Website Compliance Archives

There are several commercial advantages to having digital products and services that are web accessible:

Increased reach: By making your digital products and services accessible to people with disabilities, you can increase the reach of your products and services to a wider audience. This can lead to increased customer base, sales, and revenue.

Improved user experience: Web accessibility can improve the user experience for all users, not just those with disabilities. This can lead to increased customer satisfaction, loyalty, and positive word-of-mouth.

Cost savings: Making your digital products and services accessible from the start can save you time and money in the long run. If you have to retrofit your products and services to make them accessible, it can be costly and time-consuming.

Legal compliance: As mentioned earlier, there are laws in Australia that require organisations to make their websites and other online content accessible to people with disabilities. By making your digital products and services accessible, you can avoid legal action and potential fines.

Reputation: By making your digital products and services accessible, you can demonstrate your commitment to inclusivity and equal access. This can improve your organisation’s reputation and potentially attract new customers and partners.

In Australia, there are several laws that require organisations to make their websites and other online content accessible to people with disabilities. These laws include the Disability Discrimination Act 1992 (DDA) and the Australian Human Rights Commission Act 1986 (AHRCA).

Under the DDA, it is unlawful to discriminate against people with disabilities in the areas of work, education, and the provision of goods, services, and facilities. This includes the provision of online content and services. The AHRCA establishes the Australian Human Rights Commission, which has the power to investigate and conciliate complaints of discrimination, including complaints related to web accessibility.

Organisations that fail to make their websites and other online content accessible to people with disabilities may face legal action, including complaints to the Australian Human Rights Commission and legal proceedings in the Federal Court or Federal Circuit Court.

In addition to the legal risks, organisations may also face reputational risks if they are seen as not being inclusive or as not providing equal access to their online content and services. This could lead to negative publicity and damage to the organisation’s reputation.

To reduce the risk of legal action and reputational damage, it is important for organisations to ensure that their websites and other online content are designed and developed with accessibility in mind. This may involve following web accessibility guidelines and standards, such as the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG), and conducting regular testing and evaluation to ensure that the content remains accessible.