We have a number of associates available for compliance testing to assist in the user validation phases of projects and we can supply human resources in various ways to meet your compliance requirements that include full project lifecycle delivery for website accessibility strategy.
Our website services
Whatever your needs we are confident we can assist you towards your end goal. Our website accessibility services guide our clients through the accessibility issues that need to be considered in the planning, design, implementation, optimisation and/or upgrading phases for web based media delivery projects. We offer website audits that gives developers a fully outline of what's accessible and what's not.
Legal requirements to accessibility
In the United Kingdom government are adopting best practise for any website to be WC3 Priority AA This can be viewed on the Government Central Office of Informationwebsite.
The European parliamenthave also been adopting strict guidelines and initiative move towards also adopting the same WC3 Priority AA. Those organisations delivering ESF Programmeneed to make sure any websites being used as part of their delivery have to have due regard to disabled users and adopt the same WC3 Priority AA standards.
UK legal requirements
Part III of the DDA refers to the provision of goods, facilities and services.
The Equality and Human Rights Commission Code of Practice (1998), which specifically mentions websites accessibility.
Quotes from the 175-page Code of Practice are:
- 2.2 (p7): "The Disability Discrimination Act makes it unlawful for a service provider to discriminate against a disabled person by refusing to provide any service which it provides to members of the public."
- 4.7 (p39): "From 1st October 1999 a service provider has to take reasonable steps to change a practice which makes it unreasonably difficult for disabled people to make use of its services."
- 5.23 (p71): "For people with visual impairments, the range of auxiliary aids or services which it might be reasonable to provide to ensure that services are accessible might include ... accessible websites."
- 5.26 (p68): "For people with hearing disabilities, the range of auxiliary aids or services which it might be reasonable to provide to ensure that services are accessible might include ... accessible websites."
The law and best practice requirements
Public sector organisations have additional duties under the Disability Discrimination Act 2005.
Organisations covered by the duty
The general duty applies to all public authorities. It includes:
- government departments
- executive agencies and ministers
- local authorities
- schools
- governing bodies of colleges and universities
- governing bodies of schools
- NHS trusts and boards
- police and fire authorities
- the crown prosecution service
- the crown office
- inspection and audit bodies
- certain publicly funded museums
- private companies procured to provide or delivering service on behalf of a public sector body listed above
Part III of the DDA refers to the provision of goods, facilities and services. The Code of Practice (1998), which specifically mentions websites, can be downloaded in its entirety from the Equality and Human Rights Commission website. Online maps that are currently on websites are not accessible as default and can be deemed as inaccessible under the DDA.