Access to Information and Communication

Issue

Less than 10% of published information generally available to the community is also available in a format that blind, deafblind and low vision people can access.[2]

 

Statement

The RNZFB Board believes that:

• People who are blind, deafblind or have low vision should have access to all information at the same cost and time as everyone else.
• It should be mandatory that all organisations in New Zealand ensure that web-based information conforms to the New Zealand Government’s Web Accessibility Standard 1.0 and Web Usability Standard 1.2.
• Legislated accessibility standards should be enforced in all sectors of the economy and community.

 

Background

Access to printed information is essential to independent and full participation in the community. Environmental cues such as those in the following list may be difficult or impossible for blind, deafblind people and those with low vision to access:

• Street-signs and building numbers.
• Transport and travel assistance such as bus timetables and city maps.
• Interfaces for household appliances or community services such as touch screens and onscreen displays at information kiosks.

Lack of access to published information is the single biggest barrier to employment, education and effective participation in many aspects of society for people with sight loss. These days, most published information originates on a computer, so should be developed and produced according to well-accepted accessibility standards and conventions. This will facilitate making information available in alternative formats, including large print, audio, electronic text and braille.

With an ageing and more diverse consumer market, it is important that service organisations ensure all customer-facing staff can provide accessible customer service, including the ability to handle accessible format enquiries. Advice on the best ways to present accessible information is available from competent accessible information suppliers.

The Round Table on Information Access for People with Print Disabilities Inc. provides guidelines to assist organisations to handle accessible format requirements. See: http://printdisability.org/

 

What Blind Low Vision NZ Will Do:

• Advise government, business, industry and the community on accessible formats.
• Encourage people with a print disability to explain when published material is not accessible and request accommodation.
• Increase public awareness of how making all forms of written communications accessible for people who are blind, deafblind or have low vision benefits everyone.
• Join with other disability agencies to advocate for an Accessible New Zealand Act that will enforce mandatory accessibility standards applicable to all sectors of the economy and community.

 

What Blind Low Vision NZ Wants Government to Do:

• Expand the coverage of the New Zealand Government’s Web Accessibility Standard 1.0 and Web Usability Standard 1.2 to non-central government entities: schools, local health authorities, social and justice services, local councils and crown entities.
• Encourage, and, where possible, require businesses to adopt information accessibility practices (web and print).
• Require government procurement to conform to specified accessibility standards.
• Accede to the Marrakesh Treaty adopted by the World Intellectual Property Organisation in 2013.
• Ensure every library has a print disability collection.
• Require public sector agencies to provide accessible formats or have arrangements in place to meet requests from people with print disabilities for accessible formats, including communication and information in Te Reo Māori.