ACCAN’s response to the Disability Discrimination Act 1992 (Cth) review

ACCAN recently submitted to the Attorney-General’s Department’s consultation on the review of the Disability Discrimination Act 1992 (Cth) (the DDA). This review presents an opportunity to update the DDA, ensuring that everyone can access essential communication and digital services in Australia. ACCAN’s submission recommends the Attorney-General’s Department: 

• Strengthen Information and Communication Technologies accessibility provisions in the Disability Discrimination Act 1992 (Cth). 

• Amend the Disability Discrimination Act 1992 (Cth) to explicitly address offensive behaviour, harassment, and vilification in digital spaces. 

• Expand the definition of “public place” to include online environments. 

• Introduce a federal prohibition on disability vilification to ensure consistency across states and territories. 

• Develop clear, practical, and accessible guidance materials to accompany the Disability Discrimination Act 1992 (Cth). 

• Accompany any legislative changes with a structured communication campaign that includes outreach, shareable resources, and an updated Web Content Accessibility Guidelines 2.2-compliant website. 

• Adopt the Royal Commission into Violence, Abuse, Neglect and Exploitation of People with Disability recommendations on strengthening the Disability Discrimination Act 1992 (Cth). 

• Review international standards environment to align the Disability Discrimination Act 1992 (Cth) with global best practice. 

• Establish a Digital Communications Technology Standard under the Disability Discrimination Act 1992 (Cth). 

• Ensure strong complaints and enforcement mechanisms with sufficient investigative powers and resources. 

• Improve regulatory coordination across the Australian Human Rights Commission, Australian Communications and Media Authority, Telecommunications Industry Ombudsman, and eSafety Commission.