RE: [uk-netmarketing] RE: Blind Readers

[Melanie BEECH]

> Someone earlier mentioned the Disability Act ,is there any 

> other pending

> legislation that may make access a requirement for sites?


<caveat>


I am not a lawyer, but this is my interpretation </caveat>


The current disability legislation makes the legal requirement for disabled

acces to web sites implicit, even if it does not explicitly state that

disabled users must have access to web sites.  In theory, a company can be

forced to provide its products and services in a way that is accessible to

disabled users, e.g. by providing a wheelchair ramp at the entrance to the

shop.


If you consider the web site as a shop, there is a very strong case that the

current legislation can be used to enforce disabled access to web sites,

especially if the company does not offer any other channel for disabled

users to access their products and services.


There has yet to be a test case on this subject, but it's probably just a

matter of time.


Finally, not making your site accessible to the disabled is not good

business sense - there are many disabled people, whether visually impaired,

those with motor disabilities or whatever who would be keen to use the

internet to make their purchases easier, as shopping in the high street,

while largely possible, can be major hassle.  Making your site accessible

opens you up to new markets and can represent a genuine competitive

advantage where rival sites are not accessible.  Given that basic

accessibility is not that hard to achieve, there is no reason not to make

this a core requirement for future sites.


m