Policy

Ofcom, Office of Communications

Television

Top of page

Read more about U.K. Government fails to act on video-on-demand accessibility

Accessibility in the cloud – benefits, issues and trends

Show on home page

As a new survey shows an increase in the use of the cloud in 2016, the impact of this on people with disabilities and impairments becomes ever more important. Media Access Australia has produced a white paper, Accessibility of Cloud Computing – current and future trends, which provides valuable insights into cloud accessibility.

Left hand holds a smartphone with floating squares emerging from the screen

Taxonomy:

Sensory impairment

Digital media and technology:

Mobile operating systems

Operating systems

Devices

Smartphones

Top of page

Read more about Accessibility in the cloud – benefits, issues and trends

Service Providers Accessibility Guide now available via direct download

Show on home page

Media Access Australia’s Service Providers Accessibility Guide, which received a significant update in October 2015, is now available to download directly in accessible PDF and Word formats via our Digital Accessibility Services website. The guide caters to service providers using practical, hands-on, step-by-step ways to effectively prepare and deliver content and communications for people with disabilities via computing and mobile devices.

Finger resting on an accessibility button on a computer keyboard

Taxonomy:

Audiovisual materials

Review of access to electronic media

Affordable

Mobility

Digital media and technology:

Top of page

Read more about Service Providers Accessibility Guide now available via direct download

European Commission proposes making products and services more accessible

Show on home page

The European Commission has proposed a European Accessibility Act which will set accessibility requirements for key products across the European Union (EU), making them more accessible for people with disabilities. The products include ATMs and banking services, telephones, TV equipment, transport, e-books and e-commerce.

European Union flag flying atop a flagpole

Taxonomy:

UNCRPD, United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with a Disability

Top of page

Read more about European Commission proposes making products and services more accessible

Feedback on captioning regulation wanted

Show on home page

The lead-up to the end of the year has seen a little burst of consultation around captioning issues. The Federal Department of Communications and the Arts has released a policy consultation paper on the Captioning Regulatory Framework.

Businessman holding an open pair of scissors up to a line of red tape

Taxonomy:

TV & video

Australian policy and legislation

Captions

Closed captions

Top of page

Read more about Feedback on captioning regulation wanted

Better audio description through consultation

Show on home page

A basic rule of research is that if you want to know what somebody thinks about your product, the best thing to do is ask them. It is surprising how little that approach is taken with access services, including audio description for blind people, which makes recent initiatives by Pixar in the US and Ericsson in Australia all the more welcome.

Left hand adjusting the volume control on a home theatre system

Taxonomy:

Australian policy and legislation

Top of page

Read more about Better audio description through consultation

Digital Gap pushes for change by 2017

Show on home page

The call for improvement to digital accessibility for people with disabilities moved to Parliament House in Canberra with a call for significant change to happen by 2017, which is the 25^th anniversary of the Disability Discrimination Act.

Two glass jars of peanut butter. Smooth on the left and crunchy on the right.

Taxonomy:

Digital technology

Web

Digital media and technology:

Mobile operating systems

Operating systems

Devices

Smartphones

Top of page

Read more about Digital Gap pushes for change by 2017

ACCAN launches campaign for online caption quality

Show on home page

The Australian Communications Consumer Action Network (ACCAN) has formed an alliance of organisations which is calling for online videos to be provided with accurate, readable captions.

YouTube auto-caption for Tony Abbott reads "things like the big butts well we want to carefully look". Image credit: ACCAN via Facebook

Taxonomy:

Web

Australian policy and legislation

ACCAN, Australian Communications Consumer Action Network

Top of page

Read more about ACCAN launches campaign for online caption quality

Accessible Canada by law

Show on home page

Canadian province Manitoba has introduced a customer service standard as part of its accessibility legislation. This recognises that disabled customers may not be able to access communications and may be using assistive devices. The standard also applies to public events.

Canadian flag

Many countries have moved towards disability inclusion through strategies, equity and diversity plans. Generally the only area that has been enshrined in law has been around building codes, but Manitoba’s new standard is an example of it reaching into digital accessibility and customer service.

Taxonomy:

General