Web accessibility audit UK | Web accessibility audit Wales
A web accessibility audit is an evaluation of your site's design, navigation and implementation. Broadly speaking, the accessibility audit will answer three key questions:
- Is your site visible to users of different browsers, different screen resolutions and different hardware configurations?
- Is your site accessible to disabled web users?
- How can your site be improved?
The Web Accessibility Initiative (WAI) is a set of standards by which web accessibility can be measured.
Does my website have to be accessible?
In the UK, website accessibility is a grey area - a definitive specification of accessibility requirements required by law have not yet been formalised. The Disability Discrimination Act 1995 (DDA) does not refer explicitly to website accessibility, but makes it illegal for anyone providing a service - in the public, private or voluntary sectors - to discrimate against people with disabilities. The Code of Practice: Rights of Access - Goods, Facilities, Services and Premises document published by the government's Disability Rights Commission to accompany the Act refers explicitly to websites as a service to the public which should be considered covered by the Act.
That didn't answer my question. Does my website have to be accessible?
No, but the RNIB advises that
A disabled person can make a claim against you if your website makes it impossible or unreasonably difficult to access information and services. If you have not made reasonable adjustments and cannot show that this failure is justified, then you may be liable under the Act, and may have to pay compensation and be ordered by a court to change your site.
There is no legal precedent in this country yet of a disabled web user bringing a web-related disability discrimination claim to court. However, similar acts in other countries have led to successful claims - most notably an Australian web user against the Syndey Olympics committee for not making an accessible website.
Therefore, as the RNIB's advice suggests, it is advisable that you show evidence that you have undertaken work to make your website more accessible to disabled web users.
Comprehensive accessibility auditing service
MB Web Design can provide a comprehensive web accessibility auditing service to ensure that your site is accessible. The audit costs just £395, and is carried out and delivered within 10 working days*. The audit includes:
- Run through of your site using a screen reader
- Identifies the current compliance to Web Accessibility standards
- A range of automated and manual tests
- Comprehensive list of accessibility issues, and the affected pages
- Comprehensive breakdown of work required to resolve accessibility issues and to fix faults.
- A no-obligation quote for MB Web Design to undertake this additional work**
* Limited to 40 web pages. Site exceeding this number are liable to take longer and may require an additional surcharge. A quote for this cost plus an estimate of the turnaround time will be offered when you make your enquiry.
** Limited time offer - if you contract MB Web Design to fix faults and resolve your accessibility issues within 5 working days of receipt of the accessibility audit report, you will qualify for a 30% discount on that quote.
Free accessibility auditing service
For smaller businesses with smaller websites, MB Web Design also offers a free accessibility service. This audit includes:
- A modest selection of automated and manual tests
- An overview of accessibility issues affecting your current website
- A no-obligation quote for MB Web Design to undertake this additional work*.
* Limited time offer - if you contract MB Web Design to undertake this work within 5 working days of receipt of your free accessibility audit report, you will qualify for a 5% discount on that quote.