Organisations that fail to make their ICT products and services accessible not only risk excluding certain segments of the population, but they also potentially expose themselves to breach of laws, including anti-discrimination legislation.
In this article Clayton Utz Sydney Partner Ken Saurajen and Special Counsel Monique Azzopardi outline why it is vital companies make their ICT products and services accessible, including for people living with a disability and how to avoid individuals bringing a discrimination claim against them.
An ICT product and service that is accessible is important for everyone and essential for those who may not be able to receive a service without the accessibility component or feature.
Organisations that fail to make their ICT products and services accessible not only risk excluding certain segments of the population, but they also potentially expose themselves to breach of laws, including anti-discrimination legislation.
Technology has the potential to make life easier and more efficient. However, it is important that technologies are developed and deployed so that they are inclusive and do not potentially exclude or limit an end-user from using and interacting with an ICT product or service. The failure of entities to make their ICT products and services accessible may result in an individual bringing a discrimination claim against them.
To be inclusive ICT products and services should be accessible, including for people living with a disability (such as hearing loss, vision impairment, a physical disorder or cognitive impairment).
How can ICT be made more accessible?
There are multiple ways in which technologies can be made more accessible. Some examples are below:
- If textual information is presented (for instance, on a website), users should be able to enlarge the text without any loss of content or functionality.
- Where ICT provides visual modes of operation, the ICT can be accessed without vision (for example, via screen readers).
- Information conveyed by colour differences (for example, a colour-coded bar graph) should also be conveyed in text.
- Website content should be both “readable” (for example, not overcrowded, avoiding small font sizes and containing meaningful headings) and understandable. Avoid jargon.
- Have regard to the needs of those with restricted mobility (such as wheelchair users) in the location and positioning of ICT products (for example, the location of hardware or computer screen).
Key takeaway
Organisations that fail to make their ICT products and services accessible not only risk excluding certain segments of the population, but they also potentially expose themselves to breach of laws, including anti-discrimination legislation.
An ICT product and service that is accessible is important for everyone and essential for those who may not be able to receive a service without the accessibility component or feature.
- Read the full article HERE for more information on what ICT vendors and their customers can do.
WOBChat: Disabilities & Boards |
Wednesday 19 October, 5pm-6pm AEDT
A number of studies have found that having a diverse Board can also bring about better organisational performance – both financial and non-financial. Diversity makes for better governance – and better governance inevitably means better results.
People with disabilities are great for Boards — they bring knowledge about how to make services, organisations and communities accessible to everyone.
At this online WOBChat event hear from WOB members Nadia Moffatt OAM and Roberta Wright and about their challenges as we open the discussion on how your Board can be more inclusive of people with disabilities.
REGISTER HERE
Listen to Roberta's conversation with Claire Braund in 'The Day My Life Turned Upside Down' HERE
Hear Nadia talk about 'Overcoming Challenges and Leading by Example' in this WOB podcast episode HERE
NOTE: WOBChat is a free virtual event for Full, Corporate and Premium Members. Not a Full Member? UPGRADE for access to WOBChat, discounted workshops, member-only resources and more.