Eliminating Digital Divide... Kakao Appoints New 'Digital Accessibility Officer'

by Lee Seungjin

Published 20 Apr.2022 09:29(KST)

Hyeil Kim, Digital Accessibility Officer

[Asia Economy Reporter Seungjin Lee] Kakao announced on the 20th that it has appointed the first-ever 'Digital Accessibility Officer (DAO)' among domestic IT companies to systematically promote the 'Barrier-Free Initiative' aimed at strengthening digital accessibility together with its affiliates.

Digital accessibility means providing equal access to services in spaces such as the web and mobile for everyone. Recently, with the rapid digital transformation due to COVID-19, the number of digitally vulnerable groups such as people with disabilities and the elderly has increased, raising the ongoing need to build an environment where services can be used without exclusion or discrimination.

Accordingly, Kakao decided to promote the 'Barrier-Free Initiative,' which means creating an environment where more people can easily and comfortably access various services, platforms, and technologies. The appointment of a 'Digital Accessibility Officer' under the ESG (Environment, Social, Governance) division of the Community Alignment Center (CAC) is also part of the Barrier-Free Initiative.

Kim Hye-il, head of the Accessibility Team at subsidiary Linkage Lab, was appointed as Kakao's 'Digital Accessibility Officer.' As a person with severe visual impairment, Kim has been in charge of accessibility tasks at Daum and Kakao since 2014. She was recognized for her contributions to improving information accessibility for people with disabilities and received the Industrial Medal from the Ministry of Employment and Labor last year.

Kakao has operated a dedicated service accessibility organization since 2013, and since 2018, the Accessibility Team at its subsidiary-type standard workplace for people with disabilities, Linkage Lab, has been performing various accessibility tasks related to major services, platforms, and technologies. The Accessibility Team consists of experts such as accessibility testers and web accessibility consultants, collaborating with both people with and without disabilities.

Examples of Kakao's accessibility improvements include ▲creating a high-contrast theme for KakaoTalk for people with low vision ▲applying alternative text to default KakaoTalk emoticons ▲improving accessibility for QR check-in and leftover vaccine reservations. In particular, KakaoTalk, used by over 47 million people, continuously conducts usability tests and accessibility verifications whenever new features such as drawers and authentication are added to ensure that visually impaired users do not experience inconvenience.

Kakao's affiliates will actively work on improving and strengthening accessibility under the leadership of the Digital Accessibility Officer. They plan to publish accessibility reports on Kakao community services and establish an organic communication structure among responsible organizations.

Within this year, Kakao will enhance convenience for wheelchair users by adding information on level differences between subway cars and platforms to its map service, 'KakaoMap.' Kakao Games plans to establish accessibility guidelines for game developers and planners. Kakao Entertainment is preparing to improve web novel accessibility on KakaoPage, targeting the second half of the year. Kakao Mobility and Kakao Pay will also participate in improving the accessibility of the KakaoT and Kakao Pay mobile apps. Kakao Mobility will take responsibility not only for digital accessibility of KakaoT but also for improving mobility rights for vulnerable groups.

Hong Eun-taek, head of Kakao ESG, said, “Strengthening digital accessibility is Kakao community’s fulfillment of digital responsibility to sustainably grow together with society,” adding, “We plan to continuously seek improvements to ensure there is no gap or exclusion in the use of digital services.”