In response to the consultation paper published by Hong Kong Exchanges and Clearing Limited (HKEx) on proposals to expand the paperless listing regime, the EOC submitted its recommendations to HKEx in February 2023, calling on the HKEx to strengthen the requirements pertinent to digital accessibility and disability inclusion in the interest of persons with disabilities (PWDs). 

According to Hong Kong Blind Union’s 2018 Web Accessibility Survey funded by the EOC, only 8.9% of websites of listed companies selected met 12 criteria of Level A requirements of Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) 2.0, an international standard to assess accessibility of web content. 

To protect the rights of PWDs to get access to information from listed issuers, HKEx should incorporate the conformance of corporate communications with web accessibility guidelines such as WCAG 2.1 into the Listing Rules or the Corporate Governance Code therein as appropriate to make online content accessible to a wider range of PWDs, including those with blindness and low vision, photosensitivity as well as other disabilities.

Companies are also encouraged to take disability inclusion into account during their decision-making process and business operations. By embracing full inclusion of securities holders with disabilities in the corporate governance process, HKEx and listed issuers can reaffirm their commitment to diversity and inclusion as well as ESG (Environment, Social & Governance), which are increasingly relevant to investors, employees and regulators.

• Read EOC’s full submission