Necessary Information for Policy Makers (WAB Cluster D-WAB 2.8 deliverable)
The WAB Cluster is the European Web Accessibility Benchmarking Cluster. It is a cluster of European projects to develop a harmonized European methodology for evaluation and benchmarking of websites.
WAB Cluster overview
Development of a EU-harmonised assessment methodology for Web accessibility (UWEM as Unified Web Accessibility Evaluation Methodology), based on W3C/WAI and to be synchronised with the foreseen migration from WCAG1.0 to WCAG2.0. Ensuring that evaluation tools and methods developed for global monitoring or for local evaluation, are compatible and coherent among themselves (and with WAI). Provision of a strong European feedback and contribution to WAI and others for future guidelines or versions of guidelines.
Deliverables in the WAB Cluster
The WAB cluster workpackage is organised on 6 tasks representing the different iterations needed to create UWEM. Each of them has a deliverable to provide with. The second task - numbered T-WAB1a.2 - is about "Development of preliminary unified Web site evaluation methodology (UWEM-0.5)" from month 1 to month 6 (ie, from October 2004 to March 2005). It has 8 subtasks.
This report is the deliverable of the subtask D-WAB 2.8: "Necessary information for policy makers".
Subtask : D-WAB 2.8
The deliverable of D-WAB 2.8 is a report with information for policy makers to ensure conformance of public sites (e.g. for public procurement and for certification). This group will focus primarily on decision makers and managerial responsibility and not/less on technical issues. They need human, legal and other reasons for accessibility. Also they need information about the current situation and we should include ways to provide trend data. All comments must be sent to pierre.guillou@snv.jussieu.fr (chair of Subtask D-WAB 2.8).
Relevant documents in the Education and Outreach Working Group (EOWG) of W3C/WAI are:
The table following is a zoom on national policies about Web accessibility according to relevant informations given in this report for each country. To get the full and detailed information for each country, go to the table of contents.
For each topic (public Web sites, indirect WCAG reference, ...), it answers the question against the national law (for example: is there a "indirect WCAG reference" in the national law about Web accessibility ?").
When the answer is Yes, it is written in the corresponding cell of the table. If the answer is No, a symbol "-" is written in the cell. When the question is not relevant, N.A. (Non Applicable) is written.
The column "National Label" includes labels most used in countries and not only governmental marks.
Zoom on national policies about Web accessibility
| Countries |
Law on Web accessibility |
Public Web sites |
Indirect WCAG reference |
"National" label |
Sanctions |
| Austria |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
- |
- |
| Belgium |
- |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
Minor |
| Denmark |
- |
N.A. |
- |
- |
- |
| France |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes (to be defined) |
| Germany |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
- |
Yes |
| Greece |
- |
N.A. |
- |
- |
- |
| Ireland |
Yes |
Yes |
- |
- |
Yes |
| Italy |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
| Luxembourg |
- |
Yes |
Yes |
- |
- |
| Netherlands |
- |
N.A. |
Yes |
Yes |
- |
| Portugal |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
- |
- |
| Spain |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
- |
- |
| Sweden |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
- |
- |
| United Kingdom |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
- |
Yes |
Austria
- Authors: Daniela Ortner and Sandor Herramhof from the Institute Integriert Studieren (Information updated on 4 April 2005).
- National law: Yes.
- Legal obligation (1) :
- Legal obligation (2) in preparation:
- WCAG reference:
(1) The text of the law is about Web accessibility obligation for all Web services of public administration in Austria. It demands that "internationale Standards über die Web-Zugänglichkeit auch hinsichtlich des barrierefreien Zugangs für behinderte Menschen eingehalten werden" (it means: international standards for Web Accessibility have to be taken into account also with respect to a barrier-free access for people with disabilities).Therefore, WCAG are indirectly the reference.
(2) The text demands: "Barrierefrei sind [...] Systeme der Informationsverarbeitung sowie andere gestaltete Lebensbereiche, wenn sie für Menschen mit Behinderungen in der allgemein üblichen Weise, ohne besondere Erschwernis und grundsätzlich ohne fremde Hilfe zugänglich und nutzbar sind." (it means: information technology is accessible if people with special needs can use it in a common way without help of someone else). The law mainly forces protection against discrimination. There is no reference to WCAG.
- Web sites and the law:
- Web sites concerned by the law:
(1) All Web services of public sector (ministeries, cities, local collectivities, public organisations, schools, hospitals, ...).
(2) No special statement on websites.
- Sanctions:
(1) Web services of public sector have time till 1.1.2008 to be accessible. Sanctions not yet known.
(2) Violations can be claimed by legal action through the so called "Amtshaftungsgesetz" (it means: official liability)
- Case studies (sanctioned Web sites): No case studies.
- Web accessibility label: No official Web accessibility label.
- Responsible Ministry:
(1) The Austrian Federal Chancellery handles - besides governmental tasks - several aspects concerning the information society. The coordinational responsibility for questions about information technologies apply to the "Abteilung für Medienangelegenheiten" (it means: department for media affairs). The department "Beirat für Informationsgesellschaft" (BIG) (it means: advisory board for information society) constitutes a forum for cooperation and information exchange about legal aspects and questions about information and communication technologies between ministries. Moreover, BIG represents austrian's position in terms of information technologies to international commitees.
(2) The Federal Ministry of Social Security, Generations and Consumer Protection BMSG is part of the Federal government and therefore involved in the constitution of legal terms.
- National contact(s) for Web accessibility:
- Klaus Miesenberger (Institut Integriert Studieren)
- Franz Pühretmair (Kompetenznetzwerk Informationstechnologie zur Förderung der Integration von Menschen mit Behinderung)
- National organisations:
- Additional information : No additional information.
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Belgium
- Author: Jan Engelen (Kath.Univ.Leuven-Docarch) (Information updated on 4 April 2005).
- National law: No, but obligation to produce accessible websites is based on the Anti-Discrimination law of 2003 (voted on February 25th and published in the Official Journal on March 17th 2003).
- Legal obligation:
- Title of document in primary language : [DUTCH] Wet ter bestrijding van discriminatie en tot wijziging van de wet van 15 februari 1993 tot oprichting van een Centrum voor gelijkheid van kansen en voor racismebestrijding (25.02.2003; BS 17.03.2003).
- Link to document in primary language(s): [DUTCH] + [FRENCH ] Except of the Belgisch Staatsblad/ Moniteur Belge
- Title of document in English and other language(s): [ENGLISH] Anti-Discrimination Law ; [FRENCH] Loi tendant à lutter contre la discrimination et modifiant la loi du 15 février 1993 créant un Centre pour l'égalité des changes et la lutte contre le racisme.
