| |
|
|
| DISABILITY
GROUPS FAIL TO MEET CHALLENGE ON ACCESSIBILITY |
14/04/04 |
| |
Too
many websites are vulnerable to legal action from disabled users because
accessibility guidelines are being ignored by web developers, according
to a survey.
A year-long investigation by the Disability Rights Commission (DRC) concludes
that large numbers of organisations are not complying with existing equal
access laws, and that it was "only a matter of time" before they
faced legal action from disabled consumers.
The comprehensive examination into accessibility covered government, business,
leisure, web services and ecommerce sites.
Problems commonly cited by disabled people using the web were: cluttered
and complex page structures; confusing and disorienting navigation mechanisms;
failure to describe images; inappropriate use of colours and poor contrast
between content and background.
The investigation also found high levels of ignorance among web developers
on both the steps needed and the costs of making sites accessible. It also
revealed that blind people were the most disenfranchised amongst disabled
users.
Speaking at the launch of the findings Bert Massie, DRC chairman, said:
"The situation revealed by this investigation is unacceptable. The
DRC is determined to ensure that this powerful new technology does not leave
disabled people behind."
The group's report contains 15 recommendations aimed at the web industry,
business and the government. Of the 1,000 websites tested, 81% failed on
automated testing to reach the minimum standard for web access.
A disabled users’ panel pinpointed 585 accessibility and usability problems,
and also revealed that nearly a quarter of the most routine and straightforward
online tasks could not be completed because of poor accessibility.
The investigation found that only 9% of web developers claim any accessibility
expertise, and that only 9% used disabled people to test their sites.
The latest findings follow on from a study by Ethical Media which claimed
nearly 60% of leading disability websites fail basic accessibility checks
in their web and digital communications.
Massie comments: “There has to be a change in approach at the heart of the
internet industry and website developers must involve disabled users from
an early stage in the design process.
"Existing best practice initiatives such as the guidelines set down
by the World Wide Web Consortium are valuable here, but as our investigation
has shown, not enough to ensure genuine access to disabled users.”
“The unregulated Wild West - considered the internet’s strength - is the
principal reason for weaknesses in the knowledge and expertise of web designers
and developers. Raising the skills and understanding of web access by promoting
a formal qualification for web designers and developers is now an essential
requirement.”
Julie Howell, Digital Policy Development Officer at RNIB, welcomed the findings,
saying: “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.”
|
| |
|
| |
|
|
