Web Accessibility Standard

"The power of the web is in its universality. Access by everyone regardless of disability is an essential aspect."

- Tim Berners-Lee, inventor of the World Wide Web

The Web Accessibility Standard [5] focuses on improving Government website accessibility for disabled people. Accessible websites also benefit users without disabilities, as well as those using a variety of technologies to access the web. This helps the New Zealand Government to meet its obligations under the Human Rights Act 1993, the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities and directly supports the development of accessible digital services.

The Web Accessibility Standard is a mandatory requirement for Public Service and non-Public Service departments as laid out in Cabinet Minute (03) 41/2B, and is supported by a requirement for Government agencies to self-assess against the Standard. The latest assessments were completed by February 2018, and a report published on 30 November 2018 [6]. This report sets out the findings on the current state of government compliance, and the next steps of an ongoing commitment to maintaining and supporting these standards.

The all-of-government Digital Service Design Standard, approved by the Government Chief Digital Officer and launched by the Minister for Government Digital Services in July 2018, will also support and promote the Web Accessibility Standard under a new overarching service design framework. The Web Accessibility Standard is specifically referenced as a mechanism for meeting Principle 4 of the Design Standard: ‘Be inclusive and provide ethical and equitable services’. The compliance and support model for this standard was published in mid 2018. [7]

Footnotes

[5] Further information about the Web Standards can be accessed at: https://www.digital.govt.nz/standards-and-guidance/nz-government-web-standards/

For guidance on meeting the standards and assessing compliance, see: https://www.digital.govt.nz/standards-and-guidance/design-and-ux/

[6] Department of Internal Affairs (2018) 2017 Web Standards Self-Assessments Report. DIA, Wellington. https://www.digital.govt.nz/standards-and-guidance/nz-government-web-standards/web-standards-self-assessments-report/

[7] Digital Service Design Standard: https://www.digital.govt.nz/standards-and-guidance/digital-service-design-standard/

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