In 2006, The Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities was adopted by The United Nations (UN). Article 9 of the convention specifically relates to accessibility and technology.
This requires State Parties "to identify and elimination obstacles and barriers to accessibility including information, communications and other services." The convention is a policy tool which is pan-disability and cross sector. It is legally binding.
The Disability Discrimination Act
In the UK, the Disability Discrimination Act (DDA) requires you to make 'reasonable adjustments' to ensure anti-discriminatory policies and practices around ICT systems, software and websites.
Examples of ICT related reasonable adjustments include:
- If your recruitment process is only available on-line, your recruitment website must be fully accessible
- If you are installing a new software system you must check that it is compatible with assistive technology such as voice recognition software.
- An organisation providing on-line information services to the public would be required to include text to speech software for visually impaired staff as standard on any new computer.
By actively consulting with disabled customers and staff to identify the most common barriers in your technology and acting upon these findings you will be able to demonstrate anti-discriminatory practice.
The Disability Equality Duty
Public sector organisations in the UK have additional responsibilities under the Disability Equality Duty (DED). The DED requires you to promote disability equality in every aspect of your business including ICT. You are required to publish details of your Disability Equality Scheme, usually a 3 year action plan drawn up in consultation with disabled people. Your plan could include issues such as:
- Implementing a reasonable adjustment process including ICT reasonable adjustments to ensure equality in employment
- Ensuring that all on-line public information is accessible
Article 9 - The Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities
