(Hong Kong – 20th March 2018) “Web Accessibility Recognition Scheme 2018” (The Scheme), which is aimed to recognise local enterprises and organisations for adopting accessibility design in their websites and mobile applications, held its launch ceremony and briefing session today. The Scheme is now call for enterprises and organisations’ application until 20 April (Friday). Since 2018, Hong Kong Internet Registration Corporation Limited (HKIRC) has taken up to organise the new round of The Scheme, co-organised by the Office of Government Chief Information Officer (OGCIO) while the Equal Opportunities Commission (EOC) serves as the independent advisor. The new round of The Scheme has launched a brand-new logo and recognition, while veteran journalist Ms Akina Fong is appointed as the Scheme Ambassador. All these new features aim to encourage more enterprises and organisations to adopt accessibility design in their websites and mobile applications, and to promote digital inclusion in the city.
Honourable guests from the government and technology sector officiated the launch ceremony today, including Ir Allen Yeung, JP, Government Chief Information Officer, HKSAR, Mr Simon Chan, Chairman of HKIRC, Dr Ferrick Chu, Director (Policy, Research and Training), Equal Opportunities Commission, Hon. Charles Peter Mok, JP, Legislative Councilor (Functional Constituency – Information Technology) and Prof Erwin Huang, Deputy Chairman of HKIRC.
New Recognition Promotes Web Accessibility Design; Brand-New Logo Marks a New Milestone for the Scheme
The new round of “Web Accessibility Recognition Scheme 2018” is organised by Hong Kong Internet Registration Corporation Limited for the first time. With its extensive customer network, HKIRC can effectively promote the adoption of accessibility design in websites and mobile applications by enterprises and organisations. The Scheme offers two streams for application: Website Stream and Mobile App Stream. In each stream, there are gold, silver and triple gold award respectively. To further promote the enrolment of enterprises and organisations of all sizes, “Friendly Website” and “Friendly Mobile App” is newly added to each stream this year, which serves as an entry-level recognition for young enterprises and organisations. The Scheme also presents awards and recognitions namely “Designer Award” and “Recognised Designer” for website or mobile app developers.
The organiser also unveiled a brand-new logo marking a remarkable milestone for the Scheme. Awarded or recognised enterprises and organisations can put the respective logo on their website to show their support for The Scheme. Through adopting web accessibility design, companies and organisations not only take care of the needs of accessing information online for everyone, including groups with special needs, but also fulfil social responsibility, project positive corporate image as well as reaching more customers by making online services easy-to-use and easy-to-search by everyone. The good coding practices of web accessibility design allow online services easier-to-maintain and contribute to building a caring and inclusive society.
The application of “Web Accessibility Recognition Scheme 2018” is now open until 20th April. Result announcement and award presentation ceremony is scheduled in June tentatively. Participated organisations will receive complimentary assessment and advisory services, which aims to assist them to better understand the judging criteria and accreditations, as well as offering technology advices.
Joint Hands in the Community to Empower Digital Inclusion
Dr Ferrick Chu, Director (Policy, Research and Training), Equal Opportunities Commission, welcomed the Scheme, “I’m glad to see HKIRC organising the ‘Web Accessibility Recognition Scheme 2018’, which EOC will be fully supporting. I hope that through concerted efforts by HKIRC, the government, disability organisations and stakeholders from the technology sector, Hong Kong can achieve new height in promoting accessibility websites and mobile applications, hence engaging more technology practitioners in the design process.”
Mr Simon Chan, Chairman of Hong Kong Internet Registration Corporation Limited, said, “HKIRC is honoured to take up the role as the organiser of ‘Web Accessibility Recognition Scheme’ this year. Through our extensive client network, our close relationship with the industries and technological know-how, we are able to provide the relevant support to better promote web accessibility design to enterprises and organisations. By adopting that in their websites and mobile applications, companies and organisations not only take care of everyone’s needs, but also help build a harmonious, caring and inclusive society.”
(From left) Prof Erwin Huang, Deputy Chairman of HKIRC, Dr Ferrick Chu, Director (Policy, Research and Training), Equal Opportunities Commission, Ir Allen Yeung, JP, Government Chief Information Officer, HKSAR, Mr Simon Chan, Chairman of HKIRC, Hon. Charles Peter Mok, JP, Legislative Councilor (Functional Constituency – Information Technology), and Ms Akina Fong, the ambassador of “Web Accessibility Recognition Scheme 2018”, officiated the launch ceremony today and unveiled the brand-new recognition logo, marking a new milestone of the scheme.
Prof Erwin Huang, Deputy Chairman of HKIRC announced that Ms Akina Fong is appointed as the ambassador of “Web Accessibility Recognition Scheme 2018” in order to encourage more enterprises and organisations to adopt accessibility design in their websites and mobile applications, and to promote digital inclusion in the city.
About “Web Accessibility Recognition Scheme 2018”
Web Accessibility Recognition Scheme 2018 provides various awards and recognitions divided into 3 categories: website, mobile application and designer awards. Awarded or recognised enterprises and organisations can place the respective recognition logo on their websites to show their support for the Scheme, fulfil social responsibility and project positive corporate image.
The new round of the “Web Accessibility Recognition Scheme” is organised by Hong Kong Internet Registration Corporation Limited (HKIRC) in 2018. The Scheme is co-organised by the Office of Government Chief Information Officer (OGCIO) while the Equal Opportunities Commission (EOC) serves as the independent advisor. The previous four rounds (2013-2016) of Web Accessibility Recognition Scheme (Scheme) were jointly organised by the OGCIO and the EOC.