by providing text alternatives, transcripts, or alternative formats. Our Accessibility Statement is reviewed quarterly and updated as improvements are made.
We prioritize accessibility in new features and content launches. Known limitations include certain PDF forms that are not fully tagged, and some interactive maps that may require alternative navigation. We encourage users to contact us directly if they encounter a barrier. Your feedback helps us identify gaps and prioritize fixes in our development roadmap.
Feedback and Contact Information
We welcome your input on how we can improve the accessibility of TrueNorthBrief.com. If you have suggestions, encounter difficulties, or require content in an alternative format, please email our dedicated accessibility coordinator at accessibility@truenorthbrief.com. We aim to respond within three business days and will work with you to provide a satisfactory solution.
For formal complaints regarding accessibility barriers, please follow our Complaints Procedure. You may also contact us by phone or mail through our Contact page. True North Brief is committed to continuous improvement and to ensuring that our digital presence is inclusive for all Canadians, in line with the spirit and letter of the Accessible Canada Act.