CAA North & East Ontario Improves Service for the Disabled with eSSENTIAL Accessibility

OTTAWA, ONTARIO--(Marketwire - March 15, 2012) - CAA North & East Ontario (CAANEO) has significantly expanded its service offering in an effort to meet the varying needs of its Members and the general public. Already a leader in customer satisfaction, the membership organization is participating in a Disability Community Involvement Initiative sponsored by March of Dimes Canada. In collaboration with eSSENTIAL Accessibility™, CAA North & East Ontario's redesigned website now features an interactive icon to enhance online access for individuals with disabilities.

"Every week, CAA North & East Ontario serves thousands of Ontarians in addition to out-of-province travellers," said Todd Beavis, Managing Director of Marketing for CAANEO. "Joining this initiative provides the necessary tools to allow for more individuals within our territory to engage with us."

eSSENTIAL Accessibility is committed to bringing organizations together with the common goal of empowering the disability community. With eSSENTIAL Accessibility, CAA North & East Ontario is helping to connect a greater amount of visitors to the automotive, travel and insurance information they need.

By clicking the eSSENTIAL Accessibility icon located on CAANEO's website (www.caaneo.ca), visitors can access the online tools they need to navigate the Web more easily. These tools are available to the more than two million Canadians who have difficulty typing, moving a mouse or reading a web page. eSSENTIAL Accessibility empowers users with dexterity limitations that arise from a variety of conditions including stroke, paralysis, arthritis, multiple sclerosis, cerebral palsy and Parkinson's disease. It also helps individuals who have difficulty reading because of literacy deficiencies, limited English proficiency, dyslexia, or mild visual impairment.

"Almost one in five Canadians are living with disability," said Simon Dermer, Managing Director of eSSENTIAL Accessibility. "CAA North & East Ontario recognizes the importance of serving this demographic properly. By taking part in the initiative, they are joining a growing number of forward-thinking enterprises creating economic and social value by factoring people with disabilities into their planning."

eSSENTIAL Accessibility helps Ontario organizations meet standards in customer service, employment and communication as mandated by the Communication Supports directive of the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA), 2005. We all benefit from greater accessibility given the contributions, involvement and spending power of people with disabilities. For more information and to see the eSSENTIAL Accessibility application in action, please visit www.caaneo.ca.

About CAA North & East Ontario

For more than 100 years, the Canadian Automobile Association has provided travel, Emergency Road Services, insurance, and advocacy for its Members. CAA North & East Ontario continues to be the leading membership organization by recognizing and promoting its heritage and integrity in the community, while maximizing value for Members.

About eSSENTIAL Accessibility

eSSENTIAL Accessibility makes online environments instantly accessible to individuals with physical disabilities. It's a virtual wheelchair for websites that empowers users with dexterity and visual limitations that arise from a variety of conditions including stroke, paralysis, arthritis, multiple sclerosis, cerebral palsy and Parkinson's disease, among others. Moreover, it also helps those who have difficulty reading because of literacy deficiencies, limited English proficiency, dyslexia, or mild visual impairment. Organizations feature the eSSENTIAL Accessibility icon as part of a Disability Community Involvement Initiative sponsored by March of Dimes Canada. The symbol displayed on websites acts as a clickable icon through which assistive technology can be downloaded free of charge. eSSENTIAL Accessibility does not ensure conformance with World Wide Web Consortium Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG). For more information visit www.essentialaccessibility.com.