Why Accessibility Matters in Government Communications

· By Accessr

Accessibility isn’t just about meeting technical standards — it’s about ensuring that everyone can read, understand, and use information that affects their lives. When government communications are accessible, they uphold transparency, equality, and public trust.

Inaccessible communication excludes citizens. It limits access to essential services, legal rights, and public information — all of which governments are required to make available to everyone.

1. Accessibility is a legal and ethical responsibility

Across Australia and internationally, accessibility in public communication is a legal requirement. In Australia, the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) are mandated under the Disability Discrimination Act 1992. This applies not only to websites but also to downloadable documents such as Word and PDF files. When a government agency posts an inaccessible report, it may be in breach of federal law.

2. Accessible content improves clarity for everyone

Good accessibility equals good communication. Features like clear headings, structured tables, descriptive links, and alt text make content easier to scan and understand — even for readers who aren’t using assistive technology. Plain language, readable formatting, and consistent structure benefit everyone from policy experts to the general public.

3. Accessibility builds trust and transparency

Governments communicate to serve the public. Citizens expect that vital information — from health updates to infrastructure plans — will be presented clearly and equitably. Accessibility reinforces trust by ensuring that no group is unintentionally excluded. It also demonstrates responsible stewardship of taxpayer resources: an accessible document serves more people and avoids costly rework later.

4. Common accessibility issues in government documents

  • Using visual formatting (bold, colour) instead of real heading styles.
  • Images without alt text or captions describing their purpose.
  • Tables missing header rows or cell relationships.
  • Links that read “click here” instead of meaningful text.
  • Unlabeled charts or diagrams with key information locked in images.

5. How to make government documents accessible

  1. Use true headings: apply built-in Heading 1–3 styles in Word.
  2. Write descriptive links: make link text meaningful out of context.
  3. Add alt text: describe purpose, not appearance.
  4. Use table headers: mark the first row as a header in Word.
  5. Set document language: ensures screen readers use correct pronunciation.
  6. Export correctly: when saving as PDF, ensure “Document structure tags for accessibility” is ticked.

For organisations handling high volumes of reports, templates, or public notices, running quick accessibility checks can prevent most issues before publication.

Try this: Upload your document to Accessr.net — a free, client-side tool that checks and fixes accessibility issues in Word (.docx) files. It runs entirely in your browser, with no uploads or data collection.

6. Accessibility is good policy

Accessibility ensures that digital transformation doesn’t leave anyone behind. It’s not an extra feature or a compliance checkbox — it’s core to effective governance and public service. When every citizen can access, understand, and act on public information, society functions more fairly and efficiently.

Key takeaways

  • Accessibility is a legal requirement under Australian and global standards.
  • Accessible design improves usability and trust for all audiences.
  • Checking and fixing issues early saves time and reduces risk.
  • Tools like Accessr make it easy to start today.