Australian DDA and the WWW

A recent press release from Australian Human Rights and Equal Opportunity
Commission is titled:
"Internet still covered under Australian Discrimination Law"
(http://www.hreoc.gov.au/media_releases/2002/72_02.html)
which reinforces that the Web is covered by the Australian DDA.

Furthermore, the Australian Human Rights and Equal Opportunity Commission
has recently updated their notes in relation to the WWW and the Disability
Discrimination Act
(http://www.hreoc.gov.au/disability_rights/standards/www_3/www_3.html)

From Section 2.2:
                                                                           
 "The provision of information and                                         
 online services through the                                               
 Worldwide Web is a service covered                                        
 by the DDA. Equal access for people                                       
 with a disability in this area is                                         
 required by the DDA where it can                                          
 reasonably be provided. This                                              
 requirement applies to any                                                
 individual or organisation                                                
 developing a Worldwide Web page in                                        
 Australia, or placing or maintaining                                      
 a Web page on an Australian server.                                       
 This includes pages developed or                                          
 maintained for purposes relating to                                       
 employment; education; provision of                                       
 services including professional                                           
 services, banking, insurance or                                           
 financial services, entertainment or                                      
 recreation, telecommunications                                            
 services, public transport services,                                      
 or government services; sale or                                           
 rental of real estate; sport;                                             
 activities of voluntary                                                   
 associations; or administration of                                        
 Commonwealth laws or programs. All                                        
 these are areas specifically covered                                      
 by the DDA."                                                              
                                                                           
                                                                           


Andrew
_________________________________
Dr Andrew Arch
Manager, Online Accessibility Consulting
Vision Australia Foundation
Ph 613 9864 9222; Fax 613 9864 9210
Mobile 0438 755 565
http://www.visionaustralia.org.au/ http://home.vicnet.net.au/~webacces/

Member, Education & Outreach Working Group,
W3C Web Accessibility Initiative
http://www.w3.org/WAI/EO/

Received on Friday, 25 October 2002 09:35:36 UTC