Every year, Global Accessibility Awareness Day (GAAD) is a great reminder that digital accessibility is not just a nice-to-have; it's a global must-have. With approximately one billion people worldwide living with a disability and more and more essential services being online, the need to remove digital barriers has never been more pressing.
One of the key drivers of change globally has been the adoption of specific digital accessibility laws, regulation and policy. These approaches aim to break down barriers by setting standards and guidelines for designing websites, applications, and digital content that are accessible to everybody.
Globally, there are a couple of key frameworks guiding this approach:
- The United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (which currently has 164 signatories, including Australia).
- The Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG), developed by the World Wide Web Consortium (W3C). Check out our blog post on WCAG 2.2 to learn more about the standards and their impact on accessibility.
According to W3C’s list of Web Accessibility Laws & Policies, there are around 28 countries with specific references to digital accessibility built into legislation and quite a few others with specific mandatory policy requirements. It’s a long list so we’ve just summarised some of the big ones.
Legislative measures around the world
In Europe, directives like the European Accessibility Act 2019 and EN 301 549 set the standard for digital accessibility, mandating compliance with WCAG . There are lots of countries in Europe that also have specific accessibility legislation. For example, Germany's Disability Equality Act 2002 and Federal Ordinance on Barrier-Free Information Technology reflect a commitment to accessibility, with laws like the Barrier-Free Reinforcement Act 2002 reinforcing the call for inclusive design.
In the United Kingdom, the Equality Act of 2010 and Public Sector Bodies Accessibility Regulations 2018 emphasise accessibility in the provision of goods and services, aligning with international standards like WCAG 2.1 AA.
Across the Atlantic, the Americans with Disabilities Act 1990 (ADA) stands as a cornerstone of accessibility legislation in the USA, ensuring that electronic technology leaves no one behind. Alongside the ADA, Section 508 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 requires accessibility standards for federal agencies' electronic and information technology. Meanwhile, in Canada, the Accessible Canada Act 2019 highlights the nation's dedication to inclusion.
We'd also like to make a specific call out to Kenya. In May 2022, partnering with inABLE, they introduced National ICT Accessibility Standards to ensure that ICT products and services are designed to meet the needs of persons with disabilities, older individuals, and other users who benefit from accessibility features.
What’s happening in Australia?
While the Disability Discrimination Act (1992) in Australia references ensuring people with disability have equal access to information and services, it does not specifically reference digital accessibility. The Australian Human Rights Commission is currently working on updating guidance clarifying that discrimination requirements apply to digital accessibility issues in the same way as physical accessibility issues, and there were clear recommendations about digital accessibility from the Disability Royal Commission in 2023.
The Federal Government’s Digital Transformation Agency has accessibility in its delivery standards, and there are similar approaches in Queensland, Victoria, South Australia and Western Australia.
A shared journey
Global Accessibility Awareness Day reminds us that while there's still work to be done, the progress made in recent years is a testament to the power of advocacy, legislation, and education. By learning from each other's successes, we can continue to work together to create a more inclusive digital landscape where everyone can engage, contribute, and thrive.
Visit the Accessibility and Inclusivity Toolkit to learn more about making your work accessible in NSW.