Nepal's Health Services: Why Digital Accessibility Can No Longer Be Ignored
Author: Jalasa Sapkota
Published: 2024/10/22
Publication Type: Instructive / Helpful
Topic: Website Accessibility (Publications Database)
Page Content: Synopsis Introduction Main Item
Synopsis: The Department of Health Services (DoHS) website is not designed with accessibility in mind, making it difficult for persons with disabilities to use.
Why it matters: This article highlights the urgent need for digital accessibility in Nepal's health services, especially in light of the country's vulnerability to natural disasters. It emphasizes that the Department of Health Services (DoHS) must prioritize accessibility to ensure that all citizens, including persons with disabilities, can access crucial health information and services during emergencies. The article identifies key barriers to digital accessibility in the DoHS system, such as inaccessible website content, and provides recommendations for improving accessibility, including adhering to international standards, providing accessible document formats, and using descriptive alt text for images. By addressing these barriers, the DoHS can make its health services more inclusive and ensure the well-being of all citizens, especially in times of crisis - Disabled World.
Introduction
As Nepal grapples with frequent natural disasters such as floods and earthquakes, ensuring that health services are accessible to all citizens, including persons with disabilities, becomes increasingly important. The Department of Health Services (DoHS), under the Ministry of Health and Population, is responsible for providing preventive, promotive, and curative health services across the country. However, the digital infrastructure of the DoHS, which is vital for delivering health services in disaster-prone areas, remains largely inaccessible to persons with disabilities. While the DoHS has established a referral system to connect individuals with health services, ranging from local health posts to specialized tertiary centers, the digital components meant to enhance access are inaccessible to many-particularly those with visual, hearing, and cognitive impairments.
A recent position paper by Prayatna Nepal, Prioritizing Digital Accessibility for Inclusive Development, highlights several barriers in the DoHS digital system that restrict persons with disabilities from accessing critical health information. The paper emphasizes that digital accessibility is not just a matter of convenience but a necessity, especially for persons with disabilities in times of natural disaster.
Main Item
Nepal's Vulnerability and the Role of Accessible Health Services
Nepal's challenging geographical terrain makes it highly vulnerable to natural disasters, including earthquakes, floods, and landslides. These disasters often destroy physical infrastructure, making it even more critical for health services to be available digitally. For persons with disabilities, who may already struggle with mobility and communication barriers, the absence of accessible digital platforms can leave them without essential health services during emergencies.
The Department of Health Services is positioned to play a crucial role in ensuring the safety and well-being of all citizens, but its digital platforms remain largely inaccessible. Prayatna Nepal's report found that persons with disabilities face significant challenges navigating the DoHS website, preventing them from accessing important health updates, disaster preparedness information, and emergency health services.
Key Barriers to Digital Accessibility in the Department of Health Services
The core issue lies in the fact that the DoHS website is not designed with accessibility in mind, making it difficult for persons with disabilities to use. Some key barriers identified by Prayatna Nepal include:
- Keyboard Navigation Challenges: Users who rely on keyboards to navigate-such as persons with motor impairments or those using screen readers-find it nearly impossible to use the website efficiently.
- Illogical Heading Structures: The website's sub-headings are not structured logically, making it difficult for screen readers to relay information accurately.
- Inaccessible Document Formats: Notices and publications on the website are uploaded in Preeti font or image-based PDFs, which are unreadable by screen readers.
- Unlabeled Search Button: The search functionality lacks discernible text, rendering it useless for users relying on screen readers.
- Absence of Alt Text for Images: The lack of alternative text for images means that visually impaired users cannot access the content conveyed through graphics.
- Poor Color Contrast: Many elements on the website do not meet the required color contrast ratio, making it hard for users with low vision or color blindness to read the content.
These accessibility issues are more than just inconveniences-they are violations of the rights of persons with disabilities, who are entitled to equal access to public services under Nepal's constitution and international commitments, such as the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD), to which Nepal is a signatory.
The Urgent Need for Digital Accessibility in Health Services
In the context of Nepal's vulnerability to natural disasters, digital accessibility must be a priority for the Department of Health Services. Inaccessible health information can have life-threatening consequences for persons with disabilities, especially in times of crisis when quick access to health services is crucial.
Digital accessibility should be recognized as a fundamental right. To ensure that health services are inclusive and accessible to all, the DoHS must take immediate action to address the digital barriers identified in Prayatna Nepal's position paper. Some key recommendations include:
1. Adhering to International Accessibility Standards: The DoHS should follow the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) 2.1, which provide clear guidelines for making websites accessible to persons with disabilities.
2. Accessible Document Formats: Health notices and publications should be provided in formats that are compatible with screen readers, such as HTML or accessible PDFs.
3. Descriptive Alt Text for Images: All images should include alternative text to allow screen readers to convey their content to visually impaired users.
4. Improved Color Contrast: The website's color scheme should be adjusted to meet accessibility standards, ensuring that users with low vision or color blindness can read the content.
5. Logical Heading and Navigation Structures: The website content should be organized with proper heading structures, making it easier for users relying on assistive technologies to navigate.
In conclusion, the urgency of making the Department of Health Services' digital platforms accessible cannot be overstated, especially in the context of Nepal's susceptibility to natural disasters. Policymakers must prioritize digital accessibility as a fundamental right and take proactive steps to implement the recommendations outlined in Prayatna Nepal's position paper. Health service providers, too, play a crucial role in advocating for these changes, ensuring that all citizens, particularly persons with disabilities, can access essential health information and services during emergencies. By committing to these actions, the DoHS can significantly enhance disaster preparedness and response, embodying the principle of inclusive health care.
Author Credentials:
Jalasa Sapkota is a visually impaired writer, researcher, and advocate for disability inclusion. With a background as a former Research Assistant at Diverse Patterns Limited and now as a Resource Person for the International Council for Education of People with Visual Impairment's (ICEVI) Gender Equality and Women's Rights Task Group, she has dedicated her career to advancing the rights and opportunities of persons with disabilities. Visit Jalasa's biography for comprehensive insights into her background, expertise, and accomplishments.
Explore Related Topics
1 - Nepal's Health Services: Why Digital Accessibility Can No Longer Be Ignored - The Department of Health Services (DoHS) website is not designed with accessibility in mind, making it difficult for persons with disabilities to use.
2 - National Inclusion Commission: Are We Truly Inclusive in the Digital Age? - Is Nepal's National Inclusion Commission (NIC) truly inclusive, particularly in terms of digital accessibility.
3 - Digital Accessibility: A Right for All, Not Just a Privilege - This article delves into specific barriers identified, offering practical recommendations based on global best practices to ensure digital platforms in Nepal are accessible to all.
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Cite This Page (APA): Sapkota, J. (2024, October 22). Nepal's Health Services: Why Digital Accessibility Can No Longer Be Ignored. Disabled World. Retrieved November 6, 2024 from www.disabled-world.com/disability/accessibility/websitedesign/dohs.php
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