Accessibility statement for ADCET

This statement explains how the Australian Disability Clearinghouse on Education and Training (ADCET) approaches accessibility across the ADCET website, ADCET Academy and Disability Awareness content, digital resources, social media and ADCET events. It also explains known limitations and how to contact us if you experience an access barrier.

Our commitment

Accessibility is core to ADCET’s purpose. We aim to create digital content, learning resources and events that are usable, welcoming and respectful for people with disability.

Our work is informed by people with lived experience of disability, including staff, contributors, presenters and advisory participants. When people contribute lived experience or specialist accessibility expertise outside an existing paid role, ADCET seeks to pay them for their time and expertise.

Web Accessibility

ADCET aims to meet current Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG). WCAG is an international standard for making web content more accessible and usable for people with disability. We currently strive to meet WCAG 2.2 Level AA for newly created digital content.

Because ADCET has a long history and a large archive of resources, some content is only partially conformant with WCAG 2.2 Level AA. Partially conformant means that some parts of the content do not fully meet the standard.

This statement is not a formal certification that all ADCET content, tools or third-party platforms fully conform with WCAG 2.2 AA. It explains the standard we aim for, the measures we take, and how users can tell us when something is not working.

How we assess and improve web accessibility

review new and updated web content for accessibility before publication where practicable
use automated checks and manual review to identify common issues
respond to accessibility feedback from users
involve people with lived experience of disability in larger reviews and resource projects where practicable
use and accessible ICT procurement guidance to inform digital procurement and commissioning decisions
review accessibility as part of major website, platform or resource updates.

Known limitations

ADCET includes current content as well as older resources, webinar materials, recordings and documents produced over more than 20 years. Some older or externally supplied content may not meet current accessibility standards.

Known or likely limitations include:

older PDFs, Word documents, slide decks or scanned resources that may not have correct structure, headings, reading order, tags or alternative text
older webinar recordings or transcripts that may not meet current captioning, transcript or audio description expectations
third-party platforms, embedded tools or registration systems that ADCET does not fully control
presentation materials supplied by external presenters close to an event date
physical venue conditions that vary by location and event
external resources and websites linked from the ADCET website.

We prioritise remediation for content that is current, high use, required for participation, required for learning, or reported to us as creating an access barrier. If you need content in another format, contact us and we will work with you to provide a practical alternative where possible.

Website accessibility features and tools

ADCET provides optional tools to help users access content in different ways. These tools are supplementary and are not intended to replace accessible source content or a user’s own assistive technology.

Anthology Ally for Web. Ally can provide alternative versions of some pages and documents, such as audio, ePub, HTML, translated versions and electronic braille where available.
ReadSpeaker can read website content aloud and may provide features such as text highlighting, reading controls, page masking, reading rulers, translation of selected text and downloadable audio where enabled.
High contrast option. A “View High Contrast” option is available at the top of ADCET web pages.
Dyslexie font option. Some users find the Dyslexie font helpful. A “View Dyslexie font” option is available at the top of ADCET web pages.

Digital events

ADCET runs webinars, forums and online meetings. For public webinars and forums, ADCET aims to:

use online meeting platforms with accessibility features
provide live captions and use skilled captioners where appropriate
enable registrants to tell us about access requirements before the event
monitor chat and verbalise relevant written questions or comments where appropriate
ask external presenters to provide accessible presentation materials
provide presentation materials before the event where they are available and requested for access reasons
send follow up information about recordings and transcripts where these are available.
act on requests for Auslan and other interpreting services and arrange them where required and practicable, subject to availability.

Physical and hybrid events

For physical events, ADCET aims to select venues and event arrangements that meet the needs of as many attendees as possible. We consider access features such as step free access, accessible toilets, hearing access, lighting, wayfinding, sensory load, quiet space options, transport and emergency procedures where relevant.

For hybrid events, ADCET combines digital and physical access planning so that in person and online attendees can participate as meaningfully as possible. Hybrid delivery can be technically complex, so we encourage attendees to tell us about access requirements early.

Content creation and lived experience

When ADCET creates new resources, eLearning content or major guidance materials, we aim to:

consider accessibility from the start of the project
use clear language, meaningful structure, headings, descriptive links and alternative text
create content with the aim of meeting WCAG 2.2 Level AA where applicable
involve people with relevant lived experience and subject matter expertise where practicable
pay advisory contributors, reviewers and authors for their time where they are not otherwise compensated for that work.

Vendors, contractors and third-party providers

ADCET works with external vendors, contractors and third-party providers. When procuring or commissioning digital products, platforms and content, ADCET asks suppliers for accessibility information where practicable and uses accessible ICT procurement guidance to inform accessibility requirements.

Feedback and contacting ADCET

We welcome feedback about ADCET accessibility. Please contact us if you experience a barrier, need information in another format, or have suggestions for improvement.

Email: accessibility@adcet.edu.au

Phone: (03) 6324 3615

When you contact us, it helps if you can include the page, document, event or resource you were using, the issue you experienced, and the format or support that would help.

We aim to acknowledge accessibility feedback within 5 business days and provide next steps generally within 20 business days. Some fixes may take longer where they involve third-party platforms, older archived content, complex documents or external suppliers.