Leading blindness and low vision service provider Vision Australia is calling for a united push to increase employment opportunities for people who live with a disability.
The not-for-profit organisation is calling on fellow disability service providers to lend their signatures to a joint statement urging government departments and agencies to procure ICT (information and communication technology) and other equipment that is accessible to people who are blind or have low vision or who live with any other disability.
"People who are blind or have low vision want the ability to forge a career for themselves and support themselves and their loved ones like anybody else. Unfortunately in many instances they are denied that opportunity due to work places that aren't accessible to them," Kate Begley, Vision Australia Government Relations & Policy Advisor said.
"There is an Australian Standard that has been introduced, yet not implemented, that would require all government departments and agencies to procure accessible ICT. If that was to be implemented, it would result in a huge increase in the employment opportunities for our community and others who live with a disability, which is why we’re calling on the wider sector to join our push," Ms Begley said.
Ms Begley said there has been some positive signs in terms of accessible ICT procurement, pointing to a NSW Government decision, however she said continued advocacy is needed.
"We applaud the NSW Government for their decision to require the procurement of accessible ICT, however they're just one government in one level of government. We still have a long way to go before we experience real change," she said.
The call for a joint statement is part of a continued push by Vision Australia to increase work place accessibility in the public sector. In late 2017, Vision Australia became a signatory to the Global Charter for Inclusive ICT Procurement, which calls for governments across the world to procure accessible ICT.
For more information or to become a signatory, organisations are encouraged to contact Ms Begley via (03) 9864 9415 or [email protected].