Web designers get accessibility guidelines

The British Standards Institution (BSI) has issued new guidelines for web designers in a bid to make websites easier for disabled people to use.

The move follows an investigation by the Disability Rights Commission (DRC), which found that 81 per cent of UK websites are inaccessible to disabled people.

Although the guidelines are voluntary, under the Disability Discrimination Act website owners should ensure any online services are accessible to disabled people.

Bert Massie, chairman of the DRC, said in a statement: "We need to ensure more websites can be used by disabled people and this document will play a key part in making that happen.

"Businesses and the web industry have a responsibility to ensure the web is barrier free to disabled people. It also makes good business sense. An accessible website is easier for both disabled and non-disabled people to use and is bound to attract more customers."

The document covers six key areas including building, publishing and maintaining websites. The BSI recommends that disabled people are involved with every step of the process to improve accessibility.