Accessibility
The law
Since 1995 when the Disability Discrimination Act (DDA) was first passed there have been several changes to the legislation.
In 2002 Section 3 of the Act (which refers specifically to websites) was published making it, Quote: "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."
More than the law
We feel it is more than just a legal requirement to make a website accessible, but the mark of a socially responsible web developer. We ensure that the design of our websites include features to improve accessibility for a range of visitors from visually impaired users through to blind visitors using a text reader.These types of websites can also be accessed by visitors who are using various other technologies such as mobile phones.
In 2004 the Disability Rights Commission produced a report based on a review of 1000 UK websites. An astonishing 81% of these websites made no attempt to make their website accessible, or failed in very basic ways to make their sites accessible. We don't want our clients' websites to be in that 81%.
Source: Disability Rights Commission
Accessibility is about everyone being able to access your website.
Other benefits
An accessible, standards compliant website also has Search Engine Optimisation benefits. With an accessible website you will be able to reach more visitors and with 35 million internet users in the UK alone this is significant.
Some key business benefits are:
- Improved Search Engine Rankings
- Website more compatable with future technologies
- Faster page loading times
- Maintenace is easier to perform
Learn more about how an accessible site can help your organisation and contact Make Hay to find out what we can do for you and your visitors.
