Hong Kong Web Accessibility (DDO and Government Guidelines)
Hong Kong has no standalone web accessibility statute; instead, the Disability Discrimination Ordinance (Cap. 487) makes it unlawful to discriminate against persons with disabilities in the provision of goods, services and facilities - which the Equal Opportunities Commission applies to inaccessible websites and apps. Government websites have been required to meet WCAG 2.0 Level AA since 2013 under OGCIO (now Digital Policy Office) guidelines, current guidance references the newest WCAG versions, and the private sector is pushed the same way through EOC guidance and the long-running Web Accessibility Recognition Scheme. A visitor who cannot use your service can complain to the EOC and litigate under the DDO, where damages are uncapped.
What is DDO (Hong Kong)?
The DDO is Hong Kong's disability anti-discrimination law: Section 26 covers goods, services and facilities, and refusing or failing to provide reasonable access - including digital access - can constitute unlawful discrimination unless accommodation would impose unjustifiable hardship. The EOC investigates complaints, conciliates, and can support proceedings in the District Court. On the standards side, the government mandates WCAG conformance for its own estate: since 2013, government websites must meet WCAG 2.0 Level AA (guidance since updated to reference newer WCAG versions), and mobile apps carry parallel requirements. The Digital Policy Office and the EOC jointly promote adoption in the private sector, most visibly through the Web Accessibility Recognition Scheme, which awards conforming sites and apps annually.
Who must comply?
Every provider of goods, services or facilities to the Hong Kong public falls under the DDO - banks, retailers, utilities, schools, healthcare, media and e-commerce, local or foreign, if they serve Hong Kong users. Government bureaux and departments must meet the WCAG-based guidelines as policy. Private organizations face no direct WCAG statute, but an inaccessible digital service is exposure under the DDO's services provisions.
Key requirements
- Do not discriminate in the provision of goods, services and facilities - digital channels included (DDO s.26); provide reasonable accommodation short of unjustifiable hardship.
- Government websites and apps: meet the WCAG Level AA-based requirements set by the Digital Policy Office (WCAG 2.0 AA mandated since 2013, guidance tracking newer versions).
- Provide accessible alternatives and assistance channels where full conformance is not yet achieved.
- Private sector: align with EOC guidance and the Web Accessibility Recognition Scheme criteria - WCAG conformance is the de facto benchmark used.
- Keep evidence of accessibility efforts - audits, fixes, statements - to answer EOC complaints.
Key dates & deadlines
Penalties & enforcement
There is no fixed administrative fine: DDO claims proceed as discrimination cases. The EOC conciliates complaints, and unresolved cases go to the District Court, where damages for unlawful discrimination are uncapped and can include injunctions requiring the service be made accessible, plus reputational exposure from published findings. For government-facing suppliers, failing the WCAG-based requirements is a procurement and policy compliance problem.
How DDO (Hong Kong) relates to WCAG
WCAG is the operative benchmark at every layer: the government's own requirement is WCAG Level AA (2.0 since 2013, with guidance tracking newer versions), the Recognition Scheme judges against WCAG criteria, and the EOC points service providers at WCAG as the standard of reasonable digital access. Building to WCAG 2.2 AA is the defensible position under the DDO.
How EqualWeb helps you meet DDO (Hong Kong)
EqualWeb gives Hong Kong organizations the WCAG 2.2 AA evidence trail the DDO environment rewards: automated plus expert audits, AI-and-human remediation, continuous monitoring, and documentation that answers an EOC complaint - or a Recognition Scheme submission - with proof instead of promises.
DDO (Hong Kong) - frequently asked questions
Is there a web accessibility law in Hong Kong?
What standard should a Hong Kong website meet?
Can someone sue over an inaccessible website in Hong Kong?
What is the Web Accessibility Recognition Scheme?
Official sources & further reading
Related standards & laws
Meet DDO (Hong Kong) with confidence
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