When Accessibility Was Ignored in Australia — and Why TechDefined Is Fixing It

Australia’s Accessibility Problem

For too long, accessibility in Australia’s digital world was an afterthought. Many websites still exclude users with disabilities — missing alt text, poor colour contrast, unlabelled buttons, and clunky navigation that screen readers can’t interpret.

At TechDefined, we see the impact of this every day. It’s not just a technical failure — it’s a human one. When digital spaces aren’t inclusive, people are locked out of information, services, and opportunities. And that exclusion has real consequences.

When Ignoring Accessibility Turned Into Discrimination

In the early 2000s, Australia made headlines when a blind user successfully challenged a national event website for being inaccessible. That case sent shockwaves through the industry — proving digital discrimination was real.

But two decades later, the same mistakes are still happening.

1. The Coles Accessibility Complaint (2024)

A visually-impaired shopper lodged a formal complaint against Coles, claiming the company’s online grocery site was unusable with a screen reader. This wasn’t a small oversight — it was a reminder that even Australia’s biggest retailers are vulnerable if accessibility isn’t prioritised.

The case reignited conversation nationwide about how businesses treat accessibility — not as an optional feature, but as a customer right.

2. The 2025 Accessibility Guidelines Update

In April 2025, the Australian Human Rights Commission (AHRC) released new Guidelines on Equal Access to Digital Goods and Services, confirming that all digital experiences — websites, mobile apps, kiosks, and even AI-based tools — must comply with the Disability Discrimination Act 1992 (DDA).

These updates make it clear:

• Accessibility isn’t optional — it’s enforceable.

• The standard is now WCAG 2.2, Level AA, applying across digital services.

• Businesses are expected to build accessibility into every stage of design and development.

Ignoring this isn’t just risky — it’s negligent.

Where TechDefined Steps In

This is where TechDefined is changing the game.

While many companies stop at audits, we go further — we fix accessibility problems at their root and ensure compliance across every page, app, and platform.

Here’s how we’re different:✅ Comprehensive Accessibility Audits — We scan, test, and report every issue blocking compliance with WCAG 2.2.✅ Implementation & Fixes — We don’t just highlight issues; we repair them for you.✅ Education & Training — We help Australian businesses understand accessibility — from their developers to their directors.✅ Continuous Monitoring — TechDefined ensures you stay compliant as standards evolve.

Our goal is simple: make accessibility easy, actionable, and embedded in how Australian businesses operate.

Why This Matters for Every Australian Business

When a retailer as large as Coles faces accessibility complaints, smaller businesses should take notice. The new AHRC guidelines mean every digital service — from a booking form to an eCommerce checkout — must be inclusive.

Accessibility now defines professionalism.And compliance isn’t about fear of lawsuits — it’s about showing that your business stands for inclusion and equality.

TechDefined exists to bridge that gap — turning accessibility from a problem into a point of pride.

TechDefined’s Mission: A Future Without Digital Barriers

At TechDefined, we believe accessibility is the heart of modern technology.We don’t just talk about inclusion — we build it.

From websites to mobile apps, our mission is to ensure every Australian business offers a digital experience that’s accessible to all users — regardless of ability.

Because accessibility isn’t charity — it’s equality. And TechDefined is here to make it happen.

Final Thoughts

Australia’s accessibility failures have shown what happens when inclusion is ignored. But now, with new legal clarity and growing public awareness, there’s no excuse.

If your website or digital service isn’t accessible yet — the time to fix it is now.TechDefined can audit, repair, and future-proof your entire digital presence, so your brand stands on the right side of progress.

👉 Book an accessibility consultation with TechDefined today — and let’s make the internet truly work for everyone.

for your users, your brand, and Australia’s digital future.