Accessibility, Usability and Litigation:

The onus is on the person who owns the website to make their site accessible and usable by disabled users. It is he, she or the organisations who would initially be sued.

However, if the owner is taken to court and found guilty that leaves the website designer next in line for litigation and potentially any funding body that paid a contribution towards that illegal site being built. The knock on ramifications could be horrendous for many who might consider themselves as “unenlightened bystanders”.

The UK Government has stipulated that all direct and indirect Government sites must comply to Priority 2 or WAI Level AA!

So who is at risk?

• Website Owners
• Website Designers & Developers
• Funders of Grants for website design & development
• Organisations using websites
• Anyone who has a website to which the general public has access and offers a service or product

What can you do to minimise or remove the risk?

New websites:

• Make sure that the act is taken into consideration when designing and building a website
• Make sure you have it audited by someone who knows what they are doing
• Make sure all new insertions and/or additions comply

Existing Websites:

• Have the website audited by someone who knows about the legislation and website design
• Retro-fit solutions where necessary
• Make sure all new inserts or designs meet legislative requirements
• Make use of accreditation logo’s to tell people you comply and care
• Make sure all new insertions and/or additions comply

How can you protect your company/organisation?