If you are considering a web presence for your organisation, or reviewing your existing site, accessibility is an issue that you can't ignore.
Web accessibility commonly refers to access for users with disabilities. Census figures suggest that around 20% of the population have some form of visual, hearing, cognitive, motor, or other impairment which affects the way they use the web. An awareness of accessibility issues at the design stage can create fewer obstacles for a wide range of people, not just those using some form of assistive technology.
Legislation is also beginning to catch up with best practice. The Disability Discrimination Act 1995 (DDA) means that a web site which does not take account of the special needs of disabled users could now be breaking the law.
FDL is a strong advocate of equal access; after all, our mission is to communicate your message as clearly, concisely, and widely as possible. An accessible web site is open to more potential customers, and can make all the difference between the success and failure of your web presence.
FDL offers services in three main areas:
Access Consultancy
We understand that your web presence does not exist in isolation. You may wish to consider online access issues within a wider review of equality awareness. FDL has made that possible by joining forces with Freeney Williams Limited, one of the country's leading consultancies in equality awareness audits and training. Together we can guide you through the implications of the Disability Discrimination Act, recommend action to ensure compliance, and conduct training; offering a coherent equality awareness package, tailored to your organisational needs.
Online Accessibility Auditing
For clients with existing web sites, FDL offers a Web Site Accessibility Audit. We will agree the level of accessibility that is appropriate for your site in advance, and deliver a full report with recommended practical steps to achieve compliance with legislation and general accessibility standards.
Our analysis and review is conducted with reference to the DDA and Web Content Accessibility Guidelines created by the Web Accessibility Initiative (part of the World Wide Web Consortium).
Accessible Site Development
As established web and multimedia developers with a special expertise in accessibility issues, FDL is well qualified to create your new web site.
An accessible site doesn't need to be a compromise. By designing them to be accessible from the start, our sites are clear, direct and purposeful. It also makes good business sense - with the right specialist approach your new accessible site can reach a wider audience, reduce maintenance costs, and translate more easily to other media (PDA or mobile phone for example), as well as keeping on the right side of the law.
If you would like to discuss any aspect of our service, or find out how these issues affect your organisation, please contact us.
