Critical Pathways: Improving Digital Accessibility in Domestic and Family Violence Services

Supporting organisations that provide family and domestic violence support services to make their information, communication and services more accessible for people with disability. Centre for Accessibility Australia (CFA Australia) invites organisations working in the family and domestic violence sector to join us in Sydney for a practical workshop on digital accessibility and inclusive communication. As part of our Critical Pathways project, CFA Australia has been conducting website accessibility audits of organisations providing family and domestic violence (FDV) support services across Australia. This workshop will share findings from these audits, explore common accessibility barriers and provide practical advice on making digital information and services more accessible. For people with disability experiencing FDV, being able to find, understand, and access information can be critical to their safety and wellbeing. Event details Date: Tuesday, 2 February 2027 Time: 9:30 am – 12:30 pm (Sydney time) Location: Mercure Sydney, Sydney NSW What will the workshop cover? Our accessibility specialist will explore: • Findings from the Critical Pathways project: Common accessibility barriers identified in the sector through our audits and how organisations can address them. • Assistive technology: How people with disability use technology such as screen readers to access websites and information, including a practical demonstration. • Accessible communication and marketing: Tips for creating accessible websites, documents, social media content and other communication materials. • Plain language and inclusive communication: How to make important information easier to understand and use. • Supporting people with disability: Practical ways to communicate with and support people with different accessibility requirements. • Accessibility standards: An overview of relevant policies, legislation and international accessibility standards, including the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG). • Practical accessibility checks: Simple ways to identify and address accessibility barriers in your organisation's digital content. The workshop will include practical examples and demonstrations, giving participants useful tips they can take back to their organisations. Who should attend? This workshop is suitable for anyone working in FDV services, including frontline staff, communications teams, service managers and people responsible for developing or sharing information.No previous knowledge of digital accessibility is required. About Critical Pathways The Critical Pathways – Ensuring Digital Accessibility for People with Disability Facing Domestic Violence project aims to improve access to essential information and support services alongside ensuring the safety of people with disability experiencing FDV.This workshop is delivered by Centre for Accessibility Australia as part of the Critical Pathways project, funded by the Australian Government Department of Social Services. To learn more, read about CFA Australia's Critical Pathways project. About the Presenter: Laetitia Thompson is the Digital Access, Training and Inclusion Coordinator at Centre for Accessibility Australia (CFA Australia), driving inclusive communication through accessible content. With a strong background in English, Creative Arts, and History (Bachelor of Arts, Murdoch University), Laetitia's role is to craft engaging, easy-to-understand content. Laetitia also facilitates workshops on accessible social media and Plain Language and Easy English for organisations across various sectors. In addition to this she provides Plain English and Easy English translation services, helping businesses and organisations communicate more effectively with their audiences. Outside of CFA Australia, Laetitia writes historical and urban fantasy. She is also a fan of anime and is particularly interested in the representation of disability and the use and design of prosthetics and gadgetry in the medium