[thelist] UK: Disability Discrimination and Web Site Design

[martin.p.burns at uk.pwcglobal.com]

Memo from Martin P Burns of PricewaterhouseCoopers

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Subject:  Re: [thelist] UK: Disability Discrimination and Web Site Design





>I also think this is an issue which we need to address.  I have recently
>started to redesign a government department
>web site, and I am keen for it to
>be fully accessible but visually appealing.

>My first design did not specify a font size, I wanted let the user define
>their own font size or have their default browser font size.  This was so
>that those who needed/required/wanted large font sizes were able to increase
>the size with no problems.

Theoretically, ems should be the way to do this. Shame it doesn't work.

>However, my boss does not like the default PC font size on most browsers, he
>thinks it is too big and insists that I make it smaller.

First time I've ever heard that complaint. Show it to him on a Mac...

>My reaction was to
>explain about accessibility, but he was insistant saying that if needed we
>can add pages to the site later for those who wanted more control
>themselves!!!! >:o(
2 issues here:
1) The point about accessiblity is that it gives control to the *user*, rather
than
   the designer. Web != Print
2) If you have a range of users adding content to a site later, then you *are*
in
   content management system territory. Content owners shouldn't get control
   over the presentation of their content (beyond micro-formatting - strong,
links,
   choice from a style palette), otherwise you will lose consistency of design
  (and therefore usability) across the site.

>I have spent lots of time looking at what is the best way to control font
>sizes, but still giving users some control.  NOT easy!!!
Have you seen Aardie's solution:
http://evolt.org/index.cfm?menu=8&cid=253

I've done a Perl/SSI version, which I will write up as soon as I have some time
at home (working away 5 days a week atm), running at
http://www.easyweb.co.uk/

>My head is realing with all the contradictory advice regarding font size and
>accessibility, and I am still non the wiser!:o(
Have you read the W3 WAI guidelines?
http://www.w3.org/WAI/

>I think it is important that these issues are dealt with as soon as possible
>because it could eventually affect all of us.  I have downloaded the
>Disability Discrimination Act, Code of Conduct and will read it as soon as I
>get a chance.  Like Richard I will report on anything I find out.

I went through it in the summer, together with the lawyers advising the
eCommerce
company I was working for, and their strong advice was that satisfying the
Priority 1 items on the WAI list would cover the strict legal risks. The
reputational