Media Coverage | 2001 Archive

Isle of Man Examiner: Don't ignore the e-disabled

Perhaps the threat of litigation will make people think twice before designing an inaccessible interface. As the Government continues to drive web access for all, this is one issue that isn't going to go away.

British companies have been warned that failure to recognise the needs of the disabled in design of websites could land them in court.

"It's not going to be long before we start to see a number of test cases where disabled people or those representing their interests, such as disabled charities, take large e-tailers to court for failing to consider their right to accessibility," said Alan Masson of MacRoberts Solicitors.

He was commenting on the findings of a report by The Usability Company, which highlighted the potential dangers faced by UK businesses if they fail to ensure that their websites are accessible to all.

Produced in collaboration with the Digital Media Access Group, the report entitled 'Web accessibility problems, issues, solutions and the future' provided guidelines for UK e-businesses to ensure their product and service offerings are accessible to disabled users.

The report's co-author, Catriona Campbell, said: 'Failing to address the needs of more than one million members of the UK's population means that UK businesses are missing out on a sizable revenue stream. In addition to this, businesses should consider the potential legal implications in denying access to these groups."

The launch of this report follows a recent decision made by the US Federal Government imposing penalties on government-run sites denying equality of access for disabled users.

"This serves as a wake up call for UK e-businesses to improve their websites' accessibility. It is the disabled and elderly who can benefit most from home access and technology-enhanced services such as online retailing and banking. These are the people who are being denied access. The report demonstrates that accessibility is an issue which is set to come to the fore," said Ms Campbell.

She added: "Web accessibility for the disabled appears at the bottom of the list of priorities for the majority of businesses. Perhaps the threat of litigation will make people think twice before designing an inaccessible interface. As the Government continues to drive web access for all, this is one issue that isn't going to go away."

Food e-tailer Tesco.com has launched an online service specifically targeting the UK's blind or partially sighted.

"It may only be a matter of time before UK e-businesses are required by law to conduct usability studies," said Ms Campbell.

Commenting on the report's guidelines to assessing the Web accessibility for the disabled, she said businesses need to:

• Recognise the huge disabled market;
• Take account of accessibility software, just as they take account of wheelchairs and guide dogs;
• Consider access over cosmetic value.

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