Legal Requirements for Accessible Communications

As organizations expand globally, understanding and complying with local accessibility laws is essential. Legal requirements for accessible communications vary significantly across the world, reflecting different levels of awareness, resources, and commitment to disability rights. Familiarizing yourself with these laws is crucial for staying compliant and avoiding legal repercussions.

Global Guidelines:

Two global standards form the foundation for many national accessibility laws:

• Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG): These guidelines serve as a standard for web and digital accessibility, providing detailed recommendations for making content more accessible to people with disabilities.

• ISO 30071-1: This standard provides guidelines for creating accessible ICT (Information and Communication Technology) products and services, including websites, software, and applications. Other relevant standards exist covering areas such as web accessibility, ergonomic design, and built environments.

• UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD): This international treaty, ratified by many countries, sets broad obligations for ensuring the rights of persons with disabilities, including accessible communication.

Regional Legal Requirements:

North America:

• United States: The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and Section 508 of the Rehabilitation Act require accessible communication in many public and private sectors. The Telecommunications Act also mandates accessibility in telecommunications services and equipment

• Canada: The Accessible Canada Act (ACA) aims for a barrier-free Canada by 2040, while provincial laws like the AODA set specific regional standards for accessibility.

Europe:

• European Union: The European Accessibility Act (EAA) and the Web Accessibility Directive mandate accessibility across a wide range of products and services, including digital content.

• United Kingdom: Post-Brexit, the UK continues to enforce the Equality Act 2010 and regulations aligned with the EU Web Accessibility Directive.

• France : The RGAA (Référentiel Général d’Amélioration de l’Accessibilité) legislation in France sets mandatory guidelines and standards for digital accessibility to ensure that public websites, applications, and digital services are accessible to people with disabilities, aligning with international standards like WCAG.

Asia-Pacific:

• Australia: The Disability Discrimination Act 1992 and WCAG compliance are key components of Australia’s accessibility framework.

• Japan: The Act for Eliminating Discrimination Against Persons with Disabilities requires reasonable accommodations, including accessible communication.

Middle East:

• United Arab Emirates: Federal Law No. 29 of 2006 protects the rights of individuals with disabilities, including accessible communication provisions.

• Israel: The Equal Rights for Persons with Disabilities Law mandates accessibility in services, including digital communication.

Africa:

• South Africa: The Promotion of Equality and Prevention of Unfair Discrimination Act 2000 requires reasonable accommodations for people with disabilities.

• Kenya: The Persons with Disabilities Act 2003 mandates public service providers to ensure accessibility.

Latin America:

• Brazil: The Brazilian Inclusion Law addresses digital accessibility among other rights.

• Mexico: The General Law for the Inclusion of Persons with Disabilities mandates measures to ensure accessibility in information and communication.

Understanding and complying with these legal requirements is critical for any organization operating internationally. Learn more about how Sefas can help you reduce risk, adhere to regulatory requirements, and serve all customers better by improving your accessible communications capabilities. Contact us.