Compliant Web Design
The Law
The Disability Discrimination Act (DDA) 1995 makes it illegal for a service provider to discriminate against a disabled person. If you website is used for business purposes, not just a personal site, then, under the terms of the DDA, you are a service provider.
You need to have made 'reasonable adjustment' so that a disabled person can use your services - your website in this instance. If your website can attain Priority 1 (also known as Level A) then 'reasonable adjustment' will have been made. However, as a business you should make a commitment to increase accessibility (attain Priority 2 or 3, also known as Level AA and AAA) and ensure that any new pages are accessible immediately.
Although the study by the Disability Rights Commission isn't aimed at bringing legal proceedings, it is only a matter of time before someone does. The RNIB prefers to advise and cajole organisations into addressing accessibility issues. They are firm advocates of web accessibility and may well be among the first to start an action.
Your business
Let's be honest. You would have to be crazy to turn away every seventh customer. But if your website is inaccessible that's just what you are doing. Around 10 million people in the UK have some form of disability. Latest estimates put this disposable income at £50 billion per year! Making your website accessible will give you a greater chance of tapping into this enormous market.
The moral argument
It is only right and proper that websites are accessible to as many people as possible.
Why should a person with a disability constantly 'make do' with inferior products or services? An accessible website will provide a postive image of your company. You will be seen as a business that cares.
So any of these three points can and will benefit you. It's a bit like the carrot and stick approach. The carrot is the opportunity to increase your customer base and create a positive image. The stick is the law - the chances of legal action may not seem great but why take the risk?
We can work on a wide range of projects from simple three page brochure
sites up to powerful database driven websites - and everything in between!
We work with a number of partners to ensure we can offer the right solution
at the right price.
The bottom line is that you get a fully functioning website that meets your
specific needs and conforms to current accessibility legislation.
If you would like no nonsense answers about your proposed or existing website, just give us a call on 01502 512888 or fill in our enquiry form.