Accessibility Statement

Web accessibility refers to the inclusive design and development of websites, digital tools, and technologies. 

This interim accessibility statement is for the Change is Possible website at www.changeispossible.org.nzopen_in_new.

Web accessibility:

  • enables disabled people to equally access, understand, use, contribute to, and take part on the web
  • helps to remove digital barriers to disabled people
  • benefits people without disabilities, promoting social inclusion for all.

How the Ministry of Social Development (MSD) supports accessibility and usability

We support accessibility by:

  • providing alternate formats when requested
  • including digital accessibility in our policies
  • training our staff in digital accessibility
  • checking our websites for issues, keeping track of issues, and fixing them
  • responding positively to accessibility complaints
  • working to meet the NZ Government Web Standardsopen_in_new.

Accessibility Charter

MSD has signed the Accessibility Charteropen_in_new as a commitment to providing accessible information to the public.

Meeting the NZ Government Web Standards

The NZ Government Web Standards, which include the Web Accessibility Standard and the Web Usability Standard, define our requirements for web accessibility.

NZ Government Web Accessibility Standard 1.2open_in_new

NZ Government Web Usability Standard 1.4open_in_new 

The Web Accessibility Standard requires meeting the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) 2.2 Level AA. These are the standards and level that we are working to comply with.

Content that is not accessible

There are some accessibility issues that we have not been able to fix before the website launched. The known accessibility issues are:

  • The videos do not have audio descriptions.
  • Some links do not describe the purpose of the destination link. 

 

Issues with third-party products

This website uses third-party products that have known accessibility issues. Where possible, we work with products' providers to improve their accessibility.

We encourage you to review the providers' accessibility statements and give feedback on your experiences with these products. 

 

 Live Chat

Whakarongorau provides the Live Chat services, supplied by Valentia Technologies. 

Read Telehealth servicesopen_in_new and Spectrum | Valentia Technologiesopen_in_new together with this accessibility statement. 

  • The Live Chat edit box does not have a label. 
  • The Live Chat does not have accessible names for the regions. 

Compatibility with browsers and assistive technologies

This website was designed to work with common browsers and assistive technologies. It has been tested with:

  • Safari with VoiceOver on iOS version 26.3.1
  • Google Chrome 145.0.7632.162 and Microsoft Edge 145.0.3800.65 with JAWS on Windows 11
  • Google Chrome 145.0.7632.162 and Microsoft Edge 145.0.3800.65 with NVDA on Windows 11
  • Google Chrome 145.0.7632.162 and Microsoft Edge 145.0.3800.65 with keyboard-only input on Windows 11.

Assessment approach

We last audited the accessibility of this website in January 2026 by:

  • evaluating selected pages against WCAG 2.2 at Level AA
  • testing selected pages with assistive technologies.

Contact us

Contact us at changeispossible@msd.govt.nz if you:

  • have any accessibility issues on this website
  • need information in alternate formats
  • need the information in a different file format.

We aim to respond within 48 hours.

Alternate formats

We can provide information in alternate formats. You can ask for formats in:

  • Easy Read
  • New Zealand Sign Language (NZSL)
  • Braille
  • Audio
  • Large print.

When you contact us, make sure your message includes:

  • the web page (URL) of the information you need
  • the alternate format you need, for example, Braille.

Formal accessibility complaints

To make a formal complaint, follow the complaints information on our websiteopen_in_new.

If you're not satisfied with our response to your complaint, you can make a further complaint to the Human Rights Commissionopen_in_new or the Ombudsman New Zealandopen_in_new.

Approver of this statement

Digital Accessibility Team
Ministry of Social Development
Te Manatū Whakahiato Ora

Last statement review date

16 March 2026