Forum Brief: Web access

The Disability Rights Commission has published research showing that 81 per cent of Britis-based websites currently fall foul of accessibility standards for disabled internet users.

Government Response: Cabinet Office

A spokesperson from the Office of the e-Envoy said: "The government is committed to making its websites accessible for all users. In 2001 the Office of the e-Envoy published Guidelines for UK government Websites which includes detailed guidance and a standard for building accessible websites, aimed at public sector webmanagers.

"This was supplemented in 2003 by The Quality Framework for UK government Website Design which clarifies the relevant usability and design criteria to be used when planning a government website."

Forum Response: Disability Rights Commission

Bert Massie, DRC chairman, said: "The situation revealed by this investigation is unacceptable but not inevitable. The DRC is determined to ensure that this new powerful technology does not leave disabled people behind.

"Eight in 10 sites are next to impossible for some disabled people to use – that means no last minute holidays, cheaper car insurance or lower rates of interest on credit cards. It also means a technological lock out from chat rooms and web forums, from recruitment opportunities that are increasingly happening through the web, and education and information services that have had an increased profile.

"The web has been around for 10 years, yet within this short space of time it has managed to throw up the same hurdles to access and participation by disabled people as the physical world. But it is an environment that could be made more accommodating to disabled people at a relatively modest expense.

"Organisations that offer goods and services over the web already have a legal duty to make their websites accessible to disabled people. Our investigation contains a range of recommendations to help website owners and developers bring down the barriers to inclusive design. But where the response is inadequate, the industry should be prepared for disabled people to use the law to make the web a less hostile place."

Forum Response: Royal National Institute for the Blind

Julie Howell, Digital Policy Development officer at RNIB, said: "Businesses have a social responsibility as well as a legal duty to ensure that disabled people can use their web sites.  Add to this the compelling business case (there are 8.7 million disabled people in the UK). 

"The DRC findings would indicate that there is a need for additional government initiatives and resources to make businesses aware of what they must do to reach disabled customers."

Forum Response: Disabilities Trust