Why is it important to be proactive?

Regulations and standards ensure the University meets its legal and ethical obligations to implement best practice

The University is responsible for ensuring it is fair and inclusive. As such, we are obliged to eliminate barriers to learning and provide equitable experiences for students and staff. Inclusive design goes beyond being aware of equity issues - by taking action, it makes a tangible and achievable difference.

What laws, policies and standards are relevant?

Laws

New Zealand currently lacks specific legislation to directly address disability rights; instead, it relies on the Human Rights Act 1993 and ratification of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities.

Policies and Best Practice Guidelines

The University's Equity Policies and Guidelines outline our obligations to ensure fairness in all aspects of employment and education. The Disability Programme 2017-2020 is leading the drive for compliance and best practice in digital systems and content.

The University is also obliged to adhere to Kia Orite - Achieving Equity: New Zealand's Code of Practice for an Inclusive Tertiary Education Environment for Students with Impairments. Developed by Disability Advisors and practitioners across New Zealand, Kia Orite outlines principles and practices to ensure all students are able to fulfil course requirements with minimal support.

Web Content Standards

Government organisations in New Zealand are guided by the Web Accessibility Standard and the Web Usability Standard. These are based on internationally recognised Web Content Accessibility Guidelines that include technical specifications and success criteria associated with levels of conformance.

All of the University's public and internal web pages - created, redesigned or redeveloped since July 2014 - must comply with these standards.

Accessibility Standards

Nationally, there is currently strong advocacy for Government to introduce legislation that would set out minimum access standards for workplaces and public infrastructure (see the Accessibility for New Zealanders Act).

Further Reading

Access Alliance and Accessibility for New Zealanders Act: Details of the Access Alliance and the Act they are lobbying Government to introduce.
Equity at the University | Te Ara Tautika: The University of Auckland's Equity website with links to policy and guidelines
Kia Ōrite / Achieving Equity: Code of Practice for an Inclusive Tertiary Education Environment for Students with Impairments (Ministry of Education, 2004)
NZ Government Web Standards: Guidelines for the implementation of NZ Web Accessibility Standards
Policies and Guidelines of the Equity Office: Policy and guidelines of the University of Auckland
WCAG 2.0 Web Content Accessibility Guidelines: Detailed recommendations for making web content accessible.
University of Auckland Inclusive Teaching and Learning Guidelines: Institutional expectations of staff and students regarding inclusive practice in teaching and learning in all modes and environments.