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 move 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 Test Help Line: 1-833-835-2024
- Census of Agriculture Test 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.
What help is available 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.
Is the 2024 Census Test questionnaire available in alternate formats for people with disabilities?
Hearing or speech impairment
The questionnaire is not available in alternate formats. A presentation of the census test questions and reasons why the questions are asked is available on Census test questions in alternate formats.
The presentation is available in both American Sign Language and Quebec Sign Language.
People who have a hearing or speech impairment and need help completing their questionnaire can call the Census Help Line TTY number (1-833-830-3109) to request assistance. Video relay services (VRS) can also be used.
Visual challenges
For people with visual challenges, the census test questions and reasons why the questions are asked are available for reference purposes only in digital braille and audio formats. These formats can be obtained by visiting Census test questions in alternate formats.
A large-print version of the Census of Population Test questionnaire is also available upon request. Large-print questionnaires are printed on legal-sized paper in a larger font size, with space to enumerate two individuals.
People who wish to obtain a large-print format or who need help completing their questionnaire should call the Census Help Line at 1-833-835-2024.
If respondents do not return a questionnaire, census employees will follow up and help them complete their questionnaire.
Can the online questionnaire be accessed by people who are blind or have vision loss?
The online questionnaire has been designed to comply with the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines to ensure that it is accessible to respondents using assistive technologies.
The questionnaire can be completed online in English or French using screen reader and screen magnification software. It is also compatible with supported braille displays.
Is the 2024 Census Test questionnaire available in languages other than English and French?
The 2024 Census Test questionnaires are available only in English and French. The 2026 census questions will be available in many other languages, including Indigenous languages.
What help is available for people who do not understand English or French?
People who do not understand English or French can call the Census Help Line at 1‑833‑835‑2024. They can provide their phone number and the language in which they need help.
Census employees who speak languages other than English and French are available to help. It is not guaranteed that staff will be able to respond immediately in the requested language, but every effort will be made to provide timely assistance.
Family and community members who speak the respondent's requested language—in addition to English or French—are encouraged to help the respondent complete their questionnaire.
If a respondent does not return a questionnaire, a census employee will follow up and help them complete their questionnaire. During the follow-up, if a language barrier is noticed and another household member is unable to help, a census employee who speaks the respondent's language will contact the household. Census employees carry a language card to help them assist respondents who do not speak English or French.