Re: FN-FORUM: Websites for the disabled

date posted 8th January 2008 10:52


On 8 Jan 2008, at 11:22, Gary Short wrote:

>
> -------- Original Message --------
>> From: Ashraf Aswat [EMAIL REMOVED]
>> Sent: 08 January 2008 09:41
>> To: "FN-FORUM / [EMAIL REMOVED] [EMAIL REMOVED]
>> Subject: FN-FORUM: Websites for the disabled
>>
>> Hi
>>
>> Anyone know where I can get the guidelines for ensuring websites meet
>> the legal requirement for the disabled?
>
> There are no legal requirements that web sites must meet for the =20
> disabled. Please note I'm not saying designers should not make their =20=

> sites accessible, to do so is a good idea as an accessible site has =20=

> lots of benefits, I'm just saying there is no legal requirement for =20=

> you to do so.

So what is the DDA all about then?

specifically:

Part III of the DDA refers to the provision of goods, facilities and =20
services. The Code of Practice, which specifically mentions websites, =20=

can be downloaded in its entirety from the Equality and Human Rights =20
Commission website.

The relevant quotes from the 175-page Code of Practice are:

=95 2.2 (p7): =93The Disability Discrimination Act makes it =
unlawful for =20
a service provider to discriminate against a disabled person by =20
refusing to provide any service which it provides to members of the =20
public.=94
=95 4.7 (p39): =93=46rom 1st October 1999 a service provider has =
to take =20
reasonable steps to change a practice which makes it unreasonably =20
difficult for disabled people to make use of its services.=94
=95 2.13 - 2.17 (p11-13): =93What services are affected by the =
Disability =20
Discrimination Act? An airline company provides a flight reservation =20
and booking service to the public on its website. This is a provision =20=

of a service and is subject to the act.=94
=95 5.23 (p71): =93For people with visual impairments, the range =
of =20
auxiliary aids or services which it might be reasonable to provide to =20=

ensure that services are accessible might include ... accessible =20
websites.=94
=95 5.26 (p68): =93For people with hearing disabilities, the =
range of =20
auxiliary aids or services which it might be reasonable to provide to =20=

ensure that services are accessible might include ... accessible =20
websites.=94=