About the Project
With this project we aim to create a more secure and inclusive digital environment for everyone. We want to understand the cybersecurity threats faced by Canadians with disabilities, Deaf Canadians, and other historically underrepresented and intersectional groups, and the barriers to safely accessing digital systems these communities face.
With this knowledge we will:
- develop guidelines for technology creators towards building secure and accessible technologies,
- gather and create cybersecurity learning resources that meet the needs of disabled and Deaf communities, and
- equip policy-makers and standards organizations with recommendations for creating inclusive cybersecurity related policies and standards.
About Cybersecurity and Accessibility
Cybersecurity is a large and complex space and knowledge about what it is and how to achieve it is inaccessible to many. Through co-design we aim to collaboratively define it in a way that is simple and clear and that can be understood by anyone. For now, we can start by defining cybersecurity as the things we do (processes and practices) and use (digital tools) to protect ourselves from digital threats like online fraud, email scams, computer viruses, and personal data theft. Many of the cybersecurity tools and practices available today are not accessible, making people with disabilities especially vulnerable to cybersecurity threats.
Our Approach
Our research approach centres around a co-design process* undertaken with living-experience experts recruited from our partner organizations. The understanding and knowledge gained from co-design will inform and be supplemented by:
- ongoing research into current knowledge and practices in accessible, useable and inclusive cybersecurity,
- connecting with and learning from cybersecurity experts, and
- conducting interviews with technology developers and policy makers.
*For more information about our co-design approach please see the Community-Led Co-design Kit.
In Year 1 of the project, we held 3 co-design sessions in which we:
- Developed a shared understanding of cybersecurity
- Discussed findings from previous research
- Explored cybersecurity scenarios, generating a list of barriers, gaps, and threats
- Brainstormed approaches to addressing the gaps and barriers, including:
- Identifying learning gaps and resources needed
- Developing guidelines for technology creators
In Years 2 and 3 of the project we will hold working and feedback sessions to develop the guidelines and recommendations for technology creators and policy makers.
Partners
Wavefront Centre for Communication Accessibility
Canadian Council of the Blind - Toronto Visionaries
Funders
Funded by Accessibility Standards Canada / the Government of Canada.
