Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 14 July 2021
494. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the way her Department and public bodies and agencies under her remit are implementing Action 16 of the National Disability and Inclusion Strategy 2017-2021 (details supplied). [38498/21]
View answerThe Department of Public Expenditure and Reform, which encompasses the Office of the Government Chief Information Officer (OGCIO), is the lead Department responsible for Action 16 of the National Disability and Inclusion Strategy 2017-2021.
My Department's ICT services are provided by the OGCIO and we follow its lead in improving accessibility and encouraging universal design principles in furtherance of the Public Service ICT Strategy. Amongst the work undertaken to date has been the ongoing improvement of content on gov.ie, particularly in terms of promoting and verifying the use of Plain English. In that regard, Gov.ie partially complies with Level AA Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) 2.1 standards and has a compliant accessibility statement which can be accessed at www.gov.ie/en/help/accessibility/.
The only website directly under my Department’s control is www.tidytowns.ie. Work is underway to ensure that the website is fully accessible in accordance with the latest standards.
In terms of the agencies under my Department’s aegis, further information is set out below.
The WDC’s “cloud-first” digital strategy is built on universal design principles. In addition, the WDC is committed to achieving Level AA conformance to the WCAG 2.0 for its website (www.westerndevelopment.ie). The Accessibility Statement for the website is available at westerndevelopment.ie/accessibility/.
Pobal prioritises inclusive design and accessibility in products and services and has engaged with 3rd Party User Experience consultancy firms to provide guidance on its adherence to accessibility standards across its systems. The Pobal website (www.pobal.ie) has been confirmed as achieving Level AA conformance to the WCAG 2.0, following the most recent audit of the website. The Accessibility Statement for the website can be found at www.pobal.ie/accessibility/.
The website of the Charities Regulator (www.charitiesregulator.ie) is fully compliant with accessibility requirements. The statement on accessibility is available at www.charitiesregulator.ie/en/accessibility.
Water Safety Ireland also informs my Department that its website is fully accessible. The Accessibility Statement for the website is available at watersafety.ie/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/WSI-Accessibility-Statement.pdf.
