Ministry of Science and ICT to help people with disabilities, older adults use websites more easily

2024.06.10. The Fair Economy — The Ministry of Science and ICT said on the 10th that it has drawn up an amendment to the Enforcement Rules of the Framework Act on Intelligent Informatization aimed at improving information accessibility and convenience for digitally vulnerable groups such as people with disabilities and older adults, and that it will pre-announce the proposed legislation through July 22 to gather opinions from stakeholders and the public.

Information accessibility refers to the ability of individuals, including people with disabilities and older adults, to use information and communications services and products without being hindered by physical constraints such as visual or hearing impairments, or by cognitive constraints.

The amendment improves the detailed standards for information and communications accessibility quality certification, with provisions designed to let people with disabilities and older adults use websites easily without being hindered by physical or cognitive constraints.

Information and communications accessibility quality certification is granted under Article 47 of the Framework Act on Intelligent Informatization to wired and wireless information and communications services that meet accessibility standards so that people with disabilities and older adults can use them without inconvenience.

Specifically, in step with advances in digital technology, the number of review items to be considered in website accessibility quality certification has been expanded from 22 to 33. The amendment requires larger user input fields so that users with hand tremors can more easily operate web pages, and requires that a variety of authentication methods be offered so that users who have difficulty with memory or reading can more easily complete authentication processes such as logging in, using patterns or fingerprints instead.

The amendment also sets out detailed standards for calculating the fees paid to obtain website accessibility quality certification in the enforcement rules, in order to guarantee the public's right to know and to enhance the legal stability and transparency of certification work.

Song Sang-hun, director general for information and communications policy at the Ministry of Science and ICT, said, "This amendment improves the standards for information and communications accessibility quality certification in line with newly revised international and national standards. Going forward, we will continue to pursue broad digital inclusion policies so that all citizens can benefit from digital technology that is changing by the day, while carefully ensuring that people with disabilities and older adults are not left behind."

The full text of the amendment can be found on the Ministry of Science and ICT's website (www.msit.go.kr) or on the National Public Legislation Participation Center (opinion.lawmaking.go.kr).

Agencies, organizations or individuals with opinions on the amendment may submit them by July 22. After undergoing legal review and other procedures, the amendment is expected to take effect on September 1 once finalized.