UK firms 'could be affected by US accessibility case'

10/09/2008

British businesses may need to do more to integrate accessibility into their website design following the settlement of a case in the US, according to experts.

Target, a popular American retailer, was accused of failing to provide for disabled web users by developing a site that could not be accessed by screen-reading software.

The company must now make the relevant changes to its website and pay compensation to the affected parties.

While it is unlikely a similar class action could be brought in the UK, British businesses should still be aware of the implications of failing to follow regulations contained in the 1995 Disability Discrimination Act, Eversheds partner Owen Warnock said to the Telegraph.

He remarked: "In the UK, if the website provides goods and services there are obligations to make reasonable adjustments, which would include making it accessible to screen readers."

A growing number of UK organisations are waking up to the important of usability and accessibility in web design, according to a recent study by E-consultancy.