Legal Information on the web – Éducaloi
Sarah Dougherty, Website Content Manager, Éducaloi
To reach as many people as possible, Éducaloi has prioritised the use of the internet to deliver legal information.
Éducaloi aims to simplify legal information and the videos are produced with this in mind – using everyday language. The videos are skillfully produced: many are quite short and information is delivered in a straightforward and often amusing way. The ability to easily update the information is another benefit.
View an example of one of their videos about Canadian rules on sick leave from work.
To see the full range of videos, visit Éducaloi on YouTube
The videos deal with subjects that are for a general audience, such as the validity of contracts made by email. Many videos adopt a format where a frequently asked question is asked. The information in the video then seeks to provide an answer. For example, the video ‘No money to pay a fine’, answers the question, ‘What if you receive a parking or speeding ticket or a statement of offence and you do not have the money to pay the fine? What can be done?’
Video production
Presenters in all the videos are Éducaloi employees. Initially, the videos were produced in-house, but they now work with a professional producer.
Sarah Dougherty Éducaloi's website content manager stars in several videos. She gives us a rare insight into the experience of video making:
'I have been interviewed on camera before, but have never had to present to a camera. The challenge is to connect with the audience when you are staring at a dark camera lens. Also, trying to remember a script, deal with props and action, and stay relaxed is like trying to pat your head and rub your stomach at the same time. In the more recent ones, I am much more animated than in the first ones, which is good.'
Éducaloi finances the cost of producing a video either from their core funding, or as part of a specific project. They estimate that if they can film three videos in one day, the production costs are around $3,700 Canadian dollars for each one. This includes Éducaloi's human resources, outside producer fees, studio time and incidentals.
One of their recent projects to provide information about charities has funding from the Canada Revenue Agency. The grant included funds to pay for a series of videos on Éducaloi TV as well as other resources.
The videos are popular and statistics reveal that since 2009, nearly 10,000 people viewed the videos on YouTube. A 'second generation' of videos are now planned which will be shorter and deal with even more discreet questions.
Read our 60 second interview with Sarah Dougherty, Éducaloi's web content manager here.
Éducaloi
Neutrality – Rigour – Creativity – Collaboration
Éducaloi, based in Quebec in Canada is a non-profit organisation set up to inform its citizens about their rights and obligations. Information is provided to help Quebecers solve a legal issue or prevent legal problems from arising. Their first language is French, but they also make its information available in English.
Éducaloi encourages greater awareness of the law by ensuring a better understanding of the justice system; demystifies the role of different actors in the legal world; and raises awareness among various social players and the general public about the importance of the law in everyday life. It also participates in civic education initiatives designed for children and teenagers. Their excellent Youth Zone includes games and comics including an animated cartoon as well as easy to access information on rights and obligations, an ABC of the law and classroom resources for students and teachers.
Every year, Éducaloi carries out new public legal education projects and collaborates with organisations who share its commitment to improving access to justice. This means that Éducaloi's range of subjects is widened as additional funding is found to support their various projects.
More about Éducaloi
Type your comment
* indicates a required field.