MPs under Fire over Web Access: The Scotsman - March 2005 |
By Ben Pindar, Community Newswire
|
| Members of Parliament across the country have
today come under fire after a major online survey discovered
only 45% of the politicians’ personal websites offered
basic levels of accessibility for all users. |
| Internet consultants net-progress have today published
a new report which reveals more than half of all MPs are failing
to make their websites accessible to the visually impaired and
disabled. |
| And their findings have been largely condemned
by a number of charities with the Royal National Institute
for the Blind (RNIB) accusing MPs of “missing
a trick”. |
| The study was carried out to coincide with election
year following the highly-successful use of the internet during
the American presidential campaign. |
| It discovered that while MPs perform better than
most other sectors there performance was still classed as “disappointing”.
|
| Researchers also argued that 55% of MPs could
be deemed not to have taken “reasonable steps” as
required by the Disability Discrimination Act 1999. |
| After being shown the findings Peter Bottomley,
Conservative MP for Worthing West, agreed the figures were poor
and said: “Many of us need to try harder.” |
| A spokesperson for net-progress said: “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 descriptions
of image content on pictures. All these issues can have a significant
impact on usability.” |
| Researchers also discovered that in a large number
of cases the original site had been created to be accessible
but the standards had not been maintained. |
| A number of MPs have now been contacted about
the research and several have said they will now look at improving
accessibility on their own websites. |
| Lynne Jones, Labour MP for Birmingham
Selly Oak, said: “Having been made aware of the issues,
we are now taking positive actions to improve accessibility.” |
| In April 2004, the Disability Rights Commission
published a report that revealed 81% of UK web sites fail to
meet even the most basic requirements for accessibility. |
| Julie Howell, digital policy
development manager at the RNIB, said: “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. |
| “The RNIB hopes that more MPs will make
sure their sites are accessible by the time the General Election
is announced.” |
| |
Related links [open in a new window] |
| The
Scotsman |
| |
