25 May 2006
Ninety per cent of UK voluntary sector web sites do not meet minimum standards of accessibility for disabled people, according to research from computing and disability specialist AbilityNet.
The figures raise concerns because voluntary sector sites target a higher percentage of disabled people than those in the public and private sectors.
Report author Robin Christopherson, AbilityNet’s web consultancy manager, believes many voluntary organisations lack the resources to make sites compliant.
He estimates that across all sectors, 80 to 90 per cent of sites do not meet basic standards, and that to make them compliant costs an extra two to three per cent.
‘The voluntary sector is facing a big challenge to meet accessibility standards but it’s certainly not impossible,’ he said.
Compliant web sites could see a 10 to 20 per cent increase in customer volumes., according to Christopherson.
Research carried out in conjunction with the Disability Rights Commission showed visitors – including able-bodied visitors – spent 35 per cent less time in navigating accessible sites.
As well as legal and ethical reasons, Christopherson believes there is a good business case for improved compliance.
He cites the relaunch of Legal & General’s commercial web site, which has seen 66 per cent maintenance cost savings, a 30 per cent increase in traffic and a 75 per cent reduction in page loading time. The firm expects to recoup its £200,000 outlay in six months through cost savings and increased ecommerce.
An investigation by the Disability Rights Commission in 2004 found that 81 per cent of voluntary sector sites failed to meet minimum standards.
How the sites measure up
Three stars represents minimum web site accessibility standards.
* * * * * www.discnwl.org.uk
* * * www.cancerresearchuk.org, www.rnib.org.uk, www.gdba.org.uk, www.citizensadvice.co.uk
* * www.ageconcernkingston.org
* www.oxfam.org.uk, www.bhf.org.uk, www.rnli.org.uk, www.otrbristol.org.uk, www.cro.org.uk
I am pleased that my comments have remained so long in the public eye. Now if The Times London that is, are awake I have sent them an open letter of reply to John Grogan, MP. Also I sent a copy to the Selby Times editor. Of course I sent my best wishes to John. However he is very reluctant to reply to me himself. I have moved a tradition of voting from Labour to another party with not one thought that it may be wrong. I detest new Labour. It is not working. Dennis
Posted by: Dennis Holdroyd 08 Jan 2008
John Grogan mp has a second floor office with very steep stairs to gain access. One would have thought that those who make the laws would obey them ? I text and write to him and get fobbed off or no reply at all. I have spent 21 years after an industrial accident trying to get things to function in my life. I have lived with cancer for fifteen years of that time and have had to struggle every inch of the way to be able to live as I wish in my own home with or without assistance. The assistance I did get was second rate. I eventually gave up and I now struggle to live alone.
Posted by: Dennis Holdroyd 07 Nov 2007
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