New Zealand

Two research projects designed to indicate the accessibility of government websites were commissioned by the Office for Disability Issues in 2005 and 2006. AccEase Ltd conducted the research, using a methology that emphased disabled people using websites and reporting on their experiences. The results from this research informed reporting on implementation of the New Zealand Disability Strategy, and assisted the State Services Commission monitor implementation of the New Zealand government Web Guidelines and Web Standards.

The e-GIF is a collection of policies and standards endorsed for New Zealand government information technology (IT) systems. It has the following benefits: 1) Helps government agencies more easily work together electronically; 2) Makes systems, knowledge and experience reusable from one agency to another; and 3) Reduces the effort required to deal with government online by encouraging consistency of approach.