TD Bank Group is taking a significant step towards making online experiences more inclusive with the launch of its accessibility browser plug-in, the TD Accessibility Adapter. Introduced at the opening night of the 2023 Elevate Festival, this innovative tool is now available to the public in both Canada and the United States at no cost. The TD Accessibility Adapter empowers users to customize their online experiences based on their individual accessibility preferences.
NewTech Friday: Kangsters – Inventing fitness solutions for wheelchair users
This groundbreaking accessibility tool offers a range of features, including reading guides, adjustable font size, dark mode, a dyslexia-friendly font, and monochrome mode. It has been thoughtfully designed to function seamlessly with other assistive technologies, such as standalone screen magnification software, without relying on overlays.
"At TD, inclusion is part of our DNA – it's infused in how we work, how we support our customers, and it's fundamental in how we innovate," stated Rizwan Khalfan, Chief Digital and Payments Officer at TD Bank Group. "By making this tool available to the public, we aim to support communities and organizations beyond the bank, driving further inclusion in their online experiences."
The development of the TD Accessibility Adapter originated from TD Lab, an innovation group within TD that collaborates with various bank divisions. Its primary objective was to expand the accessibility options available to TD colleagues, whether or not they identified as having a disability. The pilot phase began earlier in 2023, initially involving over 6,000 retail colleagues from TD Bank, America's Most Convenient Bank® (AMCB) in the U.S. By June, the tool had been extended to over 95,000 TD colleagues worldwide. This internal launch empowered TD colleagues to personalize their online accessibility preferences, irrespective of their disability status.
"Delivering an accessible online experience is a testament to prioritizing inclusion in an increasingly digital world," emphasized Ravi Acharya, Head of Consumer Distribution Program Delivery at TD Bank, America's Most Convenient Bank. "Throughout the initial AMCB pilot, our team took pride in offering this tool to our colleagues first, ensuring that every bank employee could have their accessibility preferences met while serving the financial needs of our customers."
The release of the TD Accessibility Adapter coincides with National Disability Employment Awareness Month (NDEAM), observed each October to celebrate the contributions of workers with disabilities and promote accessible workplaces. It underscores the importance of inclusive policies, practices, and tools for building a diverse and accessible workforce.
Samantha Estoesta, Product Manager – Social Innovation Specialization at TD and Product Owner of the TD Accessibility Adapter tool, shared insights into the tool's purpose: "Our goal with the Adapter was to provide an accessible online experience designed with inclusion in mind. We've seen a resoundingly positive response from teams across the Bank – even from those without a diagnosed disability. By opening access to the tool beyond TD, we can help to further drive inclusion."
The TD Accessibility Adapter is available for download via the Chrome Web Store. Once installed, users can easily access and customize the tool to suit their unique accessibility needs. Detailed tutorials on using the TD Accessibility Adapter are available within the extension, ensuring that users can make the most of its capabilities.
With this initiative, TD continues to demonstrate its commitment to fostering a more inclusive digital landscape and empowering individuals to tailor their online experiences to their specific requirements.
