Accessibility

Last updated: 14 July 2026

Our commitment

We want people to be able to use how2vote regardless of disability, device, input method, browser or assistive technology.

We aim to meet the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) 2.2 at Level AA and to provide equal access to the Service consistently with the Disability Discrimination Act 1992 (Cth).

WCAG conformance supports accessibility, but it does not replace our obligation to respond to an individual barrier or provide a reasonable alternative where needed.

Current conformance status

The Service is being tested against WCAG 2.2 Level AA. We do not claim full conformance until the complete user journey has been tested and material issues have been remediated.

Testing must cover the quiz, electorate selection, comparison results, manual preference-order builder, saved and shared plans, print and download functions, consent controls, feedback forms and privacy settings.

Accessibility features

The Service is designed to provide:

semantic headings, landmarks, labels and instructions;
full keyboard access with a visible focus indicator;
no requirement to use drag-and-drop, a pointer device, colour or visual maps;
text search as an alternative to electorate maps;
high text contrast and content that reflows at high zoom and on small screens;
controls with accessible names, states and error messages;
screen-reader announcements when answers or preference positions change;
controls to move a candidate or group up or down and to enter a number directly;
reduced-motion support;
saved progress so information does not need to be entered repeatedly; and
an accessible HTML version of a voting plan, even where a printable or image version is also provided.

Manual preference ordering

The preference-order builder is usable without dragging. Keyboard and screen-reader users can choose numbers directly or use labelled move-up and move-down controls.

The Service identifies duplicate, missing or incomplete numbers in text and does not rely on colour alone. Focus moves to, or a summary links to, the relevant issue.

Known and potential limitations

The following areas require particular testing and may create limitations if not implemented correctly:

electorate maps, which remain optional and have a complete text alternative;
long Senate candidate lists and preference-order controls;
print, PDF or image versions of a voting plan;
third-party form protection such as Google reCAPTCHA; and
content or data supplied by third parties.

A plain HTML plan and direct email and telephone contact are available as alternatives to inaccessible download or form functions.

Feedback and alternative formats

If any part of the Service is difficult to use, please tell us what page or step you were using, what went wrong, and the browser or assistive technology involved if you are comfortable providing that information.

You can also ask for information in a different accessible format.

Email: [email protected]
Telephone: 1300 800 855

We aim to acknowledge accessibility feedback within five business days and to provide a response or practical alternative as soon as reasonably possible.

Escalating a complaint

We will try to resolve accessibility concerns directly. If you are not satisfied, you may make a complaint to the Australian Human Rights Commission or seek other available remedies.

Review

This statement and the Service's accessibility are reviewed:

before each supported election;
after a material change to the quiz, results, plan builder or third-party services;
after a significant accessibility complaint; and
at least annually.