W3C Compliance
What is W3C exactly?
The World Wide Web Consortium (W3C) was founded in October 1994 to lead the World Wide Web to its full potential by developing specifications, guidelines and software.
One of the key areas the World Wide Web Consortium focuses on is accessibility to the Internet for all. Web accessibility means that people with disabilities can use the Internet. More specifically, Web accessibility means that people with disabilities can perceive, understand, navigate, and interact with the Internet, and that they can also contribute to the Internet.
Web accessibility encompasses all disabilities that affect access to the Internet, including visual, auditory, physical, speech, cognitive, and neurological disabilities. Millions of people have disabilities that affect their use of the Internet. Currently most websites and web software have accessibility barriers that make it difficult or impossible for many people with disabilities to use the Internet.
Making a website accessible can be a simple or complex procedure, depending on many factors such as the type of content, the size and complexity of the site, and the development tools used.
Many accessibility features are easily implemented if they are planned from the beginning of website development or a re-design. Fixing inaccessible websites can require significant effort, especially sites that were not originally "coded" properly with standard XHTML markup, and sites with certain types of content such as Flash multimedia.
The Disability Discrimination Act (DDA) Part 3 was published on 27th May 2002 and immediately made the recommendations law. If you have not addressed this requirement in the production of your company website, it means that along with the majority of websites in the UK, you have been in breach of the law for over five years.
The Disability Rights Commission launched a formal investigation into 1000 websites6, of which over 80% were found to be next to impossible for disabled people to use. They issued a stern warning that organisations will face legal action under the DDA and the threat of unlimited compensation payments if they fail to make websites accessible for people with disabilities.
Part 3 of the DDA refers to the provision of goods, facilities and services. The code of practice, which specifically mentions websites.
The relevant quotes from the 175-page Code of Practice are:
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2.2 (p7): “The Disability Discrimination Act makes it unlawful for a service provider to discriminate against a disabled person by refusing to provide any service which it provides to members of the public.”
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4.7 (p39): “From 1st October 1999 a service provider has to take reasonable steps to change a practice which makes it unreasonably difficult for disabled people to make use of its services.”
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2.13 - 2.17 (p11-13): “What services are affected by the Disability Discrimination Act? An airline company provides a flight reservation and booking service to the public on its website. This is a provision of a service and is subject to the act.”
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5.23 (p71): “For people with visual impairments, the range of auxiliary aids or services which it might be reasonable to provide to ensure that services are accessible might include ... accessible websites.”
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5.26 (p68): “For people with hearing disabilities, the range of auxiliary aids or services which it might be reasonable to provide to ensure that services are accessible might include ... accessible websites.”
At Website Analyst, we always suggest that we build websites that pass the strict W3C standards, and can be awarded these accreditations (Logo / Logo / Logo). Our experts also have experience of changing existing websites to pass the criteria.
Another area that is dependant upon W3C compliance is Browser Compatibility, click here for more information.
This Discrimination Act is very serious, and prosecutions are starting to be made, so don’t get caught out – speak to Website Analyst today! Contact Us
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