WebAIM - Web Accessibility In Mind

E-mail List Archives

Re: WCAG and various Laws

for

From: Vicki Stanton
Date: Mar 29, 2010 10:21PM

Hi Geof,

On 30/03/2010, at 6:56 AM, Webb, KerryA wrote:
> This is from the Australian Human Rights Commission's site:
>
> Until we are in a position to make comprehensive recommendations for the
> implementation of WCAG 2.0, our referenced benchmark for website
> accessibility continues to be WCAG 1.0, with Level AA of WCAG 1.0 being
> the minimum conformance level that we recommend.
>
> (almost a year old)

The Australian Human Rights Commission has embraced WCAG 2.0 and government agencies must conform by 2015:

http://www.financeminister.gov.au/media/2010/mr_052010_joint.html

However, that news release doesn't say to what degree conformance will be required.

The "World Wide Web Access: Disability Discrimination Act Advisory Notes" (http://www.hreoc.gov.au/disability_rights/standards/www_3/www_3.html) do say, however, that under the Disability Discrimination Act 1994:

"Equal access for people with a disability in this area is required by the DDA where it can reasonably be provided. This requirement applies to any individual or organisation developing a Worldwide Web page in Australia, or placing or maintaining a Web page on an Australian server."

So it's not just government agencies that have to provide accessible websites - it's everyone - as long as it can be "reasonably provided".

HTH,

Vicki. :-)

--
Vicki Stanton
http://www.nvworx.com