Independent MLA Thomas Emerson is calling for the ACT Government to uphold its commitment to universal design in all government projects and services.

Evidence provided to an Assembly inquiry reveals that Transport Canberra decided not to engage an accessibility specialist before launching the new MyWay+ system. Some people with visual impairment cannot use the MyWay+ website, while others who are hard of hearing have reported being unable to decipher on-board announcements. The specialist that was considered in August 2024, Get Skilled Access, has since been engaged to conduct a “comprehensive accessibility review”, and is only now fully assessing accessibility compliance. 

A key principle in the ACT Disability Strategy 2024-2033, released last April, is ‘universal design’. The Strategy states that this requires “the design of products and environments to be usable by all people, to the greatest extent possible, without need for adaptation or specialised design … for people with disability to have access to the same quality of service and barrier free experience as the wider ACT community.” 

Mr Emerson has argued that MyWay+ breaches multiple pieces of anti-discrimination legislation, and referred the matter to the ACT Human Rights Commission in early April. He is now calling for the ACT Government to make a firm commitment to ensuring universal design principles are implemented across all future projects. 

“Universal design would have prevented the disability discrimination that is inherent in how MyWay+ has been rolled out,” said Mr Emerson.

“Accessibility needs to be embedded in product design from the outset, rather than being tacked on as an afterthought. The ACT Government needs to follow its own strategy.”

According to a review provided to the inquiry, a decision was made that a ‘minimum viable product’ was acceptable for the system to go live, with further capabilities to be delivered after the launch date. 

“The Project Assured review states that Transport Canberra and NEC agreed to release a ‘minimum viable product’ with ‘acceptable useability’ in order to meet deadlines”, said Mr Emerson.

“Minimum viable product for whom? Acceptable useability for whom?

”Transport Canberra knowingly chose to prioritise speed over accessibility. People with disability should not be the collateral damage of the Government’s attempts to preserve its own image.”

Questions asked through the inquiry also revealed a specific requirement for web accessibility was stated in the procurement contract, despite this not being delivered before the MyWay+ ‘go live’ date. 

“How could a contract with a clear reference to the needs of people with disability lead to a ’minimum viable product’ that excluded them? This is a complete failure of project management,” said Mr Emerson.

”Moving forward, the Government must stick to its own legislation, and ensure universal design principles are properly implemented so this never happens again.”