As financial services providers increasingly rely on their online services, it is timely to review the Australian Human Rights Commission’s World Wide Web Access: Disability Discrimination Act Advisory Note which has recently been updated.

The Guidelines have been issued to assist organisations to meet their obligations under the Disability Discrimination Act when providing digital goods and services.

As the use of digital technology is required to participate in almost every aspect of individual and community life, consumers have a legal right not to be discriminated against when they try to do so. This means that a person with disability should be able to complete the full task or enjoy the use of any good using technology that is readily available to them.

The Guidelines include the following example in relation to financial services:

A person with disability should be able to utilise all the online services offered by their financial institution, at all times when it is available to other customers. This includes multi-factor identification requirements, error messages and any particular requirements for transactions such as needing to speak to a call centre to release a term deposit.

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Author: David Jacobson
Principal, Bright Corporate Law
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About David Jacobson
The information contained in this article is not legal advice. It is not to be relied upon as a full statement of the law. You should seek professional advice for your specific needs and circumstances before acting or relying on any of the content.