Web consultancy AbilityNet is to launch several new courses next month focusing on web accessibility and usability.

The courses include practical demonstrations for web managers, coders, editors or anyone responsible for their organisation's web sites or intranet, according to AbilityNet.

Topics covered will include an introduction to web accessibility and a discussion of the new PAS 78 best practice guide for commissioning accessible web sites.

"With a focus on practical demonstrations and the end-user experience, these courses will help in identifying issues with existing sites and those in development, as well as explaining the importance of developing a well-defined accessibility strategy," said AbilityNet's Robin Christopherson.

The courses will all be held at the offices of the British Computer Society in central London and each costs £195 + VAT per delegate or all three can be bought for £500.

In related news, Queen's University Belfast has announced that a research project funded by IT services group Eduserv has developed technology that enables visually impaired PC users to surf the web.

The product will incorporate visual, tactual and audio technologies to improve the user’s browsing experience in a way that overcomes many of the limitations of traditional screen readers, according to the organisation.