Accessibility of Public Information in New Zealand

By Robyn Hunt
 

Minister Challenges Accessibility

In early September, minister of disability issues, Ruth Dyson challenged New Zealand government departments and agencies  to look at the accessibility of the public information they provide from the point of view of people with disability. She said they should consider alternative formats such as audio, large print, and New Zealand Sign Language wherever possible.

She also urged them to ensure their web sites are able to be accessed and easily navigated by people with disability, using the free tools and guidelines available on the Internet.

Ms Dyson was launching 'Making a World of Difference Whakanui Oranga, the New Zealand Disability Strategy Discussion Document. The launch was audio broadcast live on the Internet.

Electronic copies of the strategy document are available on a separate accessible web site. Copies of the schedule of consultation meetings, the submission document, newsletters, media releases, and an information pack for running discussion groups are also available.

Ms Dyson said that access to information is one of the issues addressed by the Disability Strategy. '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.'

The strategy identifies other barriers relating to attitudes, education, employment, access to services and socio-economic status which affect the goals and aspirations of people with disability. The aim of the strategy is to remove these and other barriers to full participation and the realisation of the potential of people with disability.

A consultation programme will take place over the next two months. Some workshops are for people with disability only, to ensure they have a strong voice. Submissions close on November 1, and the final strategy will go to Government by Christmas.

The web site for the New Zealand Disability Strategy is www.nzds.govt.nz.
 

Disability Divide

The issue of access to information and communications technologies is a hot topic around the world. In New Zealand a newly appointed E-government Head at the State Services Commission had this to say in a thesis on the topic.

'The ability of citizens to access government online will determine, to a large extent the success or otherwise of government initiatives.' He says that while access is growing in most countries he acknowledges that there is a digital divide in New Zealand. 'E government is not just about access to the Internet. It also includes services delivered by telephone, digital TV and Kiosks.'

While he does not comment on the difficulties this might raise for people with disability, he does say that E-government is about improving citizens' experience of government and ensuring that they are all able to effectively participate in the economy and society of the 21st century.

How this might happen for people with disability is not explained but he does recognise the irony that 'the people who deal mostly with the government in the US' ( and also NZ) 'and hence would presumably benefit most from improved service delivery are those least able to access it
electronically.'

The challenge of full participation in E-government is yet to be fully explored.

Despite the pressure from disability activists there is still little evidence among government organisations of interest in Internet accessibility for people with disability.