Accessibility Compliance Checklist for Insurance
A checklist for reviewing physical and digital accessibility across your business to ensure compliance with the Disability Discrimination Act and accessibility standards.
Aligns with ASIC regulatory requirements, General Insurance Code of Practice, and AFSL obligations. Includes audit trail provisions.
Complete Checklist
- 1Assess physical access to the premises including parking, entrances, and rampsCritical
- 2Check that doorways, corridors, and aisles are wide enough for wheelchair access
- 3Verify that accessible bathroom facilities are available and properly maintained
- 4Review signage for visibility, readability, and Braille or tactile elements where required
- 5Check that lighting is adequate for people with low vision
- 6Assess the accessibility of customer service counters and point-of-sale areas
- 7Review the website for compliance with WCAG accessibility guidelinesCritical
- 8Check that online forms and booking systems are accessible to screen readers
- 9Verify that documents and communications are available in accessible formats
- 10Assess whether staff have been trained in assisting customers with disabilityCritical
- 11Review the reasonable adjustment process for employees with disability
- 12Check that emergency evacuation procedures include provisions for people with disability
- 13Review feedback from customers with disability and address any concerns raised
- 14Assess the accessibility of any events, meetings, or training sessions
- 15Document the review findings and create an accessibility improvement action planCritical
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the legal requirements for accessibility in Australian businesses?
The Disability Discrimination Act 1992 makes it unlawful to discriminate against a person with disability in the provision of goods, services, and facilities. The Disability Standards for Accessible Public Transport and the Disability Access to Premises Standards set specific requirements. The Australian Human Rights Commission also provides guidelines. Businesses must make reasonable adjustments to ensure access unless doing so would cause unjustifiable hardship.
How do we determine what constitutes unjustifiable hardship for accessibility improvements?
Unjustifiable hardship considers the nature of the benefit or detriment to the person with disability, the effect of the disability, the financial circumstances of the business, and the cost and nature of the adjustment. Small, low-cost improvements should always be implemented. Larger investments should be assessed proportionally. If in doubt, seek advice from the Australian Human Rights Commission or a disability access consultant.
What level of website accessibility should businesses aim for?
Australian businesses should aim for WCAG 2.1 Level AA compliance as a minimum. This covers requirements such as text alternatives for images, keyboard navigation, sufficient colour contrast, readable fonts, and compatibility with screen readers. The Disability Discrimination Act has been interpreted to apply to websites, and several businesses have faced complaints about inaccessible online services.
Need help implementing these checks into your daily operations?
Our team can build custom checklists integrated into your daily operations workflow.