A world denied: a supplement for Better connected 2008 on website accessibility

Produced by: Socitm Insight

Type: Reports

This report supplements Better connected 2008 by providing more detailed analysis of the rationale and results of the accessibility testing carried out for that document.

Making websites accessible for all disabled people is critical. The internet has the potential to transform their lives, allowing them independent access to information and services for the first time. But, if websites are badly designed and badly supported, this potential is lost and the web becomes just another arena of exclusion.

Section 1 - Introduction

We set out the context for this supplement, including its purpose, our approach and key sources of information that we have used. We also define what accessibility is and remind readers of why the issue matters so much.

Section 2 - Measurement of council websites in 2008

We present results published in Better connected 2008 from the RNIB assessment. We then draw out the key findings from comparing the RNIB assessment of ten sites with the assessment by Public Sector Web Management Group (PSWMG) of the same ten sites.

We also break down the Better connected results in more detail, showing how dealing with the common failures might encourage improvement.

Section 3 - Lessons from success in 2008

We report on a survey of those councils that have achieved Level A in 2008 so that we can produce a benchmark of good practice for everyone to follow.

Section 4 - Conclusions

We summarise the main findings from the analysis of results and make seven recommendations that all councils should consider as part of their internal review of their management of accessibility. We also suggest three improvements that Better connected might make in the way in which results are presented.

Last modified: 19th January 2010