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Editors Draft: $Date: 2012/06/07 22:58:22 $ [Planning Updates to Policies Relating to Web Accessibility]
Status: This document is an in-progress draft and should not be referenced or quoted under any circumstances.
The referenceable version is at www.w3.org/WAI/Policy/.
Please send any updates by Submitting Updates to Policies Relating to
Web Accessibility.
[Editors' Draft update] Policies Relating to Web Accessibility
Page Contents
Introduction
This page provides a starting point for locating information on policies, laws, legislation, regulations, directives, government-related standards and guidelines related to web accessibility around the world.
A growing number of governmental policies address accessibility of information and communications technology (ICT), including websites, web applications, web browsers, and authoring tools. There is wide variation in how these are implemented, for example, some approach access to information as a human right, and some require that ICT purchased by government must be accessible. Categorization of information on this page is approximate, not definitive.
The absence of information for a given country does not necessarily indicate a lack of legislative activity in that country. We invite you to send us any known information.
Additions and Updates Welcome
This page will be updated as we learn of new information. If you know of other web accessibility policy-related information that we might want to include, or if you have corrections, we encourage you to let us know per the instructions in Submitting Updates to Policies Relating to Web Accessibility.
Disclaimer
This page is not a definitive, comprehensive resource for all policies regarding web accessibility. The information in this page is not legal advice.
Related information
- Why Standards Harmonization is Essential to Web Accessibility explains the key role that harmonization of standards plays in increasing the accessibility of the web for people with disabilities and encourages those developing policies to adopt existing international web accessibility standards.
- Developing Organizational Policies on Web Accessibility describes considerations when making simple or comprehensive policies for organizations.
- WCAG 2.0 Translations includes Authorized Translations.
Countries and Regions
- United Nations
- Australia
- Austria
- Brazil
- Canada
- Denmark
- European Union
- Finland
- France
- Germany
- Hong Kong
- India
- Ireland
- Israel
- Italy
- Japan
- Mexico
- New Zealand (WCAG 2.0)
- Portugal
- Singapore
- Spain
- Switzerland (WCAG 2.0)
- United Kingdom
- United States of America
United Nations
(Updated Month 2000)
<update notes>
Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities
@@ probably link to list of countries that have ratified
@@ maybe excerpt relevant bits &/or link to them
@@ probably for each country that has ratified, include that as a listing under that country
<end update notes>
Australia
(Updated Month 2000)
<update notes>
Web Accessibility National Transition Strategy<http://www.finance.gov.au/publications/wcag-2-implementation/index.html>
Web Guide: Accessibility for Australian Government websites<http://webpublishing.agimo.gov.au/Accessibility.html>
30 Jun 2010 - Australian Government Web Accessibility National Transition Strategy has been released today by the Minister for Finance and Deregulation<http://www.financeminister.gov.au/media/2010/mr_372010_joint.html>, Lindsay Tanner, and Parliamentary Secretary for Disabilities, Bill Shorten
Each and every State and Territory as well as the Federal Government are mandated to apply the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines version 2.0 and achieve level A conformance by the end of 2012. The Australian Government (federal) has extended this mandate and requires all government websites to conform to Level AA by the end of 2014.
I noticed that the links for Whole of Victorian Government Web Site Guidelines and Victorian Government Accessibility Toolkit are broken. Relevent Documents: Whole of Victorian Government Web Site Guidelines - http://www.dpc.vic.gov.au/wovgwebsiteguidelines%20 Victorian Government Accessibility Toolkit - http://www.egov.vic.gov.au/Victoria/StrategiesPoliciesandReports/Reports/Accessibility-Toolkit/Accessibility-Toolkit.htm%20 It seems the links have %20 append to the end of the link and I justed wanted to let you know.
http://www.bankers.asn.au/Default.aspx?ArticleID=344
http://www.visionaustralia.org.au/info.aspx?page=639#ind
Relevant Documents:
- Guide to Minimum Website Standards from The Australia Government Information Management Office (AGIMO).
- See also the Guide to Minimum Website Standards - Accessibility subsection from AGIMO.
- Better Practice Examples - Accessibility from The Australia Government Information Management Office (AGIMO).
- Information Economy - People with Disabilities from the Department of Communications, Information Technology and the Arts (DCITA).
- A Brief Guide to the [Australian] Disability Discrimination Act from the Human Rights Commission.
Note also that "Decision of HREOC in SOCOG case" can be found at http://www.humanrights.gov.au/disability_rights/decisions/comdec/2000/DD000120.htm
COUNTRY: Australia
RESPONSIBLE MINISTRY (changed in April 2004) - Ministry for Communications, Information Technology and the Arts
OBSOLETE DOCUMENT AND LINK (1):
NOIE - Better Practice - Standards - Accessibility standards home page from The National Office for the Information Economy (NOIE).
OBSOLETE DOCUMENT AND LINK (2):
NOIE - Accessibility projects home page from The National Office for the Information Economy (NOIE)
OBSOLETE DOCUMENT AND LINK(3):
Commonwealth Guide to Minimum Web Site Standards
-Updated information follows -
RELEVANT DOCUMENT 1:
Title of document in primary language (English):
The Guide to Minimum Website Standards
Link to document in primary language (English):
http://www.agimo.gov.au/practice/mws
Revised April 2003
First published: 2000
RELEVANT DOCUMENT 2:
Title of document in primary language (English):
Better Practice in Online Service Delivery
link: http://www.agimo.gov.au/practice/delivery
RELEVANT DOCUMENT 3:
Guidelines for Commonwealth Information Published in Electronic Formats
Correct link from April 2004:
http://www.agimo.gov.au/information/publishing/formats
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
On 8 April 2004, the Australian Government Information Management Office (AGIMO) was established, replacing the National Office for the Information Economy (NOIE).
Hence the ex-NOIE document names, site structure and links are now changed.
All information about government web standards now is listed on the home page of AGIMO:
http://www.agimo.gov.au/
The Information Standards page has changed locations and can now be found at... http://www.iie.qld.gov.au/site/informationstandards/current.asp
I would also like to recommend that the Queensland Government's Consistent User Experience Standards be added under Queensland. The link is... http://www.qld.gov.au/web/ There is a section in the CUE about accessibility... http://www.qld.gov.au/web/cue/doc/access/index.html
Some updates for Australian States - Queensland
Changed URL: Queensland Government Internet Information Standard (No. 26) http://www.iie.qld.gov.au/informationstandards/standards/IS26.asp
Supporting document: Consistent User Experience - Accessibility http://www.qld.gov.au/web/cue/doc/access/index.html
more:
1. NSW: Providing Information and Services Using the Internet Guideline
Was:
<a href="http://www.oit.nsw.gov.au/pages/4.3.22.a-Providing.htm">Providing
Information and Services Using the Internet Guideline</a>
Should be:
<a href="http://www.oit.nsw.gov.au/content/2.3.22-Providing.asp">Providing
Information and Services Using the Internet Guideline</a>
2. NSW: Providing Information and Services Using the Internet - Content
Accessibility
Was:
<a href="http://www.oit.nsw.gov.au/pages/4.3.22.l-Providing.htm">Providing
Information and Services Using the Internet - Content Accessibility</a>
Should be:
<a href="http://www.oit.nsw.gov.au/Guidelines/4.3.22.l-Providing.asp">Providing
Information and Services Using the Internet - Content Accessibility</a>
3. SA: South Australian State Library Policy
Was:
<a href="http://www.slsa.sa.gov.au/sac.htm">South Australian State Library
Policy</a>
Should be:
<a href="http://www.slsa.sa.gov.au/site/page.cfm?area_id=15&nav_id=569">South
Australian State Library Disability Access Policy</a>
4. Qld: Queensland Government Internet Information Standard
Was:
<a href="http://www.diiesrq.qld.gov.au/comminfo/guidelines.asp%20">Queensland
Government Internet Information Standard</a>
Should be:
<a href="http://www.iie.qld.gov.au/informationstandards/standards/IS26.asp">Queensland
Government Internet Information Standard</a>
5. Tas: Tasmanian Government Internet Publishing Standards
Was:
<a href="http://www.go.tas.gov.au/standards/tgips/tgips_complete_publication.shtml%20">Tasmanian
Government Internet Publishing Standards</a>
Should be:
<a href="http://www.go.tas.gov.au/standards/tgwps/tgwps_complete_publication.shtml">Tasmanian
Government Internet Publishing Standards</a>
6. Vic: Whole of Victorian Government Web Site Guidelines
Was:
<a href="http://www.dpc.vic.gov.au/wovgwebsiteguidelines%20">Whole of
Victorian Government Web Site Guidelines</a>
Should be:
<a href="http://www.egov.vic.gov.au/Victoria/StrategiesPoliciesandReports/Reports/Accessibility-Toolkit/Accessibility-Toolkit.htm">Whole
of Victorian Government Web Site Guidelines</a>
7. Vic: Victorian Government Accessibility Toolkit
Was:
<a href="http://www.egov.vic.gov.au/Victoria/StrategiesPoliciesandReports/Reports/Accessibility-Toolkit/Accessibility-Toolkit.htm%20">Victorian
Government Accessibility Toolkit</a>
Should be:
<a href="http://www.egov.vic.gov.au/Victoria/StrategiesPoliciesandReports/Reports/Accessibility-Toolkit/Accessibility-Toolkit.htm">Victorian
Government Accessibility Toolkit</a>
8. WA: Department of Industries and Resources
Was:
<a href="http://www.indtech.wa.gov.au/new/index.htm">Department of
Industries and Resources</a>
Should be:
<a href="http://www.doir.wa.gov.au/">Department of Industries and
Resources</a>
9. WA: WA Government E-Commerce guidelines
Was:
<a href="http://ecommercecentre.online.wa.gov.au/matrix/acc.htm%20">WA
Government E-Commerce guidelines</a>
Should be:
<a href="http://www.doir.wa.gov.au/businessandindustry/9312C0A371B84D65B65C2E0EB62B9B3B.asp">WA
Government E-Commerce guidelines</a>
10. WA: WA Guidelines for State Government web sites
Was:
<a href="http://www.indtech.wa.gov.au/govt/polguides/websites/index.htm">WA
Guidelines for State Government web sites</a>
Should be:
<a href="http://www.egov.dpc.wa.gov.au/index.cfm?fuseaction=projects.policy">WA
Guidelines for State Government web sites</a>
11. Add: WA Guidelines for State Government web sites - Accessibility
Should be:
<a href="http://www.egov.dpc.wa.gov.au/index.cfm?fuseaction=guidelines.accessibility">WA
Guidelines for State Government web sites - Accessibility</a>
<end update notes>
Legislation: Disability Discrimination Act 1992
Responsible Ministry: Attorney General's Department; Human Rights and Equal Opportunity Commission
Relevant documents:
- Human Rights and Equal Opportunity Commission (HREOC):
- The Guide to Minimum Website Standards
- Better Practice Examples - Accessibility
- A Brief Guide to the [Australian] Disability Discrimination Act from the Human Rights Commission
Additional information:
- Accessible E-Commerce in Australia: A discussion paper about the effects of electronic commerce developments on people with disabilities" by Tim Noonan, for Blind Citizens Australia
- Decision of HREOC in SOCOG case
- Digital Divide Narrows for People with Disabilities - HREOC Press Release October 2002
- Internet still covered under Australian Discrimination Law - HREOC Press Release September 2002
Austria
(Updated Month 2000)
<update notes>
http://www.austria.gv.at/site/5744/default.aspx
<end update notes>
Brazil
(Updated Month 2000)
<update notes>
Unfortunately there are no versions of these documents in English.
