WCAG 2.0 Level AA Checklist result of engagement and partnership.
The APS Academy is committed to engagement and partnership as a model for creating common learning solutions that are scalable and can be adapt to different contexts. We are committed to ‘walking the talk’, and a good example of how we are doing this is the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) 2.0 Level AA Checklist, which has been created as a framework for designing accessible and inclusive learning.
The APS Academy is adopting the ‘continuous learning model’ set out in the APS Learning and Development Strategy. As part of embedding this model, we are developing a Learning Design and Quality Assurance Framework. This framework will consist of a set of quality standards for key learning and development activities, and has been co-created with areas of expertise in the APS network.
A key part of developing an effective Quality Assurance Framework is ensuring all learning and development activities delivered across the APS comply with the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines 2.0 Level AA, as mandated by the Government.
Services Australia has significant expertise in creating standards for designing accessible learning and has been an essential partner in this work. The APSC’s Enabling and Digital Services team, formerly part of the Digital Transformation Office, were also engaged for advice on digital content accessibility.
The result of this intensive and intentional collaboration, the WCAG 2.0 Level AA Checklist, sets out easy to understand advice for designing accessible learning with links to information and tools to support accessible learning and development practice. It will be, co-branded under the APS Academy and Services Australia logos.
The next phase of delivery will be a pilot of the checklist by the Australian Taxation Office. Once finalised, the checklist will be the key standard for publishing resources from the wider learning community to the APS Academy.
Engagement and partnership across the APS is an essential way of working for the APS Academy in our mission to provide effective, scalable and accessible learning to anyone, anytime, anywhere.
We have created this checklist in a collaborative manner with the intention of furthering the principles of accessibility and inclusion as standards for the APS learning and development network. The project is a great example of how engagement and partnerships in the APS network and beyond, can drive high quality, impactful and contemporary learning and development practices in the APS.
The checklist will be launched on our website soon, so be sure to keep an eye out or subscribe to the APS Academy monthly newsletter to be notified.