| What is web accessibility? | | | | people living in the UK, which is over 16% of |
| | | | the total UK population of 60.2 million |
| Web accessibility refers to the way that | | | | (National Statistics). |
| websites are designed and developed so that | | | | |
| they are accessible to all people using the | | | | What are the benefits of web accessibility? |
| internet. Accessible websites are built using | | | | |
| technologies that enable users to access them | | | | Although the need for web accessibility has |
| from a wide range of user agents and devices | | | | been driven by the DDA, accessible websites |
| regardless of what browsing technology they | | | | benefit all internet users and website |
| are using Accessible websites allow access to | | | | owners. |
| both disabled and non-disabled people. | | | | |
| | | | How do businesses ensure they have an |
| Do businesses in the UK need accessible | | | | accessible website? |
| websites? | | | | |
| | | | As there are many technologies currently used |
| Yes. In the UK, it illegal to discriminate | | | | to build websites, not all web agencies |
| against people with disabilities, as outlined | | | | adhere to the W3C guidelines, so companies |
| in the Disability Discrimination Act (DDA). | | | | need to ensure that they engage an agency |
| In 2002, the DDA published a Code of | | | | that specializes in Accessibility and Web |
| Practice, which specifically states that web | | | | Standards. In 2006, the DRC and the British |
| accessibility is a legal requirement. As the | | | | Standards Institution (BSI) published "PAS |
| DDA has not provided instructions on how to | | | | 78: A guide to good practice in commissioning |
| create accessible websites, The World Wide | | | | accessible websites". |
| Web Consortium (W3C), the Internet's | | | | |
| governing body, has created guidelines for | | | | What are Web Standards? |
| web designers and developers to adhere to in | | | | |
| order to create accessible websites. The | | | | Web Standards are a set of rules and |
| combination of the DDA's Code of Practice and | | | | guidelines, set out by the W3C, for those who |
| the W3C guidelines form the basis for | | | | design and develop websites. Web Standards |
| adherence to the DDA. | | | | provide the foundation for the creation of |
| | | | accessible websites. Web Standards are the |
| How many disabled people are there in the UK? | | | | leading web technology over other existing |
| | | | technologies and will become the norm for the |
| According to The Disability Rights Commission | | | | industry over the next few years. |
| (DRC), there are over 10 million disabled | | | | |