 The
Law
The Disability Discrimination
Act (DDA) is a UK Government measure intended to reduce discrimination
against disabled people. This applies to websites in two ways.
Firslty, by having a website, an organisation is providing
a service and the website is therefore subject to the terms
of the DDA. Secondly, the DDA code of practice
specifically states that it is reasonable for an organisation
to provide an "accessible website".
If your website does not meet a minimum accessible standard
you could face legal action under the DDA and the threat of
unlimited compensation payments. There are now no exemptions
for small or medium sized businesses.
Accessibility Standards
Don't worry because help is at hand. The internet governing
body (W3C) have produced the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines 1.0.
These guidelines allow web designers and users to grade the
accessibility of a website.
There are three levels: Priority 1 (A Conformance), Priority
2 (AA Conformance), and Priority 3 (AAA Conformance), with
Priority 1 being the minimum. It is believed that a website
built to surpass the W3C Priority 1 standard should
be safe from legal action.
How We Can Help
Through intelligent, common sense design, GingerSnapper can:
- design your new website to surpass the W3C Priority 1
standard. This website should then achieve the legal minimum.
- upgrade an existing website to surpass the W3C Priority 1
standard.
- create or upgrade a website to
meet the W3C Priority 2 or W3C Priority 3
standards.
Please contact us if you need more information on accessibilty
issues or to discuss your website requirements.
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