Draft ECOWAS ICT Accessibility Policy (2018) v1 post Burkina Faso and Gambia Workshops
(c) Encouraging private entities that offer web sites services, applications, and
content to the public to take into account all aspects of accessibility for PwD,
on a voluntary basis;
(d) Defining an institutional and administrative framework to ensure effective
coordination with international standard development organizations to
promote web accessibility standards among all relevant stakeholders;
(e) Providing guidance and incentives for education institutions and professional
societies to develop courses for computer science students and information
technology professionals about web accessibility;
(f) Promote awareness among stakeholders on the web accessibility
requirements.
The ECOWAS and Member States will ensure that electronic documents available on
public sector websites are accessible to ensure that PwD can access on an equal basis
with others all public information available in electronic documents or any fill-in form
required to complete administrative processes. For the purpose of this policy, “electronic
document” refers to downloadable files which may be consulted, printed or filled off-line
or on-line by users.
All agencies managing websites for the ECOWAS and for ECOWAS Member States
should ensure that all personnel creating documents is aware, trained and proficient in
creating accessible documents and using accessibility checkers embedded in
mainstream office productivity software including word processors, spreadsheet,
presentation and other commonly used document creation tools.
7.4.4
Implementation
The ECOWAS recognises the Web Accessibility standards developed through ISO/IEC
40500:2012, and WCAG 2.0. The WCAG 2.0 sets out guidelines that further clarify the
purpose of each of these four principles. Each guideline has a number of success
criteria, which provide a means for checking conformance to each guideline. ECOWAS
Member States will consider the application of WCAG 2.0 or WCAG 2.1 level AA
conformance requirements, and any amendments thereto, in their jurisdictions.
Member States shall seek to enroll the support of industry and professional associations
to issue voluntary codes of conduct reflecting conformance objectives and timelines for
public sector web sites as an initial focus immediately, and private sector websites as a
focus in 3 years.
The ECOWAS will adopt a symbol or symbols for use on websites in the region, to
highlight their e-accessibility. To the extent possible, this symbol or symbols will be
aligned with global standards and initiatives in this regard so that any person landing on
a website created or hosted in West Africa will immediately know if the website is
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