Christchurch Website Accessibility Bylaw Checklist
Christchurch, Canterbury organisations must consider website accessibility as part of inclusive service delivery and council expectations. This checklist explains local policy references, practical steps to reach WCAG standards, how to report accessibility failures, and where Christchurch City Council and national digital accessibility standards apply. Use the actions below to audit sites, prioritise fixes, document evidence and raise complaints with the council or national agencies.
Scope & Legal Context
Christchurch City Council publishes a Disability Inclusion Action Plan and accessibility commitments that guide council services and expectations for suppliers. For government digital accessibility standards and WCAG guidance, national standards apply to public-facing services and are referenced by local policy Christchurch Disability Inclusion Action Plan[1] and by central government guidance Digital Government accessibility guidance[2].
Checklist - Audit, Fix, Maintain
- Conduct an initial WCAG 2.1 AA audit (automated tools plus manual keyboard and screen-reader tests).
- Document accessibility statement, published remediation plan and timelines on the site.
- Prioritise fixes by user impact: navigation, forms, media captions and semantic markup.
- Allocate budget for ongoing compliance, monitoring and staff training.
- Keep test evidence, user reports and change logs for inspections or complaints.
Penalties & Enforcement
Christchurch City Council’s Disability Inclusion Action Plan sets expectations for accessibility in council services; specific monetary fines for web accessibility are not specified on the cited council pages. Enforcement routes and remedies for accessibility-related discrimination at national level are handled under human-rights frameworks, while the council manages service complaints and supplier expectations. For council reporting and complaints, use the council contact and reporting pages Report a problem or request (Christchurch City Council)[3].
- Fine amounts: not specified on the cited council pages.
- Escalation (first/repeat/continuing offences): not specified on the cited council pages.
- Non-monetary sanctions: likely remedial orders, contractual sanctions or corrective actions; specific measures not specified on the cited pages.
- Enforcer: Christchurch City Council for council services and contracts; national bodies handle discrimination complaints under human-rights legislation.
- Inspection and complaint pathway: submit a service complaint via the council reporting page or pursue national complaint routes for discrimination.
- Appeal/review: not specified on the cited council pages; follow council complaint resolution steps or national review mechanisms for human-rights complaints.
- Defences/discretion: reasonable excuse or approved exceptions are not specified on the cited pages; seek formal exemptions or procurement variances through council procurement or contract teams.
Applications & Forms
The council does not publish a specific accessibility permit form for websites on the cited pages; internal procurement and supplier contracts typically require accessibility commitments under supplier terms. For formal complaints, use the council report page linked above[3].
Action Steps - What to Do Now
- Run an automated WCAG scan within 7 days and log results.
- Create a prioritized remediation plan with estimated timelines and responsibilities.
- Publish an accessibility statement and contact point for feedback.
- If users report barriers, escalate to the council service contact or lodge a formal complaint.
FAQ
- Do Christchurch bylaws require WCAG compliance for private websites?
- Christchurch City Council policy documents set accessibility expectations for council services and suppliers; specific bylaws mandating WCAG compliance for private websites are not specified on the cited council pages.
- Who enforces accessibility complaints in Christchurch?
- For council services use the Christchurch City Council reporting channels; for discrimination-based complaints national human-rights mechanisms apply.
- How can I request an accessibility exemption or extension?
- Request procurement or contract-based variances through the council procurement contact; no public exemption form is published on the cited pages.
How-To
- Scope your site and list public-facing pages, forms and media for audit.
- Run automated WCAG 2.1 AA tests and export reports.
- Perform manual keyboard and screen-reader checks on high-risk pages.
- Prioritise fixes by severity and implement remediations in sprints.
- Publish an accessibility statement with contact details and remediation timelines.
- Monitor user feedback and report persistent barriers to the council or national bodies as appropriate.
Key Takeaways
- Christchurch policy sets expectations; specific fines or statutory penalties for web accessibility are not detailed on the cited council pages.
- Combine automated and manual testing and keep evidence of fixes and user reports.
- Use council reporting channels for service complaints and national human-rights routes for discrimination issues.
Help and Support / Resources
- Christchurch City Council - Report a problem or request
- Christchurch Disability Inclusion Action Plan
- Digital Government - Accessibility guidance
- Human Rights Commission (New Zealand)