Accessibility

What is an accessible site?

An accessible site provides all your information in a way that all your customers can read.

For example, graphics should have alternative text representations; and pages should work well with 'assistive technologies' such as screen readers, used by people with sight problems.

Why have an accessible site?

• it's fair

  People with disabilities should be able to receive information in a way that is accessible to them. Information helps all of us to make decisions and lead independent lives.

• it's the law

  You now have a legal obligation - following the implementation of section 21 of the Disability Discrimination Act - to make reasonable adjustments to ensure blind and partially sighted people can access your service.

• it makes good business sense

  Meeting the needs of all your customers makes good business sense. For example, the most common disability not catered for on the web is sight-related problems. There are 1.7 million blind and partially sighted people in the UK. This is a sizeable customer base which cannot be ignored.