More than 50% of MP’s websites fail
to offer constituents basic levels of accessibility |
| A study of the personal websites of British Members
of Parliament by internet consultants net-progress has revealed
that only 45% offered basic levels of accessibility for all
users. Whilst this is a higher proportion than found in many
other sectors, for a group of people committed to meeting the
needs of their constituents – and in an election year
– this performance is nonetheless disappointing. Further,
it could be argued that 55% of MPs have not taken “reasonable
steps” as required by the Disability Discrimination Act
1999. Indeed, Peter Bottomley MP concedes “many
of us need to try harder”; Julie Howell,
Digital Policy Development Manager at the Royal National Institute
of the Blind (RNIB) agrees that “some MPs are missing
a trick here”. |
| Much has been written about the internet being
used by politicians during the American presidential campaign
last year, and the profound influence they can have on the electorate.
Many experts are predicting that the internet will be similarly
important in the forthcoming election on this side of the Atlantic.
And a website can provide an easy and convenient medium for
people to keep up to date on local issues that are important
to them. |
| Visually impaired computer users typically employ
screen reader software to read out the content to them. One
website examined proved to be completely incompatible with this
software. Another played looped music. Ironically, whilst this
site could otherwise have been used with screen reader software,
the music couldn’t be turned off, making the content inaudible.
Other problems present on a large number of sites included the
use of fixed font sizes and missing alt tags (text descriptions
of image content) on images. These issues can have a significant
impact on usability. |
| One other notable point is that a number of sites
examined had clearly been created to be accessible, and made
claims to that effect. However, the study showed that some of
these sites did not offer the claimed level of accessibility.
|
| Creating a website with good levels of accessibility
is one thing, but maintaining those standards quite another.
It seems clear that a number of the websites were built by designers
with a good understanding of the issues, but that they were
unable to impart this knowledge to those responsible for their
upkeep. |
| The response has been encouraging. Since writing
to inform MP’s of this research, a number have begun to
look at improving accessibility on their own websites. Lynne
Jones was one such MP, who said, "having been
made aware of the issues, we're now taking positive actions
to improve accessibility". |
| In April 2004, the Disability Rights Commission
published a report that revealed the extent of the problem:
81% of UK web sites fail to meet even the most basic requirements
for accessibility. |
| In January 2005, Tom Brake MP
tabled an Early Day Motion (EDM) in the House of Commons calling
for greater levels of accessibility for all when it comes to
the Internet. There are more than nine million disabled people
in the UK. At least two million people experience serious sight
problems. Increasing numbers of disabled people use the Internet
for information, shopping, study, work and entertainment. However,
disabled people find that many web sites are extremely difficult
to use because of the way they have been designed. |
| net-progress and the RNIB have lent their support
to the EDM. Both organisations are asking MPs to sign the early
day motion – and consider the accessibility of their own
sites. |
| Julie Howell of the RNIB concludes “an accessible
website is one of the easiest ways for MPs to communicate with
disabled people, particularly blind and partially sighted constituents
who are using the web in increasing numbers. It is very easy
to design websites using accessibility standards and could save
MPs a great deal of time when dealing with enquiries. RNIB hopes
that more MPs will make sure their sites are accessible by the
time the General Election is announced.' |
What other MPs said |
| "Web-sites are a fantastic way of providing
news and views to our constituents 24 hours a day, 7 days a
week. It is a missed opportunity for us if we do not make them
as accessible as possible." |
- Tom Brake MP |
| “As technology forges ahead, we have to
make sure that the less fortunate in our community do not lose
out. |
| We need a serious study of how best to offer website
accessibility for visually impaired people”. |
- Doug Henderson MP |
| "MPs sites are a public service and I take
the view that the House authorities should help to educate Members
about technologies that are beneficial to disabled people and
provide them for Members' use." |
- Andrew Miller MP |
| "Owners of web sites must make sure that
they specify that content must always be accessible to people
with a visual impairment. Legibility is far more important than
gimmicks if you want people to keep on coming back after that
first visit. |
| I regard my web sites as an important means of
communicating with my electorate, and I cannot afford to make
it inaccessible to people with impaired vision." |
- Sue Doughty MP |
| "At the very least, websites should have
variable text size and the ability to permit electronic audio
reading of the text. The internet should not be barred from
use by those with visual impairment; it should be open to everyone."
|
- Michael Fabricant MP |
| |
About net-progress |
| net-progress has been working in the field of
web analytics since 1997, with clients ranging from FTSE100
companies to SMEs. |
| Net-progress run net-guide, an accessibility centric
search engine and directory, which has been short listed for
The National Library of the Blind’s Visionary Design Award. |
| net-progress produces regular surveys on various
aspects of online performance in a variety of sectors, as well
as accepting commissions from trade and consumer publications. |
Links [open in new window] |
| Royal
National Institute of the Blind |
| Early
Day Motions |
| |
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