Accessible websites enable people with a range of impairments, including visual, dexterity and hearing impairments to access and use websites more easily. Employers who use intranets also need to consider accessibility. There is a range of information on designing professional, attractive and accessible websites. In most cases, a site which is more accessible for disabled people is easier and more user-friendly for people without a disability, too.
Improving the Accessibility of your website
Free automated web tools, eg Webaim, can review your website in seconds and advise ways in which you can improve its accessibility. Visit: http://webaim.org/(external link). For an example see: http://wave.webaim.org/report#/www.mbie.govt.nz.(external link)
International website content accessibility standards
This can be found at the W3C website(external link).
New Zealand Government Web Standards
The New Zealand Government Web Standards(external link) apply to any web site that is intended for the public and financed by the public through the crown or through public agencies. Crown Entity and State Owned Enterprises are not mandated to adhere to these standards, but are asked to support the spirit of the NZ Government Web Standards by seeking to comply with the requirements, to ensure as many New Zealanders as possible have access to information online.
Better Information for Everyone
This Human Rights Commissions report focuses on disabled people’s rights in the information age. It includes information about complaints received by the Commission, international and New Zealand legislation, and issues related to the provision of both public and private sector information. There is a section about the Internet and web accessibility standards, as well as NZ and international good practice.
Better information for everyone: Disabled people's rights in the information age [PDF, 1.4MB](external link)
Consultancy services
There are many consultancy services whose express purpose is to help you create a more accessible website. There are several reasons why your website needs to be accessible: Commercial (make more money!), legal (it could be illegal not to), and because “it's the right thing to do”. Examples include;
- Accessibility NZ website(external link)
- AccEase(external link) is a communications company which provides web accessibility services, information accessibility and related services to organisations wanting to communicate and work with disabled and older people. They can also assist with advice on customer service and disability competency for staff, and career mentoring for disabled staff.