Accessibility
Is the online questionnaire accessible?
The online questionnaire has several features to make sure it is accessible to respondents, including users of assistive technologies:
- Each page of the questionnaire is logically structured, featuring a “Skip to main content” link, headings, and form controls, including “Next” and “Previous” buttons to navigate from page to page.
- An HTML5 technique was used so that screen reader users hear the question and the relevant contextual header repeated after the answer options have been identified.
- Most questions have a help button with a question mark (?) to give respondents further context and clarification if needed.
- Pages with questions that are left blank or incomplete will reload as “Attention” pages, providing same-page links to the questions that require revision.
Despite these features, some content or services might be inaccessible to some respondents. For assistance, please contact one of the following:
- Census of Population Help Line: 1-833-835-2024
- Census of Agriculture Help Line: 1-855-859-6273.
For TTY (a telecommunications device for deaf persons), please call 1-833-830-3109. Video relay services (VRS) can also be used.
Notice to users of assistive technology
The following information is intended to clarify navigation of the online census test questionnaire for users of assistive technology.
Read the entire page
It is recommended that you carefully read through the content of each question or new screen of the online questionnaire before responding.
Page structure and navigation
All pages of the online census test questionnaire begin with a Skip to main content link. Selecting this link will bring you directly to the main content of the page.
All pages of the questionnaire include a Level 1 heading indicating the name of the online census test questionnaire. A Level 2 heading introduces the current section, or the survey “step,” and each question is contained within a Level 3 heading.
Depending on the question, various form elements (e.g., edit fields, drop-down combination boxes, radio buttons) will present the answer options. Screen reader users can hear the question repeated after the answer options have been identified. If you do not need to hear the question repeated, simply provide your answer, and move on to the next question.
If you are completing the online census test questionnaire in English, ensure the native language of your screen reader is set to English for best results.
Form controls
Do not use the “back” and “forward” buttons in your browser or the “back” and “forward” keyboard shortcuts. Instead, navigate with the form control buttons provided.
Every page of the online questionnaire contains the following navigational form control buttons:
- Next
- Previous
- Help (?).
Help for the current question
Most questions have a help button with a question mark (?) just after the question. Selecting this button opens a page that provides further context and clarification about the question. Closing the help window or using your keyboard’s escape key will close the help page and bring you back to your current location in the questionnaire.
Blank or incomplete responses
If a question has been left blank or incomplete, the page will reload when you use the “Next” button. Questions that require revision will be listed sequentially at the top of the content area. Each question will be preceded by the Level 3 heading “Attention,” offering a direct link to the question.