- Nearly 60% of leading disability websites fail basic accessibility checks
- Results indicate web accessibility is not yet embedded within the sector
- A handful of exemplary websites leading the sector
Surprise findings from a research survey 'Disability 50' show that the majority of disability organisations do not address accessibility needs sufficiently in their web and digital communications.
The research carried out by Ethical Media reveals the gap between the rhetoric and the reality of disability groups' communications activities and points to an urgent need to address web accessibility, usability and effective digital communications in the disability sector.
The Disability 50 Accessibility Report reviewed the standard of accessibility of 50 leading UK disability websites benchmarking these against the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) developed by global and industry-led standards body W3C.
Significantly, 58% failed to achieve a compliance level, which the WCAG state as 'compulsory'.
Head of Digital Communications at Ethical Media, Keith Patton says:
"This shows what many people have suspected for some time: that organisations in or supporting the disability sector do not yet adequately consider web accessibility and usability as a priority in their communications strategies. As a result, significant proportions of users are likely to find it difficult, even impossible, to access information, restricting the flow of communication between any given organisation and its customer base".
Although the majority of disability groups fail to comply with W3C global standards a few organisations are proving to be exemplary in this field including: AbilityNet (http://www.abilitynet.org.uk), Action for Blind People (http://www.afbp.org) British Council for Disabled People (http://www.bcodp.org.uk) and the Disability Rights Commission (http://www.drc-gb.org).
Managing Director of Ethical Media, Paul Sternberg says:
"Ethical Media's survey highlights the need for disability groups to lead by example and walk their own talk. It also shows the number of conflicting communications pressures that these organisations face. With the right approach and strategy there is no reason why disability groups can't integrate accessibility within their own communications. The risk of not doing this could have far-reaching reputational implications".
To request a copy of the full Disability 50 Accessibility Report email Keith Patton at keith@ethicalmedia.com or call 0207 833 8825 (Mobile: 07866 734 028)
You can also download this press release as a pdf:
Disability 50 Press Release (PDF 136KB)
or as a Microsoft Word document:
Disability 50 Press Release (MS Word - 119KB)
- As featured on...
- And in print...
Design Week - April 8th 2004
Third Sector magazine - April 15th 2004
New Media Age - April 2004