[LINK] Fwd: Blind and low vision community neglected in My Health Record opt-out process | Vision Australia

[JLWhitaker]

Remember accessibility? I guess ADHA forgot.


-------- Forwarded Message --------
Subject: 	Blind and low vision community neglected in My Health Record 
opt-out process | Vision Australia
Date: 	Tue, 24 Jul 2018 07:19:20 +1000
From: 	Helen Yoxall <helenyoxall at bigpond.com>
To: 	apfhealth at privacy.org.au



Blind and low vision community neglected in My Health Record opt-out 
process | Vision Australia. Blindness and low vision services

https://www.visionaustralia.org/community/news/my-health-record-opt-out-accessibility


  Blind and low vision community neglected in My Health Record opt-out
  process

23 July 2018

Leading blindness and low vision service provider Vision Australia has 
expressed extreme frustration that the My Health Record online opt-out 
option cannot be accessed by all people who are blind or have low vision.

Australians have until October 15 to opt out of My Health Record. If an 
individual does not opt out by that date they will automatically be 
given an online My Health Record, which could contain clinical 
documents, prescriptions and other private medical information.

People who are blind or have low vision cannot use the online opt-out 
option because it fails to meet accessibility standards.

Vision Australia Policy Advisor Kate Begley said it’s inexcusable that 
accessibility was not better considered by the Australian Digital Health 
Agency prior to the roll out of the opt-out process.

“When the My Health Record idea was first flagged in 2011, Vision 
Australia advised that all parts of the system must be accessible to 
people who are blind or have low vision. Despite the seven years of 
planning, a key part of the system is inaccessible,” Ms Begley said.

“Everybody should be able to control their personal information and 
people who are blind or have low vision should be given the opportunity 
to participate in this process with the same ease and convenience as 
anyone else,” she said.

Several parts of the online opt-out system are incompatible with 
screen-reading software and other adaptive technologies used by many 
people who are blind or have low vision. Vision Australia believes the 
My Health Record portal does not comply with Web Content Accessibility 
Guidelines, which is the national and international benchmark for web 
accessibility, as well as being the Australian Government's own standard.

While there is also a telephone option to opt-out, Ms Begley said it 
does not afford people who are blind or have low vision the same 
convenience as the online option.

“The telephone option is not available 24/7, it requires people to 
explain their decision to opt out and to explain why they haven't opted 
out via the online system.”

Ms Begley said Vision Australia is also extremely concerned as to 
whether the content of the My Health Records will be accessible and said 
the situation highlights the need for a greater focus on accessibility.

“Incorporating accessibility is not difficult. It would not take a great 
deal of time or effort to fix the accessibility issues that prevent 
equal access to opting out of My Health Record. Unfortunately, as we see 
all too often, accessibility has not been prioritised when developing 
this process.”

Media enquiries: Vision Australia Communications Advisor Phil McCarroll 
– 0416 632 253 <tel:0416%20632%20253>.