ITU Releases Global ICT Accessibility Report

- The report urges the mainstreaming of ICT accessibility from the start of digital transformation projects, embedding it in policies, regulations, and technology design rather than treating it as an afterthought. This includes a focus on universal design principles to ensure digital products and services are usable by the widest possible range of individuals. - In the United States, public colleges and universities are facing a critical April 2026 deadline to comply with the Department of Justice's new rule under Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), which mandates that all web content and mobile apps meet the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) 2.1 AA standards. - Higher education institutions in the UK are legally required to ensure their digital resources are accessible under The Public Sector Bodies Accessibility Regulations 2018. A 2024 survey indicated that 89% of UK higher education institutions are motivated by legal requirements to deliver digital accessibility, though 44% did not anticipate an increase in their accessibility spending for the year. - Australian universities are bound by the Disability Discrimination Act 1992 (DDA), which prohibits discrimination against students with disabilities and requires accessible web and mobile resources. To support this, a guide on procuring accessible ICT has been developed for the higher education sector, emphasizing the adoption of AS EN 301 549 and WCAG 2.1 standards in procurement processes. - In New Zealand, the Human Rights Act 1993 and the Bill of Rights Act 1990 ensure equal access to digital services for people with disabilities. The government is also moving to replace the Web Accessibility Standard with a broader Digital Accessibility Standard based on the European standard EN 301 549, which will cover websites, mobile apps, and digital documents. - Emerging assistive technologies are increasingly being integrated into learning management systems to enhance accessibility. These include AI-powered tools for personalized learning paths and real-time support, as well as speech-to-text and text-to-speech software. - Procurement of accessible technology is a key focus for universities, with a shift towards requiring vendors to meet accessibility standards by default. In Australia, the Council of Australasian University Directors of Information Technology (CAUDIT) provides strategic guidance to universities on procuring ICT products and services with accessibility as a core criterion. - Recent budget announcements in New Zealand for 2025-2026 include a 3% tuition subsidy increase for targeted priority provisions and allow for a potential 6% increase in student loan-funded fees, which may impact university budgets for resources and technology. Overall tertiary education funding in New Zealand saw a 5.3% increase in tuition and training subsidies in the 2023 budget to maintain quality and accessibility.