The Society for IT Management (Socitm) has launched a new DVD to alert top decision-makers in both public and private sectors of the need for their organisations to have websites designed to be accessible to all - including people with disabilities who may be using adaptive or alternative technologies, as well as those with common visual impairments, reduced mobility or dexterity, dyslexia and other issues.

A World Denied – web accessibility the movie points out that although there are clear benefits from widening the audience for an organisation’s website, by making sure it is accessible to all, some 80-90% of all websites are not currently designed to be so.

The video points out that designing an accessible website need not be expensive or difficult, but that organisations that are not taking any steps in this direction are increasingly likely to fall foul of the Disability Discrimination Act and face court action, fines and reputation damage.

Available from mid-August, A World Denied – web accessibility the movie has been produced in association with AbilityNet, the charity that helps people with disabilities make use of computers and the internet.  The DVD’s messages are aimed firmly at senior managers, in the belief that poor corporate commitment to website accessibility is due to low awareness of the issue among these decision-makers and budget-holders.  It is hoped that the messages contained in the DVD will help web managers who are themselves fully aware of accessibility issues persuade their bosses that they should invest the necessary resources in making their website accessible.  The language and content is entirely non-technical.

A World Denied assembles an impressive cast of characters to make the case for website accessibility, from Anne McGuire, Minister for Disabled People to Robin Allen QC, legal adviser to the Disability Rights Commission, from Robin Christopherson, Head of Accessibility at AbilityNet to James Corrigan, Web Manager at East Devon District Council.  Other web accessibility experts who appear include:

• Dame Jane Campbell DBE - Disability Rights Commissioner and Health and Social Care Policy Advisor for Commission for Equality and Human Rights
• Julie Howell - Director, Fortune Cookie
• Margaret Manning - CEO Reading Room
• Jeff McWhinney - Director, Significant
• James Roper - CEO Interactive Media in Retail Group

Included in the DVD are some demonstrations of how an accessible website functions, and some short case studies showing how organisations like Legal & General have benefited from making their website accessible.

‘Around eight million people in the UK are thought to suffer some form of disability causing difficulties in using a standard screen, keyboard and mouse set-up’ says Martin Greenwood of Socitm Insight. ‘With the ageing population, this number will only increase in future. Our work with local authority web managers shows that they generally have a good grasp of how web pages can be designed to accommodate facilities like screenreaders used by people with disabilities. However, resources are not always made available for this work, and by raising awareness of the issue among senior managers we hope that this will change. Generally, local authority performance on web accessibility is ahead of the private sector and that of other public sector organisations’.

Robin Christopherson, AbilityNet’s Web Consultancy Manager, says: “The case for website accessibility is compelling.  Whether from a moral, legislative or commercial perspective, suppliers of goods, services and information whose websites fail to meet minimum accessibility standards are ignoring a highly significant market sector at their peril.  Accessible sites are simply easier and more intuitive to use: they improve productivity for everyone.  When we visit a website we are seeking critical functionality - namely speed and efficiency - not a life-changing experience and research shows that able-bodied visitors also benefit, finding them easier and quicker to use by a highly significant factor of 35%.”

The 12 minute DVD has been scripted, directed and produced by public sector communications specialists Boilerhouse.  It is available free of charge to subscribers to Socitm Insight and costs £50 per copy for all other organisations, private or public sector, or £75 for three copies.  The price for not-for-profit organisations is £25 or £50 for three copies. To order, e-mail insight@socitm.gov.uk quoting name, organisation, address and number of copies (also registered charity number for voluntary sector discount).

Further information:

Journalists who would like a review copy of A World Denied should email their request to the Socitm Press office (details below). A trailer for the movie can seen at http://www.socitm.gov.uk/socitm/Library/A+world+denied.htm (go to download video link at bottom of page)

Vicky Sargent or Peter Coates, Socitm Press Office
Tel: 0845 094 5641 vicky.sargent@socitm.gov.uk or peter.coates@socitm.gov.uk

Notes to editors

The Society of IT Management represents people involved in ICT management in local authorities and other public service organisations.  Its research arm, Socitm Insight publishes Better connected, a well-known annual survey of all local authority websites that includes accessibility testing. Socitm was one of a group of organisations that produced the 2005 EU report eAccessibility of public sector services in the European Union. Socitm Insight has been able to demonstrate through evidence from its Website Takeup Service that accessible websites score higher in terms of user satisfaction than those that are less accessible.

AbilityNet is a charity that brings the benefits of computer technology to adults and children with all types of disabilities. Through its network of centres it offers a comprehensive range of services to disabled people, professionals, employers and statutory bodies. It provides free information and advice on any aspect of computer use by disabled people including individual assessment of technology needs, adapted computer equipment with full training and technical support, a programme of awareness education, and a wide range of consultancy services for employers on website and software accessibility and system and workstation adaptations.

For further details look at www.abilitynet.org.uk or call AbilityNet’s freephone helpline on: 0800 269545