Accessibility and Web Site Specifications

While every reasonable effort has been made to ensure the accessibility of this site, some content or services found here might be inaccessible to some visitors. In those circumstances, the contact information for someone who can assist you has been provided. Alternatively, see our list of contacts to direct your question to the most appropriate area of the Department.

• Document Format
• Increasing Text Size
• Skip Navigation Links
• Use of Access Keys M, 1 and 2
• Web Site Specifications

Document Format

Most content is available in HTML format (like this page). Many documents are also available in their original format:

Word Processing

Word Processing Software

• PDF - They may also be available as Portable Document Format. To view these files you will need Adobe Acrobat Reader. If the Adobe download site is not accessible to you, you can download Acrobat Reader from an accessible page. You can also visit the Adobe site for online conversion tools for PDF documents.
• DOC - Some files are available in Microsoft Word or Rich Text formats. To view these files you will need Microsoft Word Viewer.
• XLS - To read a spreadsheet in Microsoft Excel format, you will need the Microsoft Excel Viewer.
• PPT - Presentations are available in Microsoft PowerPoint format. To view these files you will need PowerPoint Presentation Viewer.

Media Players (to access audio and video files)

• Flash
• Quicktime
• RealPlayer
• Windows Media Player

Increasing Text Size

To increase or decrease the text size on our Web pages, you can select one of the following text size options: Small, Medium, Large, or eXtra Large. These text size options are indicated by Text Size: S M L XL and are located on the top right of the content section for each Web page.

Alternatively, you can change the settings in your Web browser. Just follow the instructions below based on the browser you are using or see your browser's help for details.

• Internet Explorer
  1. Select "View" in the menu bar.
  2. Select "Text Size".
  3. Select "Larger" or "Largest".

• Mozilla Firefox
  1. Select "View" in the menu bar.
  2. Select "Text Size".
  3. Select "Increase".
  4. To increase the text size further, continue selecting "Increase".

• Opera
  1. Select "View" in the menu bar.
  2. Select "Zoom".
  3. From the menu, select the size with which you would like to view the Web site.
  4. To increase the text size further, increase the percentage.

• Netscape
  1. Select "View" in the menu bar.
  2. Select "Text Size".
  3. From the menu, select the size with which you would like to view the Web site.

Skip Navigation Links

Skip navigation links have been implemented on the Health Canada Web site with a view to making the information on this site accessible to all users, including persons with disabilities who use adaptive technologies to receive and disseminate information.

Use of Access Keys M, 1 and 2

According to the Treasury Board's Common Look and Feel Guidelines, the use of Access Keys M, 1 and 2 are to be eliminated, and the use of any other access keys discouraged because there is no way of knowing which access keys conflict with any assistive technology or other applications installed and running on users' desktops.

Web Site Specifications

This site uses 216 colours. Your system should be configured to display at least 256 colours in 640 x 480 resolution or higher. Your Internet browser should be capable of displaying tables, handling electronic forms, displaying graphic images, and support all HTML extensions. A minimal connection of 28,800 BPS is also recommended.