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Bushfire warnings for all
The Barrier
The low vision and blindness community in NSW was ‘terrified their lives and properties could be at risk’ during high alert fire season when a popular bushfire app became inaccessible following a simple software update. The state government’s Hazards Near Me app exists to provide fire and flood warnings to all residents, but lost its screen-reader compatibility in October last year, meaning people with blindness or low vision could no longer access and receive the life-saving warnings.
Kimberlee Brooker, who’s had low vision since she was five, said she felt “completely unprepared” in her home, which borders fire-prone bushland near Sydney. With upwards of 60 fires often burning in a single day across NSW during the campaign period, and Clients struggling to get hold of the state government to fix the issue, the risk was real.
“It makes me really worried to not have access to this app as I feel completely unprepared and it has taken my independence away. The frustrating thing is this app used to be compatitble with screen readers so it’s such a step backwards, a programming fix would help alleviate so much stress for many in my position heading into such a dangerous season like this. It puts you in a really scary situation,” Kimberlee said.
The Solution
Upon hearing from our regional and rural Clients that this crucial app had become inaccessible, Guide Dogs NSW/ACT set out to raise awareness about the issue in a way that couldn’t be ignored, alongside ramping up the conversation about the vital need for all technology to be accessible for people with blindness or low vision.
“This is reflective of a bigger problem. Technology is a gateway to information, services, social connection and employment. Yet digital accessibility is always an afterthought.” – Tamara Searant, Guide Dogs NSW/ACT General Manager Social Change.
How we did it
Guide Dogs NSW/ACT went out with an earned media campaign that got the government’s attention:
- An article in the AFR calling out that the inaccessibility of this app was unacceptable. In response, the Rural Fire Service (RFS) agreed to ensure the next iteration of the app is accessible.
- The app was updated on 10 January 2024 to include screen reader capability.
- Guide Dogs has also received a response from the Minister committing to inclusive design for the app, and has an accessibility roundtable locking in with RFS, the NSW Office for Accessibility and the NSW Department of Customer Service to workshop future Boundless solutions.
Join us in the search for a boundless world
We’ve heard from the low vision and blindness community what barriers they’d like to see removed in the world around us. Now we’re working with values-driven brands who can help create the solution.