Since 2013, Hong Kong has run a voluntary scheme recognising websites and apps that meet accessibility standards. In 2024–25 it awarded 439 websites, 102 mobile apps and 119 new 'elderly-friendly' badges, with fastest growth in transport (+70%) and media (+33%).
439
Websites recognised (2024-25)
102
Mobile apps recognised (2024-25)
119
New 'elderly-friendly' badges awarded (2024-25)
70 %
Growth in transport-sector adoption vs prior round
33 %
Growth in media-sector adoption vs prior round
Details
Maturity
Established
Promoter
Hong Kong Internet Registration Corporation (HKIRC), Digital Policy Office & Equal Opportunities Commission
Period
2013–2025 (ongoing)
Keywords
digital government, web accessibility, certification schemes, private sector engagement
Context
Launched in 2013 by the Digital Policy Office (then OGCIO) with the Equal Opportunities Commission, this voluntary scheme invites Hong Kong websites, and from 2018 mobile apps, to be assessed against accessibility criteria and display a recognition badge. Since 2018 HKIRC has organised it, with the Digital Policy Office as co-organiser and the Equal Opportunities Commission as independent advisor; in 2024 it was renamed from the 'Web Accessibility Recognition Scheme' to the 'Digital Accessibility Recognition Scheme' to reflect its broader remit. Participation is free and voluntary, and HKIRC also runs sector briefings to spread accessibility know-how.
Results
The 2024-25 round delivered record results: 439 websites and 102 mobile apps received recognition, alongside 119 awards under a newly introduced 'Elderly-friendly' category. Adoption grew fastest in transport (+70%), followed by media (+33%) and public services (+23%) compared with the prior round.
Conclusions
Because the scheme is opt-in, its results describe adoption among motivated participants rather than economy-wide compliance, and no independent audit of winning sites was found in public reporting.
Implementation
Indicative cost
Medium (€50k–€500k) — Free assessment and advisory review for participants; ongoing administrative and outreach costs borne by HKIRC and the Digital Policy Office.
Time to results
Long (> 3 years) — Running continuously since 2013; renamed and scope-expanded in 2024 to cover mobile apps and elderly-friendly design.
Staffing & skills
HKIRC scheme administrators, Digital Policy Office as co-organiser, Equal Opportunities Commission as independent advisor, Sector-briefing trainers
Conditions for success
Free voluntary assessment lowers the barrier to participation
Multi-stakeholder governance (co-organiser plus independent advisor)
Periodic scope expansion (mobile apps in 2018, elderly-friendly category in 2024) to stay relevant
Common failure modes
Voluntary/opt-in design captures only motivated participants, not economy-wide compliance
No independent audit of awarded sites found in public reporting
Where it fits
Governance type
multi-stakeholder (statutory body, industry body and NGO)
Scale
territory-wide
Income level
high-income
Commonly funded by
National / regional programmes
Indicative funding routes for practices of this type — always check each programme's current calls and eligibility rules.
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Data sources
Where this practice's information was retrieved from, and when.
