Hong Kong’s accessibility laws
Understand Hong Kong’s digital accessibility requirements and learn what your organization must do to meet them. Whether you’re in the public or private sector, Deque can help you create digital experiences that are compliant and inclusive of everyone, including people with disabilities.
What are Hong Kong's digital accessibility laws and standards?
The Disability Discrimination Ordinance (DDO) of 1995 is a cornerstone of Hong Kong’s efforts to ensure that individuals with disabilities have equal access to public spaces, services, and digital platforms.
While Hong Kong does not have a specific digital accessibility law, the Equal Opportunities Commission (EOC) enforces WCAG 2.1 Level AA as the standard for digital accessibility, aligning with the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) developed by the World Wide Web Consortium (W3C).
Disability and digital accessibility in Hong Kong
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7.1% of Hong Kong’s population have a disability.
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Approximately 650 government websites (PDF) in Hong Kong have achieved Level AA compliance with the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) 2.0.
Why digital accessibility is right for your organization
The benefits of offering accessible products and services are wide-ranging and include:
Equality and inclusion
Being accessible ensures everyone, including individuals with disabilities, can engage with your digital services. This is vital for Hong Kong’s inclusive vision and compliance with the DDO.
Trust and loyalty
Prioritizing accessibility demonstrates your commitment to your users, customers, and community. Accessibility builds credibility and leads to increased trust and loyalty.
Innovation and competitiveness
Developing advanced accessibility solutions gives your organization a competitive edge. Building products and services that meet or exceed accessibility standards, such as WCAG 2.1, sets you apart from organizations that have not made appropriate investments in digital accessibility.
The risks of non-compliance
Failure to comply with the Disability Discrimination Ordinance (DDO) and WCAG standards can have serious consequences for your organization, including:
Fines
Failing to meet accessibility standards can result in penalties and legal action under the DDO.
Lawsuits
Non-compliance can lead to legal action from individuals or advocacy groups, damaging your organization’s reputation and negatively impacting your bottom line.
Loss of business
Inaccessible platforms can exclude a large portion of your audience, leading to lost revenue and other business opportunities.
Choose Deque for digital accessibility in Hong Kong
Regional experts
Deque has offices and employees worldwide with deep knowledge of local guidelines.
Strategic Consulting
Our Principal Strategy Consultants help build, run and improve the world’s largest digital accessibility programs.
Trusted and proven tools
Our axe accessibility testing tools are the defacto global standard with 875,000+ installs
Frequently asked questions
Hong Kong’s Disability Discrimination Ordinance (DDO) ensures equal access to public services and digital platforms for individuals with disabilities. The EOC enforces WCAG 2.1 Level AA as the standard for digital accessibility.
No, it is not mandatory. However, while not explicitly legislated, compliance with WCAG 2.1 Level AA is strongly recommended to avoid legal risks under the DDO. Non-compliance can result in fines, lawsuits, and reputational damage.
Aligning with WCAG web content accessibility guidelines ensures that your digital content is inclusive, user-friendly, and compliant with global standards. It also helps you reach a wider audience and build a stronger, more trusted brand.