Online Training

Removing Barriers: Improving Digital Accessibility in the Public Sector

Empowering Inclusion: Building Accessible Digital Services for Every Citizen

01 & 08 May 2025

10:00 AM - 2:30 PM AEST

Next intake: 01 & 08 May 2025 | 10:00 AM - 2:30 PM AEST

Overview

Access to digital services is not just a convenience—it’s a critical enabler of participation in today’s social, economic, and civic life. Yet, 1 in 6 Australians live with a disability, and millions more face challenges such as low literacy levels, language barriers, or age-related impairments. For governments and public sector agencies, ensuring digital accessibility is not optional—it’s essential for equitable service delivery.

This course will empower you to break down barriers and create inclusive online experiences for all users. At its core are the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) 2.1, which serve as the global gold standard for accessibility. You’ll dive into the four guiding principles of WCAG—Perceivable, Operable, Understandable, and Robust—and gain the tools and confidence to apply them effectively.

Our expert trainer will guide you through real-world examples and scenarios, ensuring you leave with actionable skills that can be implemented immediately. Whether you’re a content creator, designer, or curator, this course will help you develop compliant, inclusive, and user-friendly content for diverse audiences.

Who Should Attend?

Recommended for APS 5-EL 2 and equivalent state-based roles, who are involved in content creation, user experience, and digital service delivery. This course is designed for professionals responsible for creating and managing accessible digital services, including:
Digital Communications Specialists
Customer Experience (CX), User Interface (UI), and Experience Designers
Digital Accessibility Specialists and Consultants

Learning Outcomes

Recognise the critical importance of accessibility in delivering equitable web and online services.
Understand and apply the principles of WCAG 2.1 to ensure compliance with accessibility standards.
Approach content design with creativity and inclusivity, ensuring accessibility for diverse audiences.
Foster empathy for people with disabilities and champion inclusive practices in digital content creation.
Enhance user engagement, satisfaction, and participation by making content accessible to everyone.

Online Training

Removing Barriers: Improving Digital Accessibility in the Public Sector

Session details

  • Master the fundamentals of digital accessibility by understanding WCAG 2.1 principles and compliance requirements.
  • Gain hands-on experience in designing inclusive web content, from text and multimedia to forms and PDFs.
  • Learn practical strategies to improve user engagement, accessibility, and compliance across public sector digital services.
View course modules

Level: Fundamentals

No previous experience necessary

Register Now Pricing options

Key Sessions

Welcome, Objectives, Outcomes and Tools

10:00 – 10:20

Unpacking the Guidelines and What it Means for Accessibility

10:20 – 11:05

Gain a clear understanding of WCAG 2.0 AA and WCAG 2.1 AA, including key terms, differences, and their impact on user accessibility and experience.

Break

11:05 – 11:15

Disability and Web Accessibility in Government Agencies

11:15 – 12:00

Explore the diverse types of disabilities, their impact on online experiences, and the unique accessibility challenges faced by government websites.

Lunch

12:00 – 12:30

Understanding Culturally and Linguistically Diverse Users and Users with Differing Literacy Levels

12:30 – 1:05

Learn how web accessibility can impact CALD users and those with differing literacy levels, and how WCAG guidelines can help create more inclusive online content.

Break

1:05 – 1:15

Understanding Your Users

1:15 – 2:15

Gain insights into user behavior through analytics, research, and feedback to identify diverse user groups and understand their needs and preferences.

Closing Remarks

2:15 – 2:30

DAY 2 | Thursday, 8 May 2025

Welcome & Recap

10:00 – 10:15

Personas and Problems

10:15 – 11:00

Learn how to create user personas, ask the right questions, define key challenges, and apply Human-Centred Design to improve accessibility solutions.

Break

11:00 – 11:15

Structure and Tone

11:15 – 12:00

Understand how people read online, the importance of plain English, and how to test and assess different formats for optimal accessibility.

Lunch

12:00 – 12:30

Temporary Disabilities and Neurodivergence

12:30 – 1:15

Explore the impact of temporary disabilities, contextual disabilities, and neurodivergence on the online user experience, and learn how to design for inclusivity.

Assistive Technologies

1:15 – 2:15

Discover how assistive technologies enable accessibility, and learn how to test and ensure digital content is compatible and functional for all users.

Closing Remarks & Feedback

2:15 – 2:30

Meet Your Facilitator

Mauricio Perez

​HCD Strategist and Accessibility Specialist | Good HCD

Mauricio is a Human-Centred Design (HCD) strategist based in Sydney, Australia, specialising in Service Design, User Experience (UX), and Customer Experience (CX).

Mauricio is dedicated to improving products and services by putting the needs of users, customers, citizens, and even staff at the core of the design process. His approach focuses on identifying the right problems through thorough research, analysis, and synthesis and delivering effective solutions through design, testing, and iteration.

With experience spanning the government, financial, health, and communications sectors, Mauricio brings a versatile and thoughtful perspective to every project. He is deeply passionate about accessibility, inclusivity, environmental sustainability, and ethical design practices, ensuring that his work creates meaningful and lasting impact.

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Join this training for professionals working within the Public Sector

Additional discounts are available for group registrations of 10 or more. For group or payment enquiries or custom training solutions, please contact [email protected]

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