As part of the Constitution changes to be confirmed at the SGM on 17 April 2023, OZeWAI offers different types of memberships for a range of people and organisations who share OZeWAI’s goals. The memberships vary in cost, from free to corporate costing, and are designed to benefit members and support the advocacy and professional development goals of OZeWAI.
Please consider joining OZeWAI if you are interested in accessibility of digital resources.
Grant funds for membership
OZeWAI was successful in receiving grant funds for more People with Disability to participate in established annual digital access events and activities in Australia. Contact us to register your interest for assistance to join as a member or attend upcoming events that might qualify for support.
Subscription
Subscription is a free option open to people who are not directly working in the field of accessibility but are interested in staying informed about what’s happening with OZeWAI and in the Australian digital accessibility industry. Subscription members don’t have to pay any fees and will only receive public information from OZeWAI. Subscribe to the email list to receive all public communications.
Partner
Project Partners financially support or provide services to OZeWAI in the field of accessibility. The funds help OZeWAI to achieve its strategic objectives, such as advocating for accessibility and working on projects that promote the use of accessible technology in Australasia.
Partner organisations are recognised in all OZeWAI’s advocacy and projects. The terms of the partnership will be negotiated between OZeWAI and the partner and approved by the OZeWAI Committee. The cost is $3,000 but can be negotiable on the project to be supported. Contact us to find out which projects you wish to support and partner.
Partner benefits
- Digital accessibility quality training for staff
- Naming rights at OZeWAI promoted online events and on the website
- Project contribution and participation
Membership eligibility
OZeWAI is home to qualified, skilled professionals. Paid members agree to abide by the values, principles and standards of practice set out in the OZeWAI Code of Ethics and have voting rights. Free membership tiers have no voting rights. Professional and consultancy members commit to ongoing training to keep their skills current and regularly participate and contribute to the OZeWAI community.
If you are unsure which membership is right for you, please contact us for support to decide.
All paid membership applications are reviewed to make sure they comply with OZeWAI’s Code of Ethics before they are approved and payment is accepted.
Membership tiers
The memberships are split into individual and organisation categories. By joining OZeWAI, we can create a community of digital accessibility professionals and advocate together for improvements in policy and practice in digital accessibility in Australia.
Individual membership
Student
Student Membership is for individuals who are currently studying topics related to accessibility and plan to work in the accessibility field or start their own business in accessibility. Membership is free. Benefits include discounts to partner courses/conferences/events when available and access to OZeWAI online topics.
Associate
Associate Membership is open to individuals that are involved in OZeWAI activities and support people with disability but do not work directly in digital accessibility. For example, managers who are building accessibility in their teams and want to keep up to date. They are invited to contribute to OZeWAI activities and have a reduced membership fee of $50.
Associate benefits
- Discounts to courses/conferences/events
- Good for those who wish to participate in mentorship, consulting, and professional development activities organised by OZeWAI
Professional
Professional Membership is for individuals who work in the field of accessibility and can show that they have a history of significant work and expertise in the field. In addition to regular membership, these members are expected to take part in professional development activities organised by OZeWAI. These activities may be led by other professional members or by OZeWAI, and may include training, webinars, workshops, etc. The membership fee for this category is $150.
This category also includes recognition and promotion on the OZeWAI website’s Consultancy List as an OZeWAI endorsed digital accessibility professional at an additional cost of $100. Members who have shown significant contributions and leadership in the field of accessibility. To be eligible for this membership, members must apply for it. In addition to regular membership, these members are expected to contribute to OZeWAI by leading at least one workshop, webinar, writing an academic paper, mentoring, or similar activities per year.
To be added to the Consultancy Directory the professional is required to check against our expert criteria, such as baseline training, certification or and/or 5 or more years of experience, 2 x member, peer or colleague references and contribute in some way to the OZeWAI community activities to support our members.
Professional benefits
- OZeWAI online events – professional specific topics and sessions
- Build your expertise by attending member invited training and workshops, events and conferences
- OZeWAI support and promotion of professionals in partner conferences and online events
Life
Life Membership is a category that is awarded by OZeWAI as a recognition of service. It’s not a membership category that one can apply for; it’s granted to those that are nominated by other OZeWAI members.
These members do not have to pay any membership fees and will have the same benefits as regular members of their respective category.
Organisation membership
Company
Company Membership is for organisations that provide primarily digital accessibility services and that have employees working in the accessibility field. With this membership, the organisation will get one vote, access to OZeWAI online events for up to five individuals, and unlimited access to OZeWAI’s email newsletter, jobs board and resource library.
In addition to regular membership, members in this category will be able to participate in professional development activities organised by OZeWAI for free. These activities may include those led by Professional Members or those that are specifically commissioned by OZeWAI. Up to 5 individuals from the organisation can participate in these activities and receive individual logins.
Cost: $500 plus discounts for additional members ($100 per additional person)
Company benefits
- Access to apprenticeship program (future project work)
- Partner in a conference network activity
Accessibility Consultancy Company benefits
This category also includes recognition and promotion on the OZeWAI website’s Consultant Directory as an OZeWAI endorsed digital accessibility provider at an additional cost of $300.
To be added to the Consultancy Directory the an accessibility provider’s professional representatives are required to check against our expert criteria, such as baseline training, certification or and/or 5 or more years of experience, 2 x member, peer or colleague references and contribute in some way to the OZeWAI community activities to support our members.
Membership benefits
| Member category | Cost | Voting Rights | Consultancy Directory | Event Discounts | Special Offers | Newsletter | Jobs Board | Resources Library | Multiple logins | Naming Rights | Event mentions | Advocacy Collaborations |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Associate | $50 | No | No | No | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | No | No | No | Contribute |
| Student | Free | No | No | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | No | No | No | Contribute |
| Professional | $150 | Yes | No | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | No | No | No | Contribute |
| Professional Consultant | $250 | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | No | No | Yes | Contribute |
| Life | $0 | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | No | No | No | Contribute |
| Accessibility Company | $500 | Yes | No | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | No | No | Contribute |
| Accessibility Consultancy Company | $800 | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | No | Yes | Contribute |
| Partners | $3,000 | No | No | No | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | No | Yes | Yes | Yes |