Legal stuff

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Last updated in September 2021:

The legal framework for web accessibility in Australia is primarily governed by the Disability Discrimination Act 1992 (DDA) and the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) 2.0. Here are the key points to understand:

The DDA is the primary legislation in Australia that addresses disability discrimination. It makes it unlawful to discriminate against individuals based on their disability in various areas, including goods and services, employment, education, and access to public places. Websites and digital content fall under the category of "goods and services," and as such, they are subject to the provisions of the DDA.

UPDATE: WCAG 2.2 Update - Now Released

The WCAG 2.2 is a set of international guidelines developed by the Web Accessibility Initiative (WAI) of the World Wide Web Consortium (W3C). These guidelines provide a framework for making web content more accessible to people with disabilities. Although not explicitly mandated by law in Australia, the WCAG 2.0 is considered a standard for web accessibility best practices.

The AHRC is responsible for handling complaints related to disability discrimination under the DDA. If someone believes a website or digital content is not accessible and is causing discrimination, they can file a complaint with the AHRC.

Failure to comply with the DDA's accessibility requirements can result in complaints, investigations, and legal consequences. If a complaint is upheld by the AHRC, the organisation or entity responsible for the inaccessible website may be required to rectify the accessibility issues and provide compensation to the affected individuals.

Australian government websites are required to comply with the Web Accessibility National Transition Strategy (NTS), which sets deadlines for achieving WCAG 2.0 conformance. Government departments and agencies are expected to ensure their websites meet accessibility standards to provide equal access to public information and services.

It's essential to note that accessibility laws and guidelines can evolve over time. While the information provided here is accurate as of September 2021, there may have been updates or changes to legislation and requirements since then. It is always best to refer to the latest sources and consult legal experts for the most up-to-date information.

Yes, the legalities and requirements for accessibility in Australia extend beyond websites and also apply to various types of documents, including electronic documents, PDFs, and other digital content. The key legislation governing accessibility in Australia is the Disability Discrimination Act 1992 (DDA).

Under the DDA, it is unlawful to discriminate against individuals based on their disability in various areas, including the provision of goods and services. Electronic documents, such as PDFs, are considered "goods and services" in this context. 

As a result, organisations and entities are required to ensure that their digital documents are accessible to people with disabilities, including individuals who use assistive technologies such as screen readers or magnification software.

To ensure compliance with accessibility laws and regulations, organisations in Australia should prioritise accessibility and strive to meet WCAG 2.0 (or the latest version) guidelines. By doing so, they not only avoid legal risks but also contribute to a more inclusive digital environment for all users.