Networx Accessibility services and help

How you can meet the demands of Accessibility

Networx 3 key accessibility services combine to provide website owners with a complete solution to gaining accessibility approval and serving disabled customers.

1. Networx Free 'Keypoint Website Accessibility Check' offer

For a limited period Networx are offering our 'KeyPoint Website Accessibility Check' to selected customers at no charge. The KeyPoint check covers 10 critical points of accessibility that we have identified from the most up-to-date disability directives. The report provides a substantive indication of how your website performs for disabled users and therefore its compliance with the act's requirements.

2. Website audit - in depth accessibility analysis and solutions

For customers who are committed to providing access to disabled customers we offer a complete website audit service. This website evaluation is an in-depth examination of the challenges to be overcome to make your website accessible and proposes solutions to identified accessibility issues.

3. Website redevelopment to accessibility requirements

Networx will redevelop your website to deliver compliance with the DDA and to ensure it is readily accessible to all. Our development process includes:

User testing from the outset of development to deliver the best and most cost effective results
Technical architecture which is compliant to the W3C guidelines
Integration with existing technical and CRM requirements
Working with your existing developers or designers if required

How is accessibility assessed?

The most commonly accepted industry standard for accessibility has been developed by the World Wide Web Consortium (W3C) in their web content accessibility guidelines, known as the Web Accessibility Initiative. The WAI are currently being revised.

The guidelines consist of a series of tests or checkpoints, ranked in three levels, Priority 1 Guidelines (Level A ) Priority 2 Guidelines (Level AA) and the most stringent, AAA. Currently, it is generally regarded that UK
disability law makes conforming to level A compulsory to avoid legal action. Level AA is the UK government EU recommended standard.

The research carried out by the DRC shows there is a long way to go, before even the basic Priority 1 Guidelines are achieved. They found that only 19% of home pages passed on level A checks, and when it came to AA compliance, supposedly the government's preferred standard, only 2 out of the 1000 tested, passed.

The research also threw up some serious questions about the WAI guidelines themselves. Only 55% of usability problems were covered by the WAI checkpoints, a worrying gap between the problems experienced by the real world user, and those included within the accepted WAI guidelines.

Massie chairman of the Disability Rights Commission makes the point. "It is clear that compliance with the technical guidelines and the use of automated tests are only the first steps towards accessibility. There can be no substitute for involving disabled people themselves in design and testing."

Key Problems experienced by web users with disabilities
Blind users	Incorrect or non-existent labelling of links; cluttered and complex page structures; ALT tags on images non-existent or unhelpful; navigation mechanisms confusing and disorientating.
Partially sighted users	Inappropriate use of colours and poor contrasts between content and background; graphics and text size too small.
Physically impaired users	Unclear and confusing layout of pages
Hearing impaired users	Lack of alternative media for audio-based information.
Dyslexic users	Complicated language or terminology.

Source: Disability Rights Commission http://www.drc.org.uk/open4all/law/code.asp

Websites related to accessibility issues

Disability Rights Commission www.drc-gb.org
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.

The British Dyslexia Association www.bda-dyslexia.org.uk
The BDA is the voice of dyslexic people. Their vision is that of a dyslexia friendly society that enables dyslexic people to reach their potential.

RNIB - Royal National Institute for the Blind www.rnib.co.uk
The UK's leading charity offering information, support and advice to over two million people with sight problems. Their pioneering work helps anyone with a sight problem - not just with braille, Talking Books and computer training, but with imaginative and practical solutions to everyday challenges.

Section 508: The Road to Accessibility www.section508.gov US
Section 508 requires that Federal agencies' electronic and information technology is accessible to people with disabilities.
Web Accessibility Initiative (WAI)

www.w3.org/WAI
WAI, in coordination with organizations around the world, pursues accessibility of the Web through five primary areas of work: technology, guidelines, tools, education and outreach, and research and development.

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