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People with Disabilities

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The Australian Government is committed to ensuring that all Australians benefit from the information economy, including people with disabilities. The Department of Communications, Information Technology and the Arts (DCITA) has been heavily involved over recent years in ensuring that people with disabilities have access to online information and communication services. The Department retains an interest in ensuring that the online environment remains accessible to all Australians.

Accessibility standards for web and online content

The globally recognised standard for web content accessibility is the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines, which were devised by the World Wide Web Consortium (W3C). The W3C standards are the baseline standard that best practice in accessibility is assessed against in the public and private sector.

Human Rights and Equal Opportunity Commission has responsibility for ensuring the accessibility of web site content, under the provisions of the Disability Discrimination Act 1992. HREOC has a range of guidelines and standards that represent best practice in web design and also define Australian legal requirements in relation to web accessibility.

All Australian web developers should be familiar with the following document from Human Rights and Equal Opportunity Commission's: World Wide Web Access: Disability Discrimination Act Advisory Notes.

Contact details

Disability Policy Section
The Department of Communications, Information Technology and the Arts
Ph. [+61] 02 6271 1862
Fax: [+61] 02 6271 1850

Manager, Community Connectivity
The Department of Communications, Information Technology and the Arts

People with Disabilities

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