Automatic language translation
Our website uses an automatic service to translate our content into different languages. These translations should be used as a guide only. See our Accessibility page for further information.
This accessibility for digital communications policy commits the Department of Communities and Justice (DCJ) to existing legislated and other applicable standards.
The purpose of this policy is to ensure the department’s digital communications:
This policy provides a framework for ensuring that DCJ digital content is accessible.
Accessibility is an essential feature of all digital content produced by government bodies. People may not have a choice when using a public sector website or mobile app, so it’s important that they work for everyone. Accessible digital communication ensures everyone has the same access and opportunity to:
The NSW Government’s Circular on Website Management encourages the agencies to streamline their websites and apply NSW Design System to ensure a consistent user experience. The Design Standard provides the minimum expectations for delivering a product or service, and the supporting guidance on how to meet these minimum expectations (for example: how to meet Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) 2.1 at an AA level).
The Digital Transformation Agency strongly encourages all Australian, state and territory government websites to meet WCAG 2.1 Level AA to provide a more accessible experience to all users of the online channels.
DCJ will ensure the digital communications are accessible and inclusive of all users regardless of their ability and environment.
Our users include people:
and/or any combination of these.
Term |
Definition |
---|---|
Assistive technology |
Assistive devices and technologies help to maintain or improve an individual’s functioning, independence, community participation and overall well-being. For example: use of wheelchairs, prostheses, hearings aids, visual aids, and specialised computer software and hardware that increase mobility, hearing, vision, or communication capacities. |
Digital Content |
Digital content is the information you see on a web page, in a web application or in an email. It may include for example, diagrams, maps, graphs, dashboard, photo, graphics, a piece of written text, a form you need to fill in, audio content, video content and or a combination of any of these. |
Disability |
Under the Disability Inclusion Act 2014 (NSW), “disability" relates to a person’s experience. It describes a long-term physical, psychiatric, intellectual or sensory impairment that, in interaction with various barriers, may hinder a person’s ability to participate in the community on an equal basis with others. |
Easy Read |
Easy Read combines text with layout and imagery to simplify and explain information. |
ICT |
Information Communications and Technology |
Plain English |
Plain English is a set of writing principles that guide people who write as part of their everyday work. Plain English guidelines recommend keeping sentences short, use of active voice, avoid slang, to write with the reader in mind and with the right tone of voice, that is clear and concise. |
Social Media |
Websites and computer programs that allow people to communicate and share |
User |
A user is a person who uses something such as a place, facility, product, or machine. In this document, user/users refer to public users and DCJ employees. |
WCAG |
The Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) are internationally recognised and give a universal standard for web content accessibility. WCAG 2.1 is based on four design principles: content should be perceivable, operable, understandable and robust. By focusing on principles, not technology, the guidelines emphasise the need to think about the different ways people interact with content. The three levels of WCAG compliance include A (minimal), AA (acceptable) and AAA (optimal). |
Web page |
A page of information on the internet about a particular subject, that forms a part of a website. |
This policy applies to digital content on all DCJ websites, applications, tools, and platforms, including:
DCJ will:
It is mandatory for all digital content and applications to:
It is also essential that consideration be given to providing content in:
Business areas are responsible for deciding if content requires translation and/or Easy Read format.
The risks of inaccessible digital experience include:
and/or any combination of these.
The Disability Discrimination Act 1992 (Commonwealth) requires government agencies to give information and services in a non-discriminatory and accessible way. This ensures people with disability have the same basic rights as other people in the community.
In 2008, the federal government ratified the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities. Articles 9 and 21 of the convention recognise that having equal access to information, communications and services, including on the internet, is a human right.
The Disability Inclusion Act 2014 (NSW) makes it clear that people with disability have the right to access information from government agencies in a way that is appropriate for their disability and cultural background, and enables them to make informed choices.
The Multicultural NSW Act 2000 (NSW) specifies the need to respect and make provision for the culture, language and religion of others within an Australian legal and institutional framework. NSW Government policy is that the NSW Government agencies fund the provision of language services (that is, interpreters and translated materials) when dealing with clients, in order to provide all clients with access to Government services.
are required to comply with the Accessibility for Digital Communications Policy.
will ensure vendors are made aware of and comply with the Accessibility for Digital Communications Policy and that the content made available on third party applications complies with the policy.
Version: 1.0
Due for review: August 2022
20 May 2022
We acknowledge Aboriginal people as the First Nations Peoples of NSW and pay our respects to Elders past, present, and future.
Informed by lessons of the past, Department of Communities and Justice is improving how we work with Aboriginal people and communities. We listen and learn from the knowledge, strength and resilience of Stolen Generations Survivors, Aboriginal Elders and Aboriginal communities.
You can access our apology to the Stolen Generations.