OZeWAI – Australian Web Accessibility Initiative (OZeWAI) is the largest representative body of digital accessibility (DA) professionals in Australia. OZeWAI members advise businesses, companies, not-for-profit organisations and other entities how to make their digital products accessible for people with disabilities.
OZeWAI advocates for the interests of the sector, administers the system of self-regulation including the Code, educates Digital Accessibility practitioners, promotes research and creates forums for the exchange of knowledge.
Preface
The OZeWAI Code is an agreed, self-regulatory code of conduct for Digital Accessibility professionals in Australia. It aims to raise standards of conduct across the sector by building member expertise and currency in Digital Accessibility practice.
Please contact us if have any questions about the Code.
About this Code
- The Code applies to OZeWAI Members.
- The Code commits Members to high standards of ethical conduct.
- The Code is self-regulatory and does not replace or override any law.
- Adherence to the Code is a requirement of OZeWAI membership.
Compliance
- Members will comply with all Federal, State and Municipal laws and regulations applicable to Digital Accessibility.
- Members agree to monitor their adherence to the Code and report their compliance annually to OZeWAI by a Member representative authorised to do so.
- Members agree to accept the decision of the Code Authority in respect of any complaint brought against them under the Code.
- Members agree to have their adherence to the Code checked by OZeWAI.
Conduct
- Members will not engage in activities that bring Digital Accessibility into disrepute.
- Members will act openly, honestly and with regard to their responsibility for public trust.
- Members will act with respect for professional Digital Accessibility and Service Users.
- Members will not exploit relationships with Service Users.
- Members will conduct themselves in a manner that encourages others to aspire to the same high standards, valuing privacy, confidentiality, trust and integrity.
- Members will be transparent about the work they do, including how Digital Accessibility decisions are made and enacted.
- Members will ensure they respect and maintain the rights of people with disability as the beneficiaries and active participants in accessibility practice.
- Members will ensure that they continue to keep up to date on Digital Accessibility practice
- Members will adhere to the Code of Conduct when attending OZeWAI events, conferences and meetings
Administration and enforcement
- Anyone can make a Complaint to OZeWAI that a Member has breached the Code.
- All Complaints will be investigated in a timely manner by the Code Authority.
- Members will be advised by the Code Authority when a Complaint against them is being investigated.
- Members agree to assist and co-operate with the Code Authority’s investigation of a Complaint.
- If a Complaint is upheld by the Code Authority, a Member can appeal the result of the investigation.
- Members agree to abide by the Authority’s post-appeal decision.
- If a complaint is upheld by the Authority after appeal and the Member does not accept the decision and / or amend the practices that were the basis of the Complaint, their Membership will be cancelled.
Definitions
- Code: means the document that commits OZeWAI Members to high standards of ethical conduct
- Code Authority: means a committee established by the OZeWAI Committee pursuant to the OZeWAI constitution for the purposes of deciding on matters related to the Code.
- Complaint: means a notice in writing sent by any person to OZeWAI, by way of a completed complaint form, concerning an alleged breach by an OZeWAI Member of any part of the Code.
- Member: organisational Member of OZeWAI
- OZeWAI: OZeWAI – Australian Web Accessibility Initiative
- Service User: means person with lived experience of disability