Legislation: http://www.planalto.gov.br/ccivil_03/_Ato2004-2006/2004/Decreto/D5296.htm
Relevant documents: http://www.inclusaodigital.gov.br/inclusao/arquivos/outros/documentos-gerais-referncias/emag-acessibilidade-de-governo-eletronico-cartilha-tecnica-v20.pdf/download
http://www.inclusaodigital.gov.br/inclusao/arquivos/outros/documentos-gerais-referncias/emag-acessibilidade-de-governo-eletronico-modelo-v20.pdf/download
<annarocha@gmail.com>
<end update notes>
Canada
(Updated Month 2000)
<update notes>
<catherine.roy@w3qc.org> sent a bunch, but they are probably way outdated by now.
The last link of item 3 under 'Relevant Documents' is now a dead link. The following may be a suitable replacement: Title: Common Look and Feel for the Internet: Accessibility http://www.cio-dpi.gc.ca/clf-nsi/inter/inter-01-tb_e.asp
<end update notes>
Legislation: Canadian Human Rights Act of 1977
Responsible Ministry: Attorney General; Canadian Human Rights Commission; Treasury Board of Canada, Secretariat
Relevant documents:
- Canadian Human Rights Act of 1977 Office Consolidation [formerly at http://www.chrc-ccdp.ca/LEGISLATION/chra-lcdp.asp?l=e]
- Common Look and Feel for the Internet
- Government of Canada Internet Guide, [French] Guide d'Internet du Gouvernement du Canada - in particular, the section on Universal Accessibility [formerly at http://www.canada.gc.ca/programs/guide/3_1_4e.html]
- Policy on the Provision of Accommodation for Employees with Disabilities, [French] Politique sur l'obligation de prendre des mesures d'adaptation pour les personnes handicapées dans la fonction publique fédérale
Denmark
(Updated Month 2000)
Legislation: -
Responsible Ministry: [Danish] Ministeriet for Videnskab, Teknologi og Udvikling (Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation)
Relevant documents:
- [Danish]
Handicap ingen hindring, 2002 (Disability, No Problem (Action
plan for use of information technologies and telecommunication by people
with disabilities))
- Action for Change: IT Policy Plan [formerly at http://www.fsk.dk/fsk/publ/1997/action97/] , 1997
- Freedom to Choose: Action Plan for IT Use by People with Disabilities [formerly at http://www.fsk.dk/fsk/publ/1997/freedom/], 1996
- [Danish] Netpublikationer - Statens standard for elektronisk publicering (Internet Publications - Standards for Electronic Publishing)
- [Danish] Rapport fra Arbejdsgruppen om tilgængelighed og grafiske brugergrænseflader, 1998 (Report from a working group on accessibility and graphical user interfaces) [formerly at http://www.fsk.dk/fsk/div/270298-2/]
Additional information:
- [Danish] Offentlige hjemmesiders tilgængelighed, 1998 (The Accessibility of Governmental Homepages, by the Equal Opportunities Center for Disabled Persons)
European Union
(Updated Month 2000)
<update notes>
the EU has another Doucment relating to the WCAG 2.0 published 31/03/2009 named
2935TH TRANSPORT, TELECOMMUNICATIONS and ENERGY Council meeting - Brussels, 30 and 31 March 2009
Documet in all EU related languages:
http://www.consilium.europa.eu/applications/search/newsDocDetails.asp?cmsid=650&dockey=107025&doclang=EN&lang=EN
related parts are filed under TELECOMMUNICATIONS (page 36):
4.d)
The adoption of the second version of the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines
(WCAG 2.0) by the World Wide Web Consortium (W3C) provides the necessary
technical specifications.
and 7. g)
Adopt, and better implement measures, to promote e-accessibility, and particularly to
implement the WCAG 2.0 guidelines. A common approach could be expressed
through a Recommendation from the Commission in order to avoid a fragmented
European market. Moreover, as WCAG 1.0 is becoming outdated a recommendation
from the Commission could avoid that some Member states still apply different
certification standards than recommended by the W3C (World Wide Web
Consortium (W3C).
<info@felixnagel.com>
EU Law and Policy http://www.disability-europe.net/theme/eu-law-and-policy
[http://europa.eu.int/information_society/activities/digital_libraries/challenges/availability/index_en.htm] >> >> [http://europa.eu.int/information_society/activities/econtentplus/index_en.htm]<end update notes>
Legislation: -
Responsible Ministry: European Commission, Information Society
Relevant documents:
- European Commission: index of accessibility documents [formerly at http://europa.eu.int/information_society/topics/citizens/accessibility/web/index_en.htm]
- European Union, Council of the European Union: Accessibility of Public Websites -- Accessibility for People with Disabilities: Council Resolution, 2002
- European Union, Economic and Social Committee: Opinion of the Economic and Social Committee, 2002
- European Union, Committee of Regions:
Opinion of the Committee of Regions, 2002
- European Parliament: eEurope 2002, Accessibility of Public Websites and their Content, 2002
- European Commission: eEurope 2002, Accessibility of Public Websites and their Content, 2001 [formerly at http://europa.eu.int/information_society/topics/citizens/accessibility/web/wai_2002/cec_com_web_wai_2001/index_en.htm]
- eEurope 2000-2001, An Information Society for All, Participation for all in the knowledge-based economy, 2001
- Text of HEART Study Horizontal European Activities in Rehabilitation Technology [formerly at: http://www.hi.se/fou/forelasning/gunnar.htm], 1993
- Europe's Information Society - Challenges: Online Availability
- Europe's Information Society - eContentplus programme
Additional information:
- Council of the European Union, "Council Conclusions on accessible information society" 31 March 2009 (pdf) states: "The adoption of the second version of the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG 2.0) by the World Wide Web Consortium (W3C) provides the necessary technical specifications." and "INVITES THE MEMBER STATES TO... Adopt, and better implement measures, to promote e-accessibility, and particularly to implement the WCAG 2.0 guidelines. A common approach could be expressed through a Recommendation from the Commission in order to avoid a fragmented European market. Moreover, as WCAG 1.0 is becoming outdated a recommendation from the Commission could avoid that some Member states still apply different certification standards than recommended by the W3C (World Wide Web Consortium (W3C).
- EC: Speech from Commissioner Erkki Liikanen on "Making Websites Accessible to People with Disabilities" [formerly at: http://europa.eu.int/information_society/topics/citizens/accessibility/web/wai_2002/cec_lkn_speech_web_wai_2001/index_en.htm]
- Draft petition for accessibility of the Internet in the European Union [formerly at http://www.acessibilidade.net/eeurope/], 1999
- Request for feedback on draft petition by Francisco Godinho of PASIG [formerly at http://www.acessibilidade.net/index_eng.html], 1999
Finland
(Updated Month 2000)
Legislation: -
Responsible Ministry: [Finnish] Sisäasiainministeriö (Ministry of the Interior), [Finnish] Julkisen hallinnon tietohallinnon neuvottelukunta (JUHTA) (Advisory Committee on Information Management in Public Administration)
Relevant documents:
- [Finnish] Julkishallinnon WWW-sivuston suunnittelun ohjeet (Instructions for the design of a Web site in public administration)
France
(Updated Month 2000)
<update notes>
Legislation :
* Article 47 de la loi n° 2005-102 du 11 février 2005 pour l’égalité des droits et des chances, la participation et la citoyenneté des personnes handicapées
http://www.legifrance.gouv.fr/affichTexte.do?cidTexte=JORFTEXT000000809647&dateTexte=#LEGIARTI000006682279
Relevant documents :
* décret n°2009-546 du 14 mai 2009
http://www.legifrance.gouv.fr/affichTexte.do?cidTexte=JORFTEXT000020616980
* Arrêté du 21 octobre 2009 relatif au référentiel général d'accessibilité pour les administrations
http://www.legifrance.gouv.fr/affichTexte.do?cidTexte=JORFTEXT000021208630
* Référentiel Général d'Accessibilité (RGAA) http://www.references.modernisation.gouv.fr/rgaa-accessibilite
Additional informations :
The online communication services of the State, local authorities and the public establishments must be accessible to the disabled people.
They have a maximum of three years to conform to the "Référentiel Général d'Accessibilité pour les Administrations" (RGAA) who ask to achieve level AA of WCAG 2.0
<aurelien.levy@temesis.com>
<end update notes>
Legislation: -
Jurisdiction: -
Relevant documents:
- [French]
Circulaire du 7 octobre 1999 relative aux
sites internet des services et des établissements publics de l'Etat,
1999 (Government circular of 7 October 1999 concerning internet sites
by state public establishments and services)
Additional information:
- Translation of extract from government circular: "People responsible for web site will particularly pay attention to provide access to information to all Internet users, notably people with disabilities, blind users, visually impaired or hearing impaired. They will find on the MTIC site [formerly at http://www.mtic.pm.gouv.fr/standards/accessibilite/] a document on this topic. They can also refer to the level 1 recommendations of the World Wide Web Consortium devoted to accessibility of Web Content which are available at the same address.
Germany (updated|confirmed Month 2000)
<update notes>
<carlos.velasco@fit.fraunhofer.de>
- "Bundesbehindertengleichstellungsgesetz BGG" (Federal Disability Equality Law)
- Barrierefreie Informationstechnik Verordnung - BITV" (Ordinance for Barrier-free Information Technology)
- Read e-mail in archive from IG mailing list
<end update notes>
Legislation: [German] Gesetz zur Gleichstellung behinderter Menschen und zur Änderung anderer Gesetze vom 27. April 2002 [PDF file] (Act on Equal Opportunities for Disabled Persons of 27 April 2002)
Responsible Ministry: [German] Bundesministerium für Gesundheit und Soziale Sicherung (BMGS) (Federal Ministry of Health and Social Security [formerly at: http://www.bmgs.bund.de/eng/gra/index.cfm])
Relevant documents:
Hong Kong
(Updated Month 2000)
Legislation: -
Responsible Ministry: -
Relevant documents: -
Additional information:
- Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) 2001 Hong Kong Digital 21 Strategy, 2001
- Building a Digitally Inclusive Society, Web Accessibility
India
(Updated Month 2000)
<update notes>
1. India does have legislation for empowering PWD passed in 1995. It does not make any references to Web accessibility. The closest reference to access to "electronic" content is in Section 27. The link to the Act is http://www.disabilitynet.org.in/legal/pwdact1995.htm
2. The responsible Ministry is: Joint Secretary, Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment Room #. 610, 'A'Wing, Shastri Bhawan, New Delhi (India)
3. The references presently shown on the Web page for India for two states Maharashtra and Karnataka only talk about right to public documents. These legislation do not identify special needs of PWD or provision of accommodation. They do not relate to e-gov or accessibility and I believe are incorrect references on the EO Web page.
<sailesh.panchang@deque.com>
<end update notes>
Legislation: -
Responsible Ministry: -
Relevant documents:
Additional information:
Ireland
(Updated Month 2000)
<draft update notes>
Irish document "Recommended Guidelines for Public Sector Organizations" with a link to its former address. The document now resides at: http://www.taoiseach.gov.ie/index.asp?locID=181&docID=259.<end update notes>
Legislation: The Disability Act, 2005 [PDF file]; The Equal Status Act, 2000; The Employment Equality Act, 1998
Responsible Ministry: Department of the Taioseach and Government Information Services
Relevant documents:
- New Connections, March 2002
- Recommended Guidelines for Public Sector Organizations [formerly at http://www.irlgov.ie/taoiseach/publication/webpg/guidelines.htm]
- Programme for Prosperity and Fairness, Feb 2000
Additional information:
- Taioseach Launches New Guidelines for User Friendly Public Sector Web Sites [formerly at http://www.irlgov.ie/taoiseach/press/current/16-11-99.htm]
Israel
(Updated Month 2000)
Legislation: [Hebrew] חוק שוויון זכויות לאנשים עם מוגבלות, התשנ"ח - 1998 (The Equal Rights for People with Disabilities Law 5758-1998 [DOC File])
Responsible ministry: [Hebrew] נציבות שוויון לאנשים עם מוגבלות (Commission for Equal Rights for People with Disabilities)
Relevant documents:
Italy
(Updated Month 2000)
<draft update notes>
In an e-mail: English Version of the italian law on accessibility of public Web sites and information technology Draft version of guidelines for web content in Italian
Non official draft version in English :requirements for different accessibility levels and technical methodologies for verifying websites' accessibility
Need to compare following links to links in Italy section:
http://www.camera.it/parlam/leggi/04004l.htm; http://www.innovazione.gov.it/ita/intervento/normativa/allegati/disegno_Stanca_disabili.pdf; http://www.pubbliaccesso.it/index.htm
<end update notes>
Legislation: [Italian] Legge Stanca - "Disposizioni per favorire l'accesso dei soggetti disabili agli strumenti informatici", January 2004 (Provisions to support the access to information technologies for the disabled)
Responsible ministry: -
Relevant documents:
- Directive of the Government of Italy regarding Web Accessibility [formerly at http://www.governo.it/sez_dossier/linee_web/direttiva.html]
Additional information:
- [Italian] Atto Camera 3486: Norme per il diritto di accesso ai servizi e alle risorse telematiche pubbliche e di pubblica utilita' da parte dei cittadini diversamente abili (Chamber of Deputy Act nr. 3486: Norms for the right to access to the services and the resource of public administrations and public utilities for people with disabilities)
Japan
(Updated Month 2000)
Legislation: -
Responsible Ministry: Ministry of Public Management, Home Affairs, Posts and Telecommunications
Relevant documents:
- e-Japan Priority Policy Program, 2001
- Press release mentioning Web accessibility from Ministry of Post and Telecommunications [formerly at http://www.mpt.go.jp/pressrelease/japanese/tsusin/000523j501.html]
- Press release:
Toward Diffusion of Websites with Excellent Accessibility Verification
experiments for the diffusion of websites with excellent accessibility
for the elderly and people with disabilities
Additional information:
- The Role of Universal Design: Closing the Gap of Digital
Divide in Japan [PDF file]
Mexico (updated|confirmed Month 2000)
<update notes>
http://www.uaweb.org.mx/content/view/61/79/lang,es/ and it is called: Primer Manifiesto de Usabilidad y Accesibilidad para Portales Gubernamentales Mexicanos <ghporras@gmail.com><end update notes>
New Zealand (updated|confirmed Month 2000)
Legislation: The Human Rights Act 1993; Human Rights Amendment Act 2001
Responsible Ministry: State Services Commission; Government Information System Managers' Forum (GOVIS)
<update notes>
Legislation: Human Rights Act 1993 and Human Rights Amendment Act 2001
Responsible Ministry:
Human
Rights Commission
(also
State Services
Commission and
Government Information System Managers'
Forum (GOVIS) for Government website guidelines)
Relevant documents:
- New Zealand Government Web Guidelines Version 2.1 - published December 2002; revised February 2004
Relevant documents:
- New Zealand Government Web Standards 2.0, March 2009
Additional information:
- New Zealand Government Web Standards 2.0, March 2009, states:
Agency sites must meet all WCAG 2.0 success criteria, level AA (including level A).
Title of document in primary language(s): NZ Disability Strategy
Link to document in primary language(s):
http://www.odi.govt.nz/nzds/index.html
Title of document in Engish and other language(s):
Link to document in Engish and other language(s):
Clearly indicate if this is a new listing, or which current listing
it revises: new
The year the document was published and revised: April 2001
Section to list the document: Relevant documents (for official
government documents)
A very brief summary of the document and the relevant sections on
Web accessibility, in English.
"The NZ Disability Strategy: Making a World of Difference -
Whakanui Oranga is vital to the well-being of the one-in-five New
Zealanders who identify that they have a long-term impairment. By
implementing the NZ Disability Strategy, New Zealand will become a
more inclusive society, eliminating the barriers to people with
disabilities participating in and contributing to society."
Additions to Ministry:
Office of Disability Issues (http://www.odi.govt.nz/)
Human Rights Commission (http://www.hrc.co.nz/)
Additions to Legislation:
Human Rights Act 1993 (http://www.hrc.co.nz/index.php?p=308)
"
The Human Rights Act protects New Zealanders from unlawful discrimination in a number of
areas of life. The Human Rights Amendment Act 2001 made significant changes to the Human
Rights Act 1993
<end update notes>
Portugal
(Updated Month 2000)
Legislation: [Portuguese version formerly at http://www.mct.pt/novo/legislacao/despachos/cneinter.htm], 1999 ( Resolution of the Council of Ministers Concerning the Accessibility of Public Administration Web Sites for Citizens with Special Needs)
Responsible Ministry: -
Relevant documents:
- [Portuguese] Comissão de Assuntos Constitucionais, Direitos, Liberdades e Garantias Petição pela Acessibilidade da Internet Portuguesa, 1999 (Report and Resolution of the Portuguese Parliament concerning the "Petition for the Accessibility of the Portuguese Internet")
- Phase I Accessibility Requirements for Implementation of
Resolution 97/99
Additional information:
- Links to policy documents at Portuguese Ministry of Science
and Technology [Portuguese formerly at http://www.acesso.mct.pt/doc.htm]
- [Portuguese] Proposta de alteração à legislação (Portaria nº. 989/93) - Prescrições mínimas de segurança e saúde respeitantes ao trabalho com equipamentos dotados de visor (Discussion of amendments to Health and Safety (Display Screen Equipment) Regulations law)
Singapore
(Updated Month 2000)
<update notes>
Legislation: no legislation yet.
Responsible Ministry: Ministry of finance
Relevant document: Connecting Citizens' (link to a PDF in English) New document, published: 15 July 2003
(Previous e-Government brochures:2000: Managing for ExcellenceBoth can be found from the same link.)
Additional information: User-friendly brochure; contains the e-Government Action Plan II (2003-2006); Quote: Increasing Awareness of & Convenient Access to e-Services - - - - - - - - -- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -- - - - - - - Convenient access must be provided to anyone who wants to transact online with the Singapore Government. Those without access to a computer can go to public libraries, supermarkets and community centres to get online there. We are also collaborating with grassroots organisations and private companies to facilitate access to government e-services will be identified and enhanced in accordance with the World Wide Web Consortium (W3C) Accessibility Guidelines."
Relevant document 2: Speech by Deputy Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong at the Launch of the e-Government Action Plan II, Raffles City Convention Centre, 15 JULY 2003, 3.00PM
Speech summarises the Action Plan.
LEGISLATION-
RESPONSIBLE MINISTRY - Ministry of Finance
RELEVANT DOCUMENT 1
Title of document in primary language (English):
e-Government Brochure 2003: 'e- Government: Delighting Customers,
Connecting Citizens'
Link to document in primary language (English):
http://www.egov.gov.sg/comms_materials.htm
(link to a PDF in English)
New document, published: 15 July 2003
(Previous e-Government brochures:
2001: Accelerating, Transforming, Integrating Public Services
2000: Managing for Excellence
Both can be found from the same link.)
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
User-friendly brochure; contains the e-Government Action Plan II
(2003-2006); Quote:
Increasing Awareness of & Convenient Access to e-Services
- - - - - - - - -- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -- - - - - - -
Convenient access must be provided to anyone who wants to transact
online with the Singapore Government. Those without access to a
computer can go to public libraries, supermarkets and community
centres to get online there. We are also collaborating with
grassroots organisations and private companies to facilitate access
to government e-services will be identified and enhanced in
accordance with the World Wide Web Consortium (W3C) Accessibility
Guidelines."
RELEVANT DOCUMENT 2
Speech by Deputy Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong at the Launch of the
e-Government Action Plan II, Raffles City Convention Centre, 15 JULY
2003, 3.00PM
Link to document in primary language (English):
http://www.egov.gov.sg/dpm_keynotes.htm
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
Speech summarises the Action Plan.
<rachel@writing.co.nz>
<end update notes>
Spain
(Updated Month 2000)
<update notes>
http://www.sidar.org/recur/direc/legis/espa.php
Legislación Española sobre Accesibilidad para la Sociedad de la Información
Spanish legislation about Information Society Accessibility. Compiled by Fundacion Sidar.
*** Update 1 ***
* Title of document in primary language(s):
[Spanish] Legislación Española sobre Accesibilidad para la Sociedad de la Información
* Link to document in primary language(s):
http://www.sidar.org/recur/direc/legis/espa.php
* Title of document in Engish and other language(s):
Spanish legislation about Information Society Accessibility.
* Link to document in Engish and other language(s):
not available
* It is a NEW listing
* Section to list the document: Additional information
* A very brief summary of the document and the relevant sections on Web accessibility, in English:
Brief highlight of the key sections of Spanish laws LSSICE (2002) and LIONDAU (2003)
*** Update 2 ***
* Title of document in primary language(s):
[Spanish] LEY 51/2003, de 2 de diciembre, de igualdad de oportunidades, no discriminación y accesibilidad universal de las personas con discapacidad (LIONDAU).
* Link to document in primary language(s):
http://www.sidar.org/recur/direc/legis/liondaupcd.pdf
* Title of document in Engish and other language(s):
LAW 51/2003, of december 2, about equal opportunities, no discrimination and universal accessibility for people with disabilities (acronym: LIONDAU)
* Link to document in Engish and other language(s):
not available
* It is a NEW listing
* Section to list the document: Legislation
* A very brief summary of the document and the relevant sections on Web accessibility, in English:
I can not translate now, sorry. Should translate this from Spanish instead:
http://www.sidar.org/recur/direc/legis/espa.php
<Rafael.Romero@uv.es>
<end update notes>
Legislation: [Spanish]
LEY 34/2002, de 11 de julio, de servicios
de la sociedad de la información y de comercio electrónico (LSSICE)
[PDF file], 2002 (LAW 34/2002, of 11 of July, services of the information
society and electronic commerce).
Accessibility addressed in [Spanish] "Quinta. Accesibilidad
para las personas con discapacidad y de edad avanzada a la información
proporcionada por medios electrónicos." ("Fifth. Accessibility for
elderly and disabled persons to information provided by electronic media") on
page 293.
Responsible Ministry: [Spanish] Ministerio de Industria Turismo y Comerico; [Spanish] Comunidades Autónomas, (Regional Governments)
Relevant documents: -
Additional information:
- [Spanish] INFO XXI: La Sociedad de la Información para todos (INFO XXI: Information Society for All) [formerly at http://www.infoxxi.es/]
- [Spanish] Legislación Española sobre Accesibilidad para la Sociedad de la Información (Spanish legislation about Information Society Accessibility)
Switzerland
(Updated Month 2000)
<update notes>
On 26 January 2010, the Federal IT Council (FITC) in Switzerland (Informatikrat des Bundes - IRB) accepted the changes to P028 Version 2.0 with unanimous consent. As a result of these changes, existing federal websites must meet WCAG 2.0 Level AA by 31 December 2010. New federal websites must meet this conformance level immediately.
Standard P028 can be downloaded from <http://www.isb.admin.ch/themen/standards/alle/03237/> (only in German).The standard itself does not copy the full text of WCAG 2.0 but only the conformance requirements; the other sections of the document are about the scope and the deadlines and contain appendices.
There is also a document with additional recommendations (zus�tzliche Empfehlungen):
* recommendations for sign language videos,
* a recommendation to use validating code (because the removal of this requirement from WCAG 2.0 is controversial according to FITC),
* a set of access keys.
The authorised German translation of WCAG 2.0 is available at:
<http://www.w3.org/Translations/WCAG20-de/>.
All the announcements that I could find about this policy are in German:
* "Berge hoch, Barrieren niedrig � Schweiz setzt WCAG 2.0 um":
<http://www.einfach-fuer-alle.de/blog/id/2563/>
* "Schweiz goes WCAG 2.0":
<http://www.bizeps.or.at/news.php?nr=11033>
* <http://www.access-for-all.ch/ch/richtlinien/gesetz-schweiz.html>
Christophe Strobbe
<end update notes>
Legislation: [French] Loi sur l’égalité pour les handicapés; [French] Ordonnance sur l’égalité pour les personnes handicapées
Responsible Ministry: [French] Bureau de l’égalité pour les handicapés (BFEH) (Federal Bureau for the Equality of People with Disabilities FBED)
Relevant documents:
Additional information:
United Kingdom
(Updated Month 2000)
<update notes>
flag up that the Disability Discrimination Act has been superseded by the Equality Act 2010
- Disability Rights Commission
(it seems this is now the Equality and Human Rights Commission - http://www.equalityhumanrights.com/)
- List of web guidelines related publications
(the only similar item I found was this archive: http://archive.cabinetoffice.gov.uk/e-government/resources/handbook/introduction.asp)
It seems the COI is now charged with the UK web guidance: http://www.coi.gov.uk/guidance.php?page=188.
URI for the Office of the e-Envoy (which no longer exists) >> >> [http://www.e-envoy.gov.uk/] >> >> has been replaced with: >> >> [http://www.cabinetoffice.gov.uk/e-government/]
Country: UK
Publisher: Disability Rights Commission Date April 2004
Title: Formal Investigation report: web accessibility
Link: http://www.drc.gov.uk/publicationsandreports/report.asp
Section: Relevant Documents (or alternatively Additional Information)
New listing
<end update notes>
Legislation:
- The Disability Discrimination Act 1995, Part III Access to Goods and Services
- Special Educational Needs and Disability Act 2001
- The Disability Discrimination Act 1995, Part IV Education
Jurisdiction: -
Relevant documents:
- Department for Education and Skills, Ministry of Equal Opportunities
- e-Government Unit
- Disability Rights Commission
- Disability Policy Division of the Department for Work and Pensions
Additional information:
- List of Web guidelines related publications
- Disability Rights Commission Formal Investigation report: web accessibility
- PAS (Publicly Available Specification) 78 Guide to Good Practice in Commissioning Accessible Websites
- The New Code of Practice to Part III of this Act [formerly at http://www.drc-gb.org/drc/InformationAndLegislation/Page331a.asp]
- Guidance notes from the Disability Rights Commission regarding The Disability Discrimination Act 1995 - Part IV Education
- DISinHE's (Disability Information Systems in Higher Education) Disability Legislation [formerly at http://www.disinhe.ac.uk/resources/topics/dda/]; questions/answers on Disability Discrimination Act [formerly at http://www.disinhe.ac.uk/resources/topics/dda/dda.asp]; Implications for Higher Education Institutions [formerly at http://www.disinhe.ac.uk/resources/topics/dda/implications.asp]; Disability Legislation and Implications for Higher Education [formerly at www.disinhe.ac.uk/resources/bulletins/bulletin.asp?id=21]
- JISC Senior Management Briefing Paper 15, Disability, Technology and Legislation: New Pressures and New Opportunities for Further and Higher Education Institutions and Staff
- Cabinet Office Press Release on Net Gain for Britain's Public Services [formerly at http://www.cabinet-office.gov.uk/1999/news/991209_services.htm]
United States of America (USA)
(Updated Month 2000)
In this section: 255 - 504 - 508 - ADA
Related old page: US States
(USA) Section 255 of the Telecommunications Act
Legislation: Telecommunications Act of 1996
Responsible Ministry: Federal Communications Commission; Access Board
Relevant documents:
- Access Board's Final Rule on Section 255: Telecommunications Act Accessibility Guidelines
- Report of the TAAC (Telecommunications Access Advisory Committee)
Additional information:
- Access Board's Section 255 FAQ
- FCC's Section 255 Information
(USA) Rehabilitation Act, Section 504
Legislation: Rehabilitation Act, Section 504 (1973)
Responsible Ministry: Department of Justice; Department of Education
Relevant documents:
- US Department of Education's Requirements For Accessible Electronic and Information Technology Design
Additional information: -
(USA) Rehabilitation Act Amendments of 1998, Section 508
Legislation: Rehabilitation Act, Section 508 (1986, amended 1992, amended 1998)
Jurisdiction: Department of Justice; Access Board; General Services Administration
Relevant documents:
- General Services Adminstration's Section 508 site on FirstGov
- Section 508
Final Rule
[formerly at http://www.access-board.gov/sec508/508standards.htm]
- Section 508 Proposed Rule: Overview to NPRM and Notice of Proposed Rulemaking text
- EITAAC Final Report (Report delivered to the Access Board by the Electronic and Information Technology Access Advisory Committee).
- Section
508 Federal Acquisition Regulations
- Section 508 Questions and Answers by the Access Board
- Department of Justice Section 508 Home Page (includes self-evaluation information for US federal agencies [formerly at http://www.usdoj.gov/crt/508/508docs.html], and US Attorney General's memorandum to all federal agencies on Section 508 )
- US Department of Education's Requirements for Accessible Software Design
Additional information:
- FCC's discussion of Section 508 [formerly at http://www.fcc.gov/dtf/ab508.html]
- Assistive Technology Act of 1998
- Working space for EITAAC maintained by the Trace Research & Development Center
- WAI comments on Section 508 Notice of Proposed Rulemaking
- Attorney General's speech on Section 508
(USA) Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)
Legislation: Americans with Disabilities Act (1990)
Responsible Ministry: US Department of Justice, Civil Rights Division
Relevant documents:
- Hooks vs. OKBridge, No. 99-50891, Brief of the United States as Amicus Curiae in Support of Appellant. Addresses issues including "Whether a company that offers services solely on the internet is subject to the public accommodations provision of Title III of the ADA."
- Opinion issued by the US DOJ in September, 1996 discussing the applicability of ADA Titles II and III to accessibility of the Web.
Additional information:
- Applying the ADA to the Internet: A Web Accessibility Standard
- Hearing on applicability of
ADA to the Internet and Web
- Hearing transcript
- Some summary thoughts about the hearing
- General information about hearing [formerly at http://www.house.gov/judiciary/na020800.htm]
- Witness testimonies [formerly at http://www.house.gov/judiciary/con0209.htm]
- Brewer testimony
- Vanderheiden addition to the record
- DOJ ADA Home Page
- Is Your Site ADA-Compliant -- or a Lawsuit-In-Waiting?
- The Growing Digital Divide in Access for People with Disabilities: Overcoming Barriers to Participation
- " University Settles Suit, Pledges to Improve Access at Campus," from the San Francisco Examiner
- W3C Brief in Regards to Access Now, Inc. v. Southwest Airlines, Co. Case, 2002
Additional Information?
If you know of other policy information relating to web accessibility, please send links and additional details by Submitting Updates to Policies Relating to Web Accessibility .