Web Accessibility

We work with companies throughout the UK to develop and redevelop websites in order to be compliant with the Government guidelines on website accessibility which came into force on the 1st October 2004.

Core services for website accessibility are:

• Website accessibility design and content optimisation
• Website accessibility testing
• Provision of various web accessibility options
• Compliance to standards and guidelines including WCAG 2.0, W3C, Disability Discrimination Act (DDA) and Article 508 (US)
• Accessible websites using Content Management Systems

The Disability Discrimination Act of 1995 (DDA) states that all services - including web services and internal IT systems - should be made accessible to members of the public. The W3C, the standards governing body of the World Wide Web, has laid down guidelines to ensure website accessibility for the visually impaired and hard of hearing through the Web Accessibility Initiative (WAI) Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) - currently version 2.0.

By discriminating against visually impaired individuals website owners are exposing themselves to possible lawsuits and legal action. Several large website owners have already settled out of court rather than risk a costly ruling. Although not a UK legal case, the Sydney Olympics website suffered a costly lawsuit due to non-compliance with the guidelines.

If your website is not fully accessible it also prevents an important sector of the market from visiting your website and viewing your products and information. 20% of people in the UK have some form of disability, according to figures released by the W3C.

A Fresh Approach

The government, in association with the Disability Rights Commission (DRC), has started to put a framework in place that will ensure website accessibility to the content of the World Wide Web for people with disabilities, as detailed in the Disability Discrimination Act. Therefore, in future, the way in which websites are built will need to change. Sonet Digital implements accessibility options and builds accessible websites for companies throughout the UK which comply with these guidelines.

Essentially, those with a disability need to be considered and thus the web design community need to change the way that websites are produced.

Sonet Digital builds websites which satisfy the Government's requirements for web accessibility design. We will also comply with the W3C Web Accessibility Initiative (WAI) guidelines for accessibility at WCAG 2.0 Level-A (accessibility options which MUST be implemented) and advise whether levels Double-A (SHOULD be implemented) and Triple-A (MAY be implemented) need to be applied. We will discuss with you the appropriate level of compliance for your website and will design and build it to this level.

To read more information on Accessibility visit our article on: Web Accessibility Explained

Why Use Sonet Digital?

We have heard it said that, 'anyone can build a web page - so why do I need you?' Well, anyone can build a web page but few do it well or within the legal guidelines for web accessibility design.

If you would like further information on how we can assist with the development and design of your website then email us via out contact page or call us on 01202 567925