Notice #929 – Accessibility updates to the RESP transfer form and the ESDC application form (for beneficiaries under age 18)
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Information bulletin
Number: CESP/PCEE-2021/22-009-929
Date: December 22, 2021
Subject: Accessibility updates to the RESP transfer form and the ESDC application form (for beneficiaries under age 18)
Previous bulletins
Purpose
To provide promoters with the ESDC forms requiring updates for accessibility.
Background
ESDC is committed to providing a high level of Web accessibility across its websites and Web applications. For that reason, ESDC updated the RESP transfer form and the ESDC application form (for beneficiaries under age 18) to comply with evolving standards for Web accessibility.
There is no impact to the other published ESDC forms.
What the changes include
The changes include:
- updating the TTY number in the "Contact Us" section
- changing square radio buttons to round circles
- adding the format for Social Insurance Number (SIN), telephone and fax fields
- updating validation and pop-up messages for SIN, telephone and fax fields
- adding a header row to a table in Annex 1 of the transfer form
- aligning the CLB definition with the definition on the CLB application for adult beneficiaries
- changing the version date to 2021‑09
Mandatory use date
ESDC encourages promoters to use the updated forms to provide a higher level of Web accessibility to their clients. However, we also recognize the impacts to promoters following form updates.
These new forms will have an extended implementation period. They will not become mandatory until January 1, 2023. Prior to this date, promoters may use the 2 different version dates.
These forms are available online at Canada.ca/RESPresources. Click on the Forms tab to access it.
Unlocked forms
Promoters may contact ESDC to request unlocked versions of the ESDC application and transfer forms to pre-fill some of the fields. This includes, for example, the following fields:
- RESP provider
- RESP contract number
- subscriber names
- beneficiary information
However, client options must not be pre-selected. Client options include checkboxes and/or fields that require a client decision or attestation, signatures and signature dates.
To assist with properly completing information and to reduce errors, promoters may also add logic to fillable fields of the transfer form.
In order to receive the unlocked forms, the following conditions will also apply:
- completed unlocked forms shall not be made available to clients electronically, and
- text, content, format and layout must remain identical to the approved published version(s) on ESDC’s website
Proper use of ESDC forms may be verified during a compliance review.
Contact us
If you have any questions regarding this notice, please contact us:
- by using our online contact page
- by telephone at 1-888-276-3624
- by e-mail at cesp-pcee@hrsdc-rhdcc.gc.ca
Our business hours are from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Eastern Time.