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