Centre for Accessibility Australia (CFA Australia) CEO Dr. Scott Hollier and Laetitia Thompson recently met with Senator Jordon Steele-John to discuss the urgent need for digital accessibility to be formally recognised in the upcoming reforms to the Disability Discrimination Act (DDA).
The meeting focused on the growing importance of digital access in everyday life and the need for legislation that reflects the realities faced by Australians with disability in an increasingly digital world. Discussions centred around ensuring the DDA includes stronger protections, greater accountability, and enforceable standards to address discrimination and exclusion in digital spaces.
The conversation also drew attention to concerns surrounding the proposed removal of approximately 160,000 people from the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS), as well as the ongoing challenges many people with disability experience when trying to access and engage with the NDIS digitally. A key focus of the discussion was the importance of building accessibility into laws, digital systems, and services from the beginning, rather than treating it as an afterthought. The meeting also highlighted the important role people with lived experience of disability play in helping shape future reforms and improving outcomes for the community.
We at CFA Australia would like to thank Senator Steele-John and the Greens office for their constructive discussion and ongoing support in Disability Discrimination Act reforms.