By Dan Ilett, 13 March 2006 16:30
NEWS
The British Standards Institution (BSI) has issued new guidelines for web designers in a bid to make websites easier for disabled people to use.
The move follows an investigation by the Disability Rights Commission (DRC), which found that 81 per cent of UK websites are inaccessible to disabled people.
Although the guidelines are voluntary, under the Disability Discrimination Act website owners should ensure any online services are accessible to disabled people.
Bert Massie, chairman of the DRC, said in a statement: "We need to ensure more websites can be used by disabled people and this document will play a key part in making that happen.
"Businesses and the web industry have a responsibility to ensure the web is barrier free to disabled people. It also makes good business sense. An accessible website is easier for both disabled and non-disabled people to use and is bound to attract more customers."
The document covers six key areas including building, publishing and maintaining websites. The BSI recommends that disabled people are involved with every step of the process to improve accessibility.
Comments
There are 6 comments. Join the discussion
1. Mike Poole
Just as well they are voluntary. I just went to download the PDF of the guidelines from the BSI website and they wanted to charge me £4.17 to do so. Where is the accessibility in that? I'm going to stick to using the American standards.
2. anonymous
There is nothing on the BSI site.....
A link would have been helpful also if you have seen these standards.
Thanks
3. anonymous
I like the way the link (http://newsletters.silicon.cneteu.net/t/110049/1965645/8141%205/0/)
in the 'Daily News newsletter' for this article only gives the message:
"Sorry, but that click-through URL is invalid"
Hmm, Accessible - or is there some kind of in house joke here that i'm missing?
4. anonymous
It costs £30 to download, not £4.17. That's just for postage if you're going down the traditional delivery route. I think these guidelines should be free. But if you want to buy them, you can find them here:
http://www.bsi-global.com/ICT/PAS78/index.xalter
5. Stephen
Mike,
Its worse than you think! That £4.17 is for postage and package of the pdf!
The cost of the pdf is actually £30.
You can find PAS 78 here : http://www.bsi-global.com/ICT/PAS78/index.xalter
6. Mike Poole
Just as well they are voluntary. I just went to download the PDF of the guidelines from the BSI website and they wanted to charge me £4.17 to do so. Where is the accessibility in that? I'm going to stick to using the American standards.