This accessibility statement is for the Whaimana Support My Decisions at www.supportmydecisions.nz/ external
Web accessibility refers to the inclusive design and development of websites, digital tools, and technologies.
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 Standards external.
Accessibility Charter
MSD has signed the Accessibility Charter external 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 1.2 external
NZ Government Web Usability Standard 1.4 external
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
The known accessibility issues are:
- Some PDF files from other sources may not be fully accessible to assistive technologies.
Compatibility with browsers and assistive technologies
This website was designed to work with common browsers and assistive technologies. It has been tested with:
- Chrome 137.0.7151.69 with JAWS 2025.2505.43 on Windows 11
- Safari with VoiceOver on iOS 18.5
- Chrome version 137.0.7151.69 with keyboard-only input on Windows 11.
Assessment approach
We last audited the accessibility of this website in June 2025 by:
- evaluating selected pages against WCAG 2.2 at Level AA
- testing selected pages with assistive technologies.
Contact us
Contact us 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 reply within 3 working days.
Alternate formats
Contact us if you need information in alternate formats, such as:
- 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 the Whaikaha website. external
If you're not satisfied with our response to your complaint, you can make a further complaint to the Human Rights Commission external or the Ombudsman New Zealand external.
Approver of this statement
Digital Accessibility Team
Ministry of Social Development
Te Manatū Whakahiato Ora
Last statement review date
27 June 2025