Directorate: Online Engagement, Communications
Division: Corporate Services
Project summary
The new Accessibility for Digital Communications Policy applies to any content created and shared online through DCJ websites and intranets.
Focus Area:
- Developing positive community attitudes and behaviours
- Improving access to mainstream services through better systems and processes
Project objective
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.
The purpose of this project is to create an implementation plan for the rollout of the DCJ Accessibility for Digital Communications Policy. The policy will ensure the department’s digital communications:
- are accessible and inclusive of all users regardless of their ability and environment
- meet the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) 2.1 Level AA standard
- comply with legislative requirements under the Disability Discrimination Act 1992 and the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities
- comply with Government accessibility standards for ICT
- align with the DCJ Disability Inclusion Action Plan 2020 - 2024, ensuring that people with disability are aware of, and can use information services and programs.
Online Engagement will create an education program to inform the staff about their responsibilities related to policy compliance requirements, including:
- eLearning modules to inform staff about the accessibility for digital communications requirements
- eLearning modules on how to make document formats (word, pdf, excel) accessible
- face-to-face training for digital content writers and publishers
- fact sheets, frequently asked questions and checklists.
The challenge
DCJ inherited two policies on accessibility for digital communications from former Families and Community Services (FACS) and Justice. The new policy harmonises the content from the former FACS and Justice policies. It consolidates DCJ’s commitments to providing an accessible digital experience to all users (internal and external).
The new policy includes a clearer outline of roles and responsibilities, associated legislation and guidance on meeting the accessibility compliance requirements.
Why is this important?
Implementing the Accessibility for Digital Communications Policy will:
- ensure DCJ digital content and services are accessible and inclusive of all users regardless of their ability and environment
- ensure DCJ complies with Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) 2.1 level AA standards and Government accessibility standards for ICT
- reduce the risk of complaints under the Disability Discrimination Act 1992 or the Anti-Discrimination Act 1977
- improve trust in the reliability of DCJ digital content and therefore the DCJ brand
- increase the productivity of DCJ staff members because accessible documents take less time to read and comprehend
- reduce the risk of adverse findings following an audit by the NSW Auditor-General or complaints from peak bodies and the public
- supporting an inclusive culture for staff by including people with:
- permanent or temporary disability such as and not limited to blindness and low vision, learning disabilities, cognitive limitations, limited movement, speech disabilities, photosensitivity, neurological disability, auditory disability
- changing abilities because of ageing
- device limitations such as devices with images or audio disabled
- lower literacy
- diverse language backgrounds
- restricted bandwidth to download large media content files
- with reasonable adjustments at DCJ workplace to access digital communications.
and/or any combination of these.
Planned actions
Phase 1
- Approval of ‘Accessibility for Digital Communications’ policy.
- Establish education program to train staff.
- Inform staff through change communications activities.
Phase 2
- Audit DCJ websites and intranet to establish scope of work.
- Finalise implementation plan for rolling out the education program.
- Engage resources to deliver education program.
Phase 3
- Establish governance framework to help ensure business areas are accountable for maintaining accessibility on their digital assets.
Phase 4
- Include training on accessibility compliance as part of an induction program for all staff (similar to that of code of ethics, cyber security training etc).
- Establish ongoing governance groups at division level for managing the product roadmap.
Summary of key stages
Status report
Current Status: Complete
Date: 2022
This initiative has been divided into several initiatives.
Date: August 2021
Status Notes: Online engagement team has sought a quote to create an Easy English version to circulate with the policy when it is issued for wider consultation. Plan for wider consultation in June 2021.
Status Explanatory Note:
