Depts Challenged To Make Information Accessible
Minister Challenges Depts To Make Information Accessible
Minister for Disability Issues Ruth Dyson today
issued a challenge to all government departments and
agencies to make their information accessible to people with
disabilities.
Launching the discussion document for the New Zealand Disability Strategy at Parliament, Ms Dyson said the document identified the need for public information to be available in forms which met the different communication needs of people with disabilities.
"It is high time we recognised that many people with disabilities can’t participate fully in their communities because they can't get the information they need in the form they need it. It may be information about changes to legislation, government policy or access to services."
Ms Dyson said she was delighted that the Ministry of Health had set up a separate website for the disability strategy, which had been specially designed for people with disabilities. The website had been approved as accessible by a free Web-based tool called "Bobby", which analyses Web pages for their accessibility to people with disabilities.
Ms Dyson said
other government departments should follow the same
example.
"I challenge all government departments to look
at the public information they provide from the point of
view of people with disabilities. They need to consider
alternative formats such as audio, large print, and sign
language wherever possible, and ensure their web sites can
be accessed and easily navigated by all users."
The discussion document for the NZ Disability Strategy seeks public feedback on how the Government can remove the barriers which prevent people with disabilities from participating in society. More than 40 workshops will be held around the country, before the strategy is finalised early next year.
Ends