# Disability Rights Commission starts investigating Web site accessibility

- Link: https://fundraising.co.uk/2003/04/13/disability-rights-commission-starts-investigating-web-site-accessibility/
- Published: 2003-04-13T23:00:00+01:00
- Author: Howard Lake

The first formal investigation into the accessibility of popular Web sites gets 
underway today.
One thousand Web sites will be investigated for their ability to
be accessed by the 8.5 million disabled people in the UK in the first Formal Investigation
of the Disability Rights Commission (DRC).

A key aim of the investigation will be to identify recurrent barriers to Web access
and to help site owners and developers recognise and avoid them.

The first sites selected will cover the public and private sectors, but no mention
was made of voluntary sector sites. The sites will be tested for basic compliance
with recognised industry accessibility standards. In addition, 50 disabled people
will be involved in in-depth testing of a representative sample of these sites for
practical usability.

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The research supporting this Formal Investigation will be conducted in collaboration
with a team from the Centre for Human Computer Interaction Design at City University
London, led by Professor Helen Petrie.

Speaking today on the announcement of the Formal Investigation Bert Massie, Chairman
of the DRC, said:

“Organisations which offer goods and services on the Web already have a legal duty
to make their sites accessible. The DRC is committed to enforcing these obligations
but it is also determined to help site owners and developers tackle the barriers
to inclusive web design.”

The findings of the investigation are expected by the end of 2003.

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