23 October 2008
Gershon Report exemplifies good practice in accessibility
Australian Disability Discrimination Commissioner, Graeme Innes, has congratulated the Australian Government Information Management Office (AGIMO) for making the Gershon Report available in an accessible format for people with disability.
The report into the Australian Government's use of information and communications technology was released on October 16. It makes a number of recommendations about how the Government can make more effective and efficient use of information and communication technologies.
"This is an important document that will be discussed extensively in the months ahead,” said Commissioner Innes. “It is reassuring that people with disabilities will now have the opportunity to be part of that discussion, along with everyone else.”
The Commissioner added that in the past two months he has drawn the Government's attention to the need for public information to be made available in accessible formats, such as HTML, Word and RTF, as well as the customary PDF format.
In October, the Commissioner launched Webwatch - a webpage that lists the names of Government departments and agencies that are not making information accessible.
"Webwatch will continue for as long as it is needed," said Commissioner Innes. "In the meantime, it is very encouraging that we are starting to see examples of good practice in information accessibility being demonstrated by the Australian Government."
Media contact: Brinsley Marlay 02 9284 9656 or 0430 366 529
