Press Releases

Bayshore Home Health makes its website more accessible to the elderly and people with disabilities

– Free online application provides easier website access –

Mississauga, ON, February 24,, 2011 –Bayshore Home Health, Canada's largest provider of home and community health services, is making its website (bayshore.ca) more accessible to people who have difficulty typing, moving a mouse or reading a web page. The company is incorporating a new web-based application called "eSSENTIAL Accessibility" that makes it easier for people with physical disabilities to access its online information.

"This new application helps bring online resources to a more diverse audience," says Mike Krunic, director of marketing at Bayshore Home Health. "It makes home health care information available to the people who need it the most, including seniors and individuals with disabilities."

The eSSENTIAL Accessibility application is identified by a blue wheelchair and keyboard icon that instantly makes online environments fully accessible to individuals with physical limitations. Anyone who has difficulty navigating the web simply clicks on the icon. They are redirected to essentialaccessibility.com where they download the assistive technology free of charge. The software can be easily installed on a standard PC.

With more than 12% of the Canadian population classified as disabled, there are many individuals with dexterity limitations that arise from a variety of conditions including stroke or paralysis, arthritis, multiple sclerosis, cerebral palsy and age-related factors. The eSSENTIAL Accessibility application features a variety of keyboard and mouse replacement solutions that offer alternative input methods, including a webcam hands-free movement tracking system.

It also has a web page reader to help people who have trouble reading because of literacy deficiencies, mild visual impairment, limited English proficiency and dyslexia or similar learning issues.

"Bayshore Home Health is committed to helping people across Canada live comfortably in their own homes, preserving their independence and dignity while enhancing their quality of life," adds Krunic. "This new online tool provides endless possibilities to promote independence with as many Canadians as possible."

About eSSENTIAL Accessibility

eSSENTIAL Accessibility Inc. is the provider of a software-based service that makes online environments instantly accessible to individuals with physical disabilities. The solution, eSSENTIAL Accessibility, is a Community e-Involvement application that helps individuals with physical disabilities, dexterity limitations, literacy deficiencies or mild visual impairment. For more information visit www.essentialaccessibility.com.

About Bayshore Home Health

Bayshore Home Health has been enhancing the quality of life, dignity and independence of Canadians in their homes since 1966. Canadian owned and operated, it is the country's largest provider of home and community health care services, with more than 50 home care offices and 20 community care clinics. Its core services are in-home nursing, personal care and home support – which can be purchased directly by individuals and also accessed through government care programs, personal and group insurance plans and workplace safety insurance. The company also provides nurse/caregiver staffing services, health education programs and treatments in its community dialysis centres. Through its subsidiary, Bayshore Specialty Rx, it offers specialty pharmacy, infusion clinic and pharmaceutical support services to a variety of health care and pharmaceutical organizations.

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www.bayshore.ca