- Link to document in English and other language(s): no link to a document in English does exist. One of the main clauses of the law is given as: "Any lack of reasonable adjustments for people with disabilities will be considered as a form of discrimination".
- WCAG reference: There is no explicit reference to WAI in this law but more recent Flemish actions have been set up referring to an adapted version of the WAI Guidelines.
- Web sites and the law:
- Web sites concerned by the law: Not specified.
- Sanctions: Only minor sanctions are scheduled.
- Case studies (sanctioned Web sites): no legal case studies on web site accessibility do exist for the moment.
- Web accessibility label:
- National label: In 2002 a de facto organisation was set up to test the accessibility of public websites. This group, supported by the largest Belgian organisation for Blind and Visually Handicapped persons (Blindenzorg Licht en Liefde, http://www.blindenzorglichtenliefde) established the Blindsurfer label. Since 2004 a new collaboration with another large organisation, ONA (Oeuvre Nationale de Aveugles, http://www.ona.be ) was established, thereby creating a national entity.
More info in English about this label (and its graphical presentation) is at: http://www.blindsurfer.be/bsindexE.htm#3
- National evaluation/certification organisation: The Blindsurfer group is also the de facto evaluation group. Its criteria are based on the WAI guidelines. They can be found in Dutch at: http://www.blindsurfer.be/bsi004N.htm and in French at: http://www.blindsurfer.be/bsi002F.htm
Blindsurfer is also a member of the Euroaccessibility consortium.
- National accessible Web sites: The Blindsurfer group maintains a portal site, pointing to accessible websites (both public and private). It is at: http://www.blindsurfer.be/bsp000N.htm
- Responsible Ministry: There is no official ministry in charge of Web accessibility in Belgium so far. Several ministries however have contracted specialist web builders to make their sites accessible (Ministry of Justice, Federal Public Service of Finance).
Especially regional actions are growing:
Flanders:
On June 11th 2004 the Flemish Government decided (in a plan called TOEWEB, an abbreviation of Toegankelijke Websites (Accessible Websites), that the websites and (related) online services of its institutions (Flemish Parliament, the Flemish Government, the Ministry of the Flemish Community and the Flemish public institutions) should be made accessible before the end of 2007 (internet) and 2010 (intranet):
- Web sites and any related online services should be made accessible to people with disabilities and the elderly within a reasonable time frame and within the available budgets. The first results should be visible before June 30th 2005 for web sites that can easily be made accessible. Priority should be given to web sites and services on employment, welfare, mobility and explicitly addressing people with disabilities and the elderly.
- Before the end of 2005 each webmaster (within the group of websites mentioned above) should present a clear Action Plan for the period 2006 - 2010 to the Flemish Parliament. These Action Plans will need to include clear indications on timing, budgetary impact and a proposal for long-term Quality Assurance measures.
Walloon region:
All activities are coordinated by "Wall-On-Line", a special project set up (and adopted) by the Walloon Government in June 2001 to draft and put in place a concept for a multiple-purpose and accessible online Portal for all local services. The organisation ONA ("L'Oeuvre nationale des aveugles") [cf. above] is responsible for the technical aspects. A list of "priority sites" was dressed up in 2004 and made available on line. These sites should all be made accessible by the end of 2005. More info at: http://egov.wallonie.be/accessibilite/index.htm
- National contact(s) for Web accessibility:
- National/Regional organisations:
- Additional information : Additional information on the Belgian situation can be found:
- in the paper "E-accessibility initiatives undertaken in Belgium and on the demand of European Institutions in the field of e-accessibility; Les initiatives en faveur de l'accessibilité numérique en Belgique et la demande des institutions européennes", by Marc Walraven, presented at the Conference: "Policies and Legislations in favour of e-accessibility in Europe; Politiques et Législations en faveur de l'accessibilité numérique en Europe (31 Jan 2005)" and available at: http://www.braillenet.org/colloques/policies/walraven_paper.html .
- in an December 2004 article about the current Belgian situation: "Webtoegankelijkheid: eindelijk in de lift", by Jan Engelen, in Infovisie Magazine, 18_4 pag 24 e.s. , PDF version available at: http://www.esat.kuleuven.ac.be/pub/bscw.cgi/d11564/im_18_4_webaccess_artikel.pdf
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Denmark
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France
- Author: Sylvie DUCHATEAU and Pierre GUILLOU from the BrailleNet Association.
- National law: Yes (11 February 2005).
- Legal obligation:
- WCAG reference: The text of article 47 of the French law is about obligations to improve the accessibility of all Web services of the public administration in France. It talks about "les recommandations internationales pour l'accessibilité de l'internet" (which means: international guidelines for Web accessibility) that must be applied to Web services. Therefore, WCAG are indirectly the reference.
- Web sites and the law:
- Web sites concerned by the law: all Web services of the public sector (ministries, cities, local collectivities, public organisations, schools, hospitals, ...).
- Sanctions: Web services of the public sector have a period of 3 years to become accessible. A Code of Practice of the law is said to be published where sanctions will be defined.
- Case studies (sanctioned Web sites): no case studies.
- Web accessibility label:
- National label: The Code of Practice of the law will define detailed rules to be followed to get accessible Web sites according to the Référentiel accessibilité des services Internet de l'administration française de l'ADAE (Agence pour le Développement de l'Administration Electronique) (it means: Web accessibility guide for Web services of the French public sector - owner is ADAE which is the French organisation for eAdministration). This guide is fully based on AccessiWeb criteria from the BrailleNet Association (these criteria are corresponding to WCAG1.0). Therefore, even if the current text of the law does not ask for the AccessiWeb label for public Web services, it is a defacto national label.
- National evaluation/certification organisation: The BrailleNet Association certifies Web sites on the basis of its AccessiWeb label. No other organisation can deliver it. However, as the AccessiWeb label is not referred in the law, public Web sites have no obligation to ask the BrailleNet Association for evaluation or certification.
- National accessible Web sites: The BrailleNet Association has set up a gallery of Web sites certified by the AccessiWeb label.
- Responsible Ministry: ADAE (Agence pour le Développement de l'Administration Electronique) (ADAE is the French organisation for eAdministration) and is in charge of making guides for eAdministration. It has been created under the Prime Minister service and it refers to the Secrétariat à la Réforme de l'Etat (the ministry in charge of legal and working evolutions for the French administrations). Therefore, the Secrétariat à la Réforme de l'Etat could take political decisions about Web accessibility in France. However, the Ministry of People with Disabilities is the ministry which wrote the law about Web accessibility obligation for all Web services of public administration in France. Thus, there is no official ministry in charge of Web accessibility in France so far.
- National contact(s) for Web accessibility:
- National organisations:
- the BrailleNet Association (non governmental association; topic: e-inclusion of people with disabilities; activities: awareness actions, training, AccessiWeb label for Web accessibility certification).
- Additional information : no additional information.
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Germany
- Author: Olaf Perlick
- National law: Yes.
- Legal obligation (1): BGG - April 2002
- Legal obligation (2): BITV – July 2002
- Title of document in primary language: "Barrierefreie Informationstechnik-Verordnung" (BITV – July 2002)
- Link to documents in primary language:
- Title of document in English: "Ordinance on Barrier-Free Information Technology"
- Link to document in English:
- Legal obligation (3): LGGs release dates depend on federal state.
- Title of document in primary language: "Landesgleichstellungsgesetzte der Bundesländer" (LGGs)
- Link to document in primary language: Set of documents for each federal state of Germany. Some (but not all) of the federal states also have established a special "Ordinance on Barrier-Free Information Technology for the federal state of ..." for their area of responsibility. These ordinances vary widely in regards to their references to WCAG and the federal BITV mentioned above.
- Title of document in English: "Act on Equal Opportunities for Disabled Persons for federal state of ..."
- Link to document in English: A link list for the set of LGGs for the federal states of Germany can be found under http://www.wob11.de/gesetze/landesgleichstellungsgesetz.html
- WCAG reference: Federal BITV The federal BITV is based on WCAG 1.0 with some minor changes:
- WCAG Priorities A & AA have been integrated in Priority I of the German BITV.
- WCAG Priority AAA corresponds to Priority II of the German BITV.
- Checkpoint 2.2 der WCAG 1.0 which already had 2 priorities assigned has been devided into the checkpoints 2.2 (color contrast in images) and 2.3 (added – color contrast for text) of the federal BITV. BITVs for the federal states of germany.
- The referencing of WCAG is very nonuniform. While some BITVs for federal states completely adapt the federal BITV, others adapt only a subset, or have their completely different definitions. Some of the federal states of Germany even don't have their own BITV.
- Web sites and the law:
- Web sites concerned by the law: Federal BITV Definition of scope taken from the english translation of BITV: This ordinance shall apply to:
- websites and webpages
- websites and webpages which are publicly accessible
- graphic user interfaces created on the basis of information technology which are publicly accessible of authorities of the Federal Administration.
BITVs for the federal states of germany Scope is defined in each of the LGGs/BITVs for the federal states
- Sanctions: Federal administration webpages Registered organisations for handicapped people have the right to take legal actions to speak for the rights of handicapped people discriminated by information technology of the federal administration not compliant to the federal BITV. Webpages of administration of federal states Sanctions depend on the LGG/BITV for the certain federal state. Private webpages (covered by the federal BITV) of private companies have the obligation to begin negotiation with registered organisations for handicapped people to generate "targeted agreements" (translation by the author of "Zielvereinbarungen") that regulate the technical measure to be undertaken by the private company to implement the BITV.
Important: Only to conduct negotiations is mandatory, not to come to a result.
- Case studies (sanctioned Web sites): There has been no precedence.
- Web accessibility label:
- National label: No official national label exists. There is a range of labels based on the BITV given by organisations and private companies.
- National evaluation/certification organisation: Not available (There are efforts of the german DIN-CERTCO undertaken at the moment to establish a national label and several national certification centres. - http://www.din-certco.de/ )
- National accessible Web sites: The winners of the annual German Biene award: http://www.einfach-fuer-alle.de/award2004/#ergebnisse
- Responsible Ministry: "Bundesministerium für Gesundheit und Soziales" (BMGS) www.bmgs.de
At the moment, responsibilities are restructured, so part of them might already be here: "Bundesverwaltungsamt" (BVA)
- National contact(s) for Web accessibility: FTB und Fraunhofer FIT establish the national contact centre of EDeAN (European Design for All e-Accessibility Network), kontakt@dfa-deutschland.de
- National organisations: A lot of national organisations that are major players in the field of web accessibility are members or supporters of the German ABI project. Their contact details can be found on the corresponsing pages of the ABI project:
Partner: http://www.abi-projekt.de/wir_ueber_uns/partner.html
Supporter: http://www.abi-projekt.de/wir_ueber_uns/unterstuetzer.html
- Additional information : Webpage of the ABI project: www.wob11.de
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Greece
- Author: Jenny Craven (j.craven@mmu.ac.uk) with grateful thanks to the Foundation for Research and Technology - Hellas (FORTH) (ww.ics.forth.gr) and the University of Macedonia, Economic and Social Sciences Library (http://www.lib.uom.gr/english) for their input.
- National law: Currently there is no specific legal framework that refers to web accessibility. However, the recently revised Hellenic Constitution in Article 5A, Section II states:
- 1. All persons are entitled to information, as specified by law. Restrictions to this right may be imposed by law only insofar as they are absolutely necessary and justified for reasons of national security, of combating crime or of protecting rights and interests of third parties.
- 2. All persons are entitled to participate in the Information Society. Facilitation of access to electronically handled information, as well as of the production, exchange and diffusion thereof constitutes an obligation of the State, always in observance of the guarantees of articles 9, 9A and 19.
As a result, there are at present on-going discussions for appropriate legislation to be enacted in the near future.
Other relevant legislation:
- 1975: Constitution (as amended in 2001)2003:
- Ministerial Decree 8300/2003
- "Regulation of the Libraries' Operation", Article 4.8 (Services to Impaired Users)
- 2005: Presidential Decree 13/2005
- Legal obligation: None, however:
In the 1975 Constitution (as amended in 2001), Article 5A, Clauses 1-2, say that everyone has the right to information and the right to participate in the Information Society. Facilitating access of people to any electronic information is a duty of the State.
Ministerial Decree 8300/2003 "Regulation of the Libraries' Operation", Article 4.8 (Services to Impaired Users) says that especially for the persons with visual impairment, the libraries should provide for digital material.
Presidential Decree 13/2005 establishes the foundation of Disability Units in the Ministry of the Interior and all the institutions this Ministry supervises (meaning the whole public sector in Greece ). The Decree describes the duties and responsibilities of these Units. Emphasis is given on physical accessibility to premises etc., but accessibility to e-government is also mentioned.
- WCAG reference: No information at present
- Web sites and the law:
- Web sites concerned by the law: N.A.
- Sanctions: N.A.
- Case studies (sanctioned Web sites): No examples at present.
- Web accessibility label:
- National label: None
- National evaluation/certification organisation:
There is no single body that is legally responsible for web accessibility evaluation/certification. However, the main actors active in this topic are mainly research institutes and include the following:
Centre for Universal Access and Assistive Technologies of the Institute of Computer Science, Foundation of Research and Technology - Hellas (ICS-FORTH): http://www.ics.forth.gr/hci/ua_at_centre.html.
The adoption of a certification mechanism has been proposed by a study conducted by the University of Crete . The issue is a subject of discussion of the Task Force on "Universal Access and Usability in the Information Society by all citizens, including people with disabilities and other disadvantaged groups of the Secretariat for the Information Society of the Hellenic Ministry of Economy and Finance.
- National accessible Web sites:
Ministry of Health and Welfare http://www.mohaw.gr/gr/index_html (available only in greek).
Portal of the Greek National Network GR-DeAN, which participates in EDeAN, the European Design for All eAccessibility Network: www.e-accessibility.gr
- Responsible Ministry: There is no single body that is legally responsible for web accessibility. However, the Secretariat for the Information Society of the Hellenic Ministry of Economy and Finance has played a coordinating role in this respect in recent years.
Furthermore, a Task Force has been setup in April 2002 by the Secretariat for the Information Society of the Hellenic Ministry of Economy and Finance on issues related to "Universal Access and Usability in the Information Society by all citizens, including people with disabilities and other disadvantaged groups, in the context of the 3rd Community Support Programme (http://en.infosoc.gr/). The Task Force has an advisory role to the Secretariat for the Information Society on related issues in the planning and implementation phases of the Operational Programme "Information Society". Additionally, the role of the Task Force is to propose specific activities in the context of implementation of the eEurope Action Plan at national level. It is in this framework that the National Network on Design for All (GR-DeAN, www.e-accessibility.gr) has been established in 2003 as a member of the European Network on Design for All (EDeAN). GR-DeAN aims to promote the wide application of the "Universal Access" and "Design for All" principles in Greece , and to support activities towards equal participation of people with disabilities to the Information Society.
The Ministry of Economy and Finance and the Final Beneficiary is the Managing Authority of the Operational Program "Information Society" (OPIS) http://www.mnec.gr/ (in Greek)
The Ministry of Development http://www.ypan.gr/index_uk.htm
- National contact(s) for Web accessibility:
The Greek National Network GR-DeAN. Contacts available at: http://www.e-accessibility.gr/contactus.asp
W3C Greek Office: http://www.w3c.gr/ (in Greek)
- National organisations:
NGOs: The Greek National Network GR-DeAN participates in EDeAN, the European Design for All eAccessibility Network, contributing to the implementation of the eAccessibility action plan targets and the eEurope initiative of the European Commission. The GR-DeAN Network aims to promote the application of the "Universal Access and Usability" and "Design for All" principles in Greece , and to support activities towards equal participation of people with disability to the Information Society in Greece .
The National Confederation of People with Disability of Greece : ESAEA http://www.esaea.gr
DISABILITY NOW: http://www.disabled.gr/
RESEARCH INSTITUTES:
Centre for Universal Access and Assistive Technologies of the Institute of Computer Science , Foundation of Research and Technology - Hellas (ICS-FORTH), http://www.ics.forth.gr/hci/ua_at_centre.html
Department of Informatics and Telecommunications of the University of Athens http://www2.di.uoa.gr/en/
Department of Product & Systems Design Engineering of the University of the Aegean http://www.syros.aegean.gr/en/default.htm
Department of Computer Engineering and Informatics of the University of Patras http://www.ceid.upatras.gr/en/
Institute of Language and Speech Processing - ILSP http://www.ilsp.gr/
- Additional information :
The work concerning web accessibility in Hellas is mainly of RTD nature carried out by research and academic initiations. An overview of this work was presented in a study contacted by the University of Crete (available only in Greek).
C. Stephanidis (Ed.) (2004). Universal Access and Equal Participation of people with disabilities in the Information Society (final draft, in Greek). Operational Programme "Information Society" of the 3rd Community Support Programme (Secretariat for the Information Society, Hellenic Ministry of Economy and Finance).
Greece and the Information Society http://en.infosoc.gr/content/downloads/WPEngFINAL.pdf
The InfoSociety Portal: http://en.infosoc.gr/
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Ireland
- Author: Barry MCMULLIN from the eAccess Lab at Dublin City University.
- National law: Yes (26th April, 2000).
- Legal obligation:
- WCAG reference: This is a general act, making it illegal to discriminate on a number of grounds including disability: there is no explicit mention of WCAG. The Act covers discrimination in the provision of
... a service or facility of any nature which is available to the public generally or a section of the public
. "Discrimination" here includes ... a refusal or failure by the provider of a service to do all that is reasonable to accommodate the needs of a person with a disability by providing special treatment or facilities, if without such special treatment or facilities it would be impossible or unduly difficult for the person to avail himself or herself of the service.
Thus, prima facie, the Act would appear to cover discrimination in the provision of online and web based services. However, to date, there is no specific case law which might clarify this.
- Web sites and the law:
- Web sites concerned by the law: The Equal Status Act applies generally to all individuals and organisations operating in Ireland; thus, to the extent that services are offered to the public in Ireland via a website, where the website is effectively operated or controlled within Ireland, then that website would presumably be subject to its provisions.
- Sanctions: The Equal Status Act currently allows two specific forms of redress for specific acts of discrimination:
- An order for compensation of up to €6,349.
- An order for a specified person to take a specified action (e.g., to cease the disciminatory act or policy).
- Case studies (sanctioned Web sites): no case studies.
- Web accessibility label:
- National label:
- There is no currently established national label.
- The Irish National Programme for Prosperity and Fairness, agreed by the social partners in February 2000, contained an explicit commitment that
... the [Irish] National Disability Authority [NDA] will issue guidelines in accordance with international norms and will award an accessibility symbol to compliant public offices.
- In June 2002, the NDA issued national guidelines for accessibility of all Information Technology products and services. In the case of websites, these guidelines are essentially equivalent to WCAG 1.0. However, they have no formal or legal force, and no associated certification or label scheme.
- In August 2004 the NDA issued a consultation document entitled NDA Draft Guidelines - Improving Accessibility of Public Services to People with Disabilities, which states that, over the next three years, the NDA will
... [a]ward an Accessibility Symbol to compliant public services.
Note that this symbol would relate only to public services, but would address all aspects of access to such services for people with a disability - i.e., not just accessibility of web services. In the specific context of web services, the document proposes conformance to WCAG 1.0 Level-AA as an appropriate criterion for accessibility.
- National evaluation/certification organisation: As there is no existing national label, there is no existing evaluation or certification organisation. Assuming the NDA does create its symbol for accessible public services, they will presumably be the certification organisation for that. However, it is not yet who would undertake evaluation.
- National accessible Web sites: There is no formal gallery or directory of national accessible web sites.
- Responsible Ministry: The Department of Justice, Equality and Law Reform has general responsibility for disability policy and legislation, including overseeing the work of the NDA. However, the Information Society Policy unit at the Department of the Taoiseach [Prime Minister] also has a specific role in Information Society activities, including e-inclusion.
- National contact(s) for Web accessibility:
- Donal RICE (ICT Accessibility Coordinator, Irish National Disability Authority)
- Barry MCMULLIN (Director, eAccess Lab, Dublin City University)
- Hugh O'NEILL (eDean National Contact, Central Remedial Clinic)
- Mark MAGENNIS (Director, Centre for Inclusive Technology, National Council for the Blind of Ireland)
- National organisations:
- Additional information : no additional information.
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Italy
- Author: Patrizia Bertini
- National law: Yes, 9 january 2004
- Legal obligation:
- WCAG reference: indirectly the Italian law refers to the Guidelines raccomended by the European Union as stated in article 12: "Art. 12 (International regulations) 1. The regulations mentioned in article 10 and the decree mentioned in article 11 have been issued in compliance with the guidelines suggested in the communications, recommendations and directives on accessibility of the European Union as well as those suggested by internationally acknowledged regulations, taking into account the recommendations put forward by public and private organizations working in this sector."
- Web sites and the law:
- Web sites concerned by the law: Public Web sites www.pubbliaccesso.gov.it, www.innovazione.gov.it
- Sanctions: the first refers to governments in Art. 9.1: "Art. 9 (Responsibility)
- 1. Failure to comply with the provisions of the present law implies both executive responsibility and disciplinary action pursuant to the articles 21 and 55 of the legislative decree n. 165 dated March 30 2001, as well as possible criminal prosecution and civil liability provided for by the current laws." and Art. 4.2 which refers to webagencies and suppliers: "
- 2. The subjects mentioned in article 3, subsection 1, cannot draw up contracts for the implementation and modification of INTERNET websites, if they fail to respect the accessibility requirements provided for in the Decree article 11; any stipulated contract failing to respect such requirements will be considered null and void. All existing contracts signed before the Decree article 11 comes into effect must adhere to the provisions relating to accessibility requirements of the same law, in the event of the contract's extension, modification or renewal; any extended, modified or renewed contract which fails to respect such requirements will be declared null and void, while upgrading to meet such requirements should be carried out no later than twelve months from the date the Decree comes into force."
- Case studies (sanctioned Web sites): examples of sanctions applied to Web sites which did not follow the law (Web site, URL, sanction, date); N/A as the law had been approved but still not in force.
- Web accessibility label: yes. I attache to the mail. Government can auto-verify their websites' accessibility and if authomatic tools give a positive answer can apply the official nationa logo. The logo allows different levels of conformance, so if governments ask certified evaluators* to verify their websites, they can have the same logo claiming a higher level of compliance. Private websites can ask for the logo only if they allow the evaluators to verify the websote accessibility and only evaluators can decide if private sites are accessible or not. * It's still unknown who is gonna be the offical evaluator, there are still no information on the knowledge and expertice of these evaluators.
- National label: Yes, required by the national law.
- National evaluation/certification organisation: CNIPA (National Commettee for informatics in governmetal offices - Consiglio nazionale Informatica Pubblica amministrazione) will define the list of official evaluators to whiom private shall ask for evaluation. Government websites can certify by themself the first level of compliance (by authomatic tools and methodologies which are going to be defined by the law). for a better conformance level, also government websites are required to ask for official evaluators. Logo validity is 12 months. website: www.cnipa.gov.it
- National accessible Web sites: N/A
- Responsible Ministry: http://www.innovazione.gov.it/ Ministry of innovation and technologies, Actual minister is Lucio Stanca.
- National contact(s)for Web accessibility: Officers from CNIPA, Mr. Pierluigi Ridolfi, email not available publicly. in case of disclaimers people can get in touch with CNIPA.
- National organisations: CNIPA
- Additional information: No additional information.
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Luxembourg
- Author: Gérard SOISSON and Gautier BARRERE from Service eLuxembourg (SEL).
- National law: No.
- Reference : "Charte de normalisation de la présence sur Internet de l'état" (official standardization document approved by the National Commission for Information Society, the 30th of May 2002). This official document is a set of mandatory guidelines for all public institutions creating a Web site. The main goals of this document are :
- to develop a corporate identity for all public portals and Web sites of the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg,
- to create public Web sites that respect quality criterias such as usability and accessibility,
- to insure quality by strict project management,
- ...
- Web sites concerned by the standardization document : All public Web sites (for example www.gouvernement.lu). An extension could be done for non public organizations that have official mission. A new version of the document, including usability and accessibiliy guidelines will soon be available. One Web site already takes into account substantial parts of this new version (see Luxembourg Presidency of the Council of the European Union).
- Sanctions: A centralized infrastructure permits SEL to validate Web sites (on looking at the standardization document) before launching them online.
- Responsible entity: Service eLuxembourg (SEL is a government service in charge of planification and coordination of eGovernance in Luxembourg).
- National contact(s) for Web accessibility:
- Gérard SOISSON (Director of the eLuxembourg Strategy and Communication department)
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Netherlands
- Author: Martin Kosterman ( Bartiméus Accessibility Foundation) .
- National law: No, but obligation to produce accessible websites is based on the Act on equal treatment on the grounds of handicap or chronic illness of December 2003
- Legal obligation:
- Title of document in primary language: Wet gelijke behandeling op grond van handicap of chronische ziekte (Stb . 2003, 206)
- Link to document in primary language: Dutch laws (Search for 'Wet gelijke behandeling op grond van handicap of chronische ziekte') or Commissie Gelijke behandeling
- Title of document in English:Act on equal treatment on the grounds of handicap or chronic illness (Stb . 2003, 206).
- Link to document in English: Commission Equal Treatment.
- WCAG reference: There is no reference to WCAG in the law.
- Web sites and the law:
- Web sites concerned by the law: Not specified
- Sanctions: No sanctions specified
- Case studies (sanctioned Web sites): no case studies on web site accessibility
- Web accessibility label:
- National label: From 2002 till 2004 the 'Drempels Weg' evaluation was active. From beginning of 2005 this unofficial evaluation was replaced with the 'Quality Mark drempelvrij.nl'. Foundation drempelvrij.nl is the supervisor of the quality mark. The criteria of drempelvrij.nl are based on the WCAG 1.0 priority 1 checkpoints.
- National evaluation/certification organisation: The Bartiméus Accessibility Foundation is the first certified inspection organistion.
- National accessible Web sites: A register with sites with the official quality mark is available at www.drempelvrij.nl/register. At the site of Accessibility is a register with sites with the quality mark and/or the 'Drempels Weg Evaluation logo'.
- Responsible Ministry: Ministry of Health, Welfare and Sport.
- National contact(s) for Web accessibility:
- National/Regional organisations:
- Additional information :
- More information on the Quality Mark can be found at www.drempelvrij.nl
- More information on the Quality Mark Evaluation Scheme can be found at www.accessibility.nl/toetsing
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Portugal
- Author: Fernandes, Jorge
- National law: Yes (August, 26 1999);
- Legal obligation:
- WCAG reference: The Portuguese law does not mention directly the WCAG. The reference is more abroad: "The methods chosen for organizing and presenting the information (...) must permit or facilitate access thereto to all citizens with special needs." (art. 1; point 1.1 of RCM97/99) and precise in point 1.2 "The accessibility referred to in article 1.1 above shall apply, as a minimum requirement, to all information relevant to the full understanding of the contents and for the search of same." and the general guidelines mention in law are: "To achieve the goals referred to in the previous article, the organizations mentioned therein must prepare both the written contents and the layout of their Internet pages so as to ensure that: a) Reading can be performed without resorting to sight, precision movements, simultaneous actions or pointing devices, namely mouses. b) Information retrieval and searching can be performed via auditory, visual or tactile interfaces." (art. 2 of RCM97/99).
- Web sites and the law:
- Web sites concerned by the law: "(...) by General Directorates and similar agencies, departments or services, as well as that rendered available by any public corporations (...)" (art. 1 of RCM97/99). Universities, Schools, State corporations like State Television, Radio or Bank are included.
- Sanctions: No sanctions.
- Case studies (sanctioned Web sites): No case studies.
- Web accessibility label:
- National label: No but Portuguese web accessibility legislation mentions accessibility label : "The web sites of the organizations covered by this Legislative Act, when in with the accessibility requirements established herein, must contain indication to this effect in the form of a clearly-recognizable symbol". It is mentioned at the codes of practice (Visitability Requirements & Web Public Procurement Annex). Label must be fixed at HomePage. There is a promotion of the NCAM's Web Access Symbol http://ncam.wgbh.org/webaccess/symbolwinner.html
- National evaluation/certification organisation: "The Minister for Science and Technology shall monitor and evaluate the enforcement of this Legislative Act, and shall inform the Government regularly of the progress of its application." (art. 5). Was produced two reports (Feb. 2002 & Dez. 2003).
The Unit ACESSO (that belong to UMIC) - http://www.acesso.umic.pcm.gov.pt - produced evaluation/consulting Work. They don't have any certification system implemented.
- National accessible Web sites: The Accessibility Gallery (Websites that have the accessibility label fixed at homepage) is at: http://www.acesso.umic.pcm.gov.pt/galeria.htm .
- Responsible Ministry: Ministry of Science, Technology & High Education (http://www.mctes.pt); UMIC (http://www.umic.pcm.gov.pt); ACESSO (http://www.acesso.umic.pcm.gov.pt)
- National contact(s) for Web accessibility:
Jorge Fernandes
Programa ACESSO da UMIC
TagusPark - Edifício Inovação I - 2º andar, Sala 124
2780-920 Porto Salvo
Tel: 21 391 84 00 Fax: 21 391 84 48
email: jfernandes@umic.pcm.gov.pt
http://www.acesso.umic.pcm.gov.pt
- National organisations:
Jorge Fernandes
Programa ACESSO of UMIC
TagusPark - Edifício Inovação I - 2º andar, Sala 124
2780-920 Porto Salvo
Tel: 21 391 84 00 Fax: 21 391 84 48
email: jfernandes@umic.pcm.gov.pt
http://www.acesso.umic.pcm.gov.pt
Francisco Godinho
CERTIC of UTAD
Edifício de Engenharias II, Apartado 1013
5000-911 Vila Real - Portugal
http://www.acessibilidade.net
godinho@utad.pt
- Additional information :
Requisitos de Visitabilidade/Visitability Requirements:
http://www.acesso.umic.pcm.gov.pt/acesso/visitabil.htm
Accessibility/Visitability Requirements:
http://www.acesso.umic.pcm.gov.pt/acesso/vis_en.htm .
Manual "Acessibilidade aos sítios Web da AP para Cidadãos com Necessidades Especiais - Requisitos de Visitabilidade" / Manual: "Accessibility of Public Administration Web Sites to Citizens with Special Needs - Visitability Requirements (portuguese only):
http://www.acesso.umic.pcm.gov.pt/abc/manualv1.htm .
Guia de Boas Práticas na Construção de Web Sites da Administração Directa e Indirecta do Estado/ Guide of Constructing Web Sites of Direct and Indirect State Administration (portuguese only):
http://www.umic.gov.pt/UMIC/CentrodeRecursos/Publicacoes/guia_boas_praticas.htm .
Anexo ao Caderno de Encargos: "Acessibilidade à Web por Cidadãos com Necessidades Especiais"/Annex to Web Public Procurement Procedures: "Web Accessibility by Citizens with Special Needs"
http://www.acesso.umic.pcm.gov.pt/recursos/anexo.htm .
CD Kit/ACESSO UMIC para profissionais Web/CD Kit ACESSO/UMIC to Web Professionals:
http://www.acesso.umic.pcm.gov.pt/recursos/kit_umic.htm .
Curriculo das Directrizes de Acessibilidade do Conteúdo da Web 1.0/WCAG Curriculum:
http://www.acesso.umic.pcm.gov.pt/curriculo/index.html .
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Spain
- Author: Lourdes González and Alan Chuter from Soledad Clemente.
- National law: Yes. There are four national laws related to accesibility
- Legal obligation (1):
- Title of document in primary language: [Spanish] Ley 34/2002, de 11 de junio, de Servicios de la Sociedad de la Información y Comercio Electrónico (LSSICE). Disposición adicional quinta .
- Link to document in primary language: http://www.boe.es/boe/dias/2003-12-03/pdfs/A43187-43195.pdf
- Title of document in English: Law 34/2000, june 11th. About information society services and e-commerce.
- Link to document in English: no link to document in English.
- Legal obligation (2):
- Title of document in primary language: [Spanish] 51/2003, de 2 de diciembre, de igualdad de oportunidades, no discriminación y accesibilidad universal de las personas con discapacidad. Disposición final séptima.
- Link to document in primary language: http://www.boe.es/boe/dias/2003-12-03/pdfs/A43187-43195.pdf
- Title of document in English: Law 51/2003, december 2nd, EQUALITY OF OPPORTUNITIES, NonDiscrimination And UNIVERSAL ACCESSIBILITY for The PEOPLE WITH disabilities
- Link to document in English: no link to document in English.
- Legal obligation (3):
- Title of document in primary language: [Spanish] Real Decreto 209/2003, de 21 de febrero, sobre registros y las notificaciones telemáticas. Disposición final primera.
- Link to document in primary language: http://noticias.juridicas.com/base_datos/Admin/rd209-2003.html
- Title of document in English: Royal Decree 209/2003, february 21st. About registries and the telematic notifications.
- Link to document in English: no link to document in English.
- Legal obligation (4):
- Title of document in primary language: [Spanish] Ley 59/2003, de 19 de diciembre, de firma electrónica. Disposición adicional novena.
- Link to document in primary language: http://www.setsi.mcyt.es/legisla/internet/ley59_03/sumario.htm
- Title of document in English: Law 59/2003. december 19th. About electronic signature
- Link to document in English: no link to document in English.
- WCAG reference: The law 24/2002 makes reference to obligatory to fulfill the accessibility criteria recognized generally, without mention W3C as the most important organization in accesibility issues. On the contrary, the Royal Decree 209/2003 speaks about the WCAG guidelines as an obligation to reach the AA accesibility level.
- Web sites and the law:
LSSICE (Law 34/2000), june 11th. About information society services and e-commerce) especifies that all web sites thal belongs to public administration or pubic founds financed have to be accesible before december 31st 2005. Although the actions needed to demand the fulfillment of the law are considered, sanctions are not mentioned.
The law consider actions as:
Article 8. Restrictions to the benefit of services.In case any service from the information society attempt or could attempt against the principles that are expressed next, the organizations in charge on their protection, in exercise of the functions that they have legally attributed, could execute the actions needed to stop the benefit of the servide or remove the data that harm them.
- Web accessibility label:
- National label :
- National evaluation/certification organisation: There are not organisms reconized by laws that can evaluate an certificate. There are companies that evaluate and certificate accesibility of websites. These companies guarantee the evaluations with their :
- National accessible Web sites:
- Responsible Ministry: http://www.mityc.es/
- National contact(s) for Web accessibility:
- Enrique Varela Couceiro(Consejero Delegado, FundosaTeleservicios)
- Blanca Alcanda Correa (Director, Fundosa Teleservicios)
- National organisations: Fundación ONCE: http://www.fundaciononce.es
- Additional information : no additional information.
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Sweden
- Author: Alistair Garrison (alistair.garrison@accessinmind.com)
- National Law: Yes (National Disability law published in March 2000)
- Legal obligation: "From patient to citizen" emphasised that the state should lead by example and gave government authorities "responsibility for ensuring that their premises, activities and information are accessible to people with disabilities".
Authorities were tasked with submitting individual action plans by 21 December 2001 for making their buildings, information and other activities accessible to people with disabilities and to implement these measures no later than 2005.
- Supporting guidelines for Websites: Published in June 2004 (Version 2)
- Title of document in primary language: Vägledningen 24-timmarswebben 2.0
- Link to document in primary language: http://www.e-namnden.se/24-timmarswebben
- Title of document in English: None
- Link to document in English: None
- WCAG reference: Vägledningen 24-timmarswebben 2.0 incorporates material from all WCAG 1.0 Checkpoints (Level 'A', 'Double-A' and 'Triple-A').
- Web sites and the law:
- Web sites concerned by the law: All public sector websites.
- Sanctions: None
- Benchmarking Studies: Yes
- Case studies (sanctioned Web sites): None
- Web accessibility label: None
- National label: None
- National evaluation/certification organisation: None
- National accessible Web sites: N.A.
- Responsible Ministry: Statskontoret
- National contact(s) for Web accessibility:
- The Swedish Disability Ombudsman
- The Swedish Agency for Public Management
- National organisations:
- Additional information: no additional information.
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United Kingdom
- Author: Jenny Craven (J.craven@mmu.ac.uk) with grateful thanks to David Sloan, Project Leader: Digital Media Access Group (http://www.dmag.org.uk/) for his input.
- Country: United Kindom
- National law: Yes.
UK legislation relevant to web accessibility is the Disability Discrimination Act (DDA) 1995. The DDA was amended by the passing of Special Educational Needs and Disability Act (SENDA), 2001 to cover provision of educational services. DDA/SENDA cover an individuals rights of access to goods, facilities and services, including education. Other pieces of legislation mentioned below could be interpreted to include web accessibility, although no specific mention is made of it.
- Legal obligation:
- The Disability Discrimination Act 1995, Part III Access to Goods and Services, Part IV Education: http://www.legislation.hmso.gov.uk/acts/acts1995/1995050.htm
- Special Educational Needs and Disability Act 2001: http://www.hmso.gov.uk/acts/acts2001/20010010.htm
- DDA Code of Practice: Rights of Access- Goods, Facilities, Services and Premises, 7 March 2002. The role of the Code of Practice is to provide a guide to what might or might not be considered unlawful under the DDA: http://www.drc-gb.org/uploaded_files/documents/2008_223_drc_cop_rights_of_Access.doc
Quotes relevant to web accessibility are:
2.2 (p7): The Disability Discrimination Act makes it unlawful for a service provider to discriminate against a disabled person by refusing to provide any service which it provides to members of the public.
4.7 (p39): From 1st October 1999 a service provider has to take reasonable steps to change a practice which makes it unreasonably difficult for disabled people to make use of its services.
2.13 - 2.17 (p11-13): What services are affected by the Disability Discrimination Act? An airline company provides a flight reservation and booking service to the public on its website. This is a provision of a service and is subject to the act.
5.23 (p71): For people with visual impairments, the range of auxiliary aids or services which it might be reasonable to provide to ensure that services are accessible might include ... accessible websites.
5.26 (p68): For people with hearing disabilities, the range of auxiliary aids or services which it might be reasonable to provide to ensure that services are accessible might include ... accessible websites.
- Digital Media Access Group: http://www.dmag.org.uk/resources/legal/ddacode.asp
- Sloan M (2001) Web Accessibility and the DDA. Journal of Internet Law and Technology 2001: 2 http://www2.warwick.ac.uk/fac/soc/law/elj/jilt/2001_2/sloan/
- Other legislation:
- WCAG reference: No reference in law.
- Web sites and the law:
- Web sites concerned by the law: Information unavailable at present.
- Sanctions:
- The courts and Employment Tribunals (and in Scotland, the Sheriff Courts) continue to be the means for individuals to obtain legal redress.
http://www.employmenttribunals.gov.uk/default.asp
http://www.scotcourts.gov.uk/index1.asp?path=%2Fhtml%2Fsheriff.htm
- The Disability Rights Commission (DRC): The DRC continues to have enforcement powers and can support individual disabled people with legal complaints. Where new measures are being proposed, or existing measures are being extended, enforcement and sanctions will involve the tribunals, courts and DRC as appropriate. The DRC, as part of its overall duty to monitor the DDA, will keep the legislative framework under review and come forward with proposals for change as and when it believes they are required. The DRC also has the power to conduct Formal Investigations into any issues relating to its remit, and did so in 2003 when it launched the Formal Investigation into UK web site accessibility. http://www.drc-gb.org/
Source: http://www.disability.gov.uk/legislation
- Case studies (sanctioned Web sites):
- There is no case law yet in the UK applying the law (e.g. the DDA) to web sites. In 2003, the RNIB were involved in out-of-court settlements of two cases (further details are not available).
- Web accessibility label:
- National label: No
- National evaluation/certification organisation: Royal National Institute of the Blind (RNIB) See it Right Accessible Web Standard. No case has been brought to court in the United Kingdom to date, so there is no case law guidance. The RNIB See it Right website accessibility requirements recommend that websites exceed the basic level of compliance that the World Wide Web Consortium (W3C) recommend in their Website Accessibility Guidelines (WAG) version 1.0.
http://www.rnib.org.uk/xpedio/groups/public/documents/publicwebsite/public_seeitrightaudit.hcsp
- National accessible Web sites:
- The See it Right logo is awarded to websites that have undergone a web accessibility audit by the RNIB:
http://www.rnib.org.uk/xpedio/groups/public/documents/publicwebsite/public_accessiblewebsites.hcsp
- National Library for the Blind (NLB) Visionary Design Awards
The Visionary Design Awards are part of an ongoing campaign by the National Library for the Blind (NLB) to encourage website publishers and designers to consider access technology such as magnification, text to speech and refreshable Braille when they are designing their sites. Sites are nominated and then evaluated by the NLB before being considered for a VDA.
http://www.visionary-design.org/
- Responsible Ministry:
The following all have a remits for/stake in web accessibility:
For UK Government websites it is the e-Government Unit: The e-Government Unit works with departments to deliver efficiency savings while improving the delivery of public services by joining up electronic government services around the needs of customers.
http://www.cabinetoffice.gov.uk/e-government/responsibilities/
- National contact(s) for Web accessibility:
- National organisations:
AbilityNet: AbilityNet is the UK's leading charity bringing the benefits of computer technology to adults and children with disabilities. It provides a wide range of services to individuals, professionals in the field of disability, employers and the public sector.
http://www.abilitynet.org.uk/content/home.htm
Cabinet Office e-Government Unit: The e-Government Unit works with departments to deliver efficiency savings while improving the delivery of public services by joining up electronic government services around the needs of customers. http://www.cabinetoffice.gov.uk/e-government/about/
Disability Rights Commission: The Disability Rights Commission (DRC) is an independent body established in April 2000 by Act of Parliament to stop discrimination and promote equality of opportunity for disabled people.
http://www.drc-gb.org/
Guild of Accessible Web Designers: GAWDS is a world-wide association of organisations and accessible web designers and developers - designed to both promote and protect standards - not technical standards - but accessible design standards.
http://www.gawds.org
National Library for the Blind (NLB): Offers accessibility audits for websites, accessible website design, training in accessible website design, a free "Ten Tips leaflet" listing simple ways to make your website more accessible.
http://www.nlb-online.org/mod.php?mod=userpage&menu=170300&page_id=54/
Royal National Institute of the Blind (RNIB): The RNIB is a UK charity that offers information, support and advice to over two million people with sight problems. The RNIB Web Access Centre site has been developed as a free online resource centre for designers and managers.
http://www.rnib.org.uk/xpedio/groups/public/documents/code/public_rnib008789.hcsp
Royal National Institute for Deaf People: Supports accessible information provision, including web content.
http://www.rnid.org.uk
TechDis: TechDis aims to be the leading educational advisory service, working across the UK , in the fields of accessibility and inclusion.
http://www.techdis.ac.uk/index.php?p=1
- Additional information :
The British Standards Institution (BSI) announcement of a new British Standard to address the need for inclusive design:
http://www.bsi-global.com/Quality_management/InclusiveDesign.xalter
Digital Media Access Group: http://www.dmag.org.uk/resources/legal/ddacode.asp
Guidance notes from the Disability Rights Commission regarding The Disability Discrimination Act 1995 and the Disability Rights Commission Act, 1999 (http://www.drc.org.uk/thelaw/lawsays.asp).
Implementing Electronic Government (IEG) 3 template statement released in 2003, the Deputy Prime Minister's Office set WCAG AA conformance as a minimum requirement for local authority web sites. AA recommendation is still present in IEG 4 released in draft in July 2004 (http://www.fourquarters.biz/FQarticle1.php and http://www.local-egov.gov.uk/Nimoi/sites/ODMP/resources/IEG3%20final%20guidance.doc).
Institutional Websites and Legislation, by Martin Sloan (published 13/03/02) http://www.techdis.ac.uk/index.php?p=6_4_1_1
JISC Senior Management Briefing Paper 15, Disability, Technology and Legislation: New Pressures and New Opportunities for Further and Higher Education Institutions and Staff
http://www.jisc.ac.uk/index.cfm?name=pub_smbp_disability
Outlaw.com: IT and e-commerce Legal News: http://www.out-law.com/php/news.php
Outlaw keeps a very useful watching brief on issues relating to web accessibility and the law.
Sloan, M. (2001). Web Accessibility and the DDA. Journal of Internet Law and Technology 2001:2
http:www2.warwick.ac.uk/fac/soc/law/elj/jilt/2001_2/sloan/
Sloan, M. (2001). Digital discrimination. Humanity (http://www.humanity.org.uk/articles/pub_discrimination_full.shtml).
TechDis Web Development and Accessibility
These resources will be integrated more fully where appropriate (http://www.techdis.ac.uk/index.php?p=6_4_2).
TechDis Advice and Recommendations for Staff Involved in Web Development or Web Management.
http://www.techdis.ac.uk/index.php?p=6_4_20041409040949_20041409050901
UK Cabinet Office, e-Government Guidelines for UK government websites
http://www.cabinetoffice.gov.uk/e-government/resources/handbook/introduction.asp
Note: these guidelines require WCAG Single A conformance as a minimum acceptable level of conformance.
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Last revised: 11 April 2005 by Pierre GUILLOU
Comments welcome at pierre.guillou@snv.jussieu.fr
Participants in the subtask DWAB 2.8:
Finn ASLAKSEN (finn.aslaksen@vistautredning.no), Jenny CRAVEN (j.craven@mmu.ac.uk), Martin KOSTERMAN (m.kosterman@bartimeus.nl), Sylvie DUCHATEAU (sylvie.duchateau@snv.jussieu.fr), Pierre GUILLOU (chair, pierre.guillou@snv.jussieu.fr) Dominique BURGER (dominique.burger@snv.jussieu.fr), Jan ENGELEN (jan.engelen@esat.kuleuven.ac.be), Patrizia BERTINI (patrizia@patriziabertini.it), Perter BROPHY (p.brophy@mmu.ac.uk)
