Mamamayang Liberal Party-list Representative Leila de Lima has introduced two measures aimed at eliminating digital obstacles that prevent persons with disabilities (PWDs) from accessing government and private-sector websites, mobile applications and online services.
De Lima said House Bill No. 10444 seeks to establish the Philippines’ first dedicated digital accessibility law, bringing domestic regulations closer to international technical standards and promoting greater participation of PWDs in an increasingly digital society.
“By institutionalizing digital accessibility obligations in law rather than administrative circulars and establishing a lead agency with audit and sanction authority, this measure addresses enforcement gaps identified by international benchmarking bodies,” De Lima said.
“It builds on, rather than displaces, existing measures for persons with disabilities, ensuring that as the country’s digital infrastructure expands, no Filipino is left behind because of disability,” added the former Justice secretary.
The bill proposes Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WAG) 2.2 Level AA as the minimum mandatory standard for digital accessibility.
Developed by the World Wide Web Consortium, WCAG 2.2 establishes internationally recognized requirements for improving the accessibility of online content for people with disabilities.
The proposed standards would apply to government offices, government-owned and -controlled corporations and private-sector establishments. These would include banks, e-commerce businesses, schools and other educational institutions, health care providers, telecommunications firms and broadcast companies.
De Lima also filed House Bill No. 10445, which seeks to amend Republic Act No. 7277, or the Magna Carta for Persons with Disability, by expanding protections for PWDs seeking accessible information and digital services.
The proposed amendments would introduce additional accessibility and anti-discrimination obligations, particularly for banks and other financial institutions, to ensure that persons with disabilities can access financial services without unnecessary obstacles.
The measure would also revise outdated provisions and terminology in the decades-old law to align it with modern principles governing disability rights and accessibility.
“With government services, banking, commerce, and everyday transactions shifting to the digital space, the law must be amended not just to guarantee barrier-free physical spaces, but also accessibility and non-discrimination in the digital environment,” she said.
De Lima appealed to fellow lawmakers to prioritize the proposed legislation.
“Nananawagan tayo sa ating mga kasamahan sa Kongreso sa agarang pagpasa ng mahahalagang panukalang ito para matiyak ang pangmatagalang suporta at kinakailangang mga serbisyo para sa mga kababayan nating may kapansanan,” De Lima said, adding:
“Gawin nating realidad ang isang lipunan kung saan umiiral ang pagkakapantay-pantay at paggalang sa karapatan at dignidad ng bawat indibidwal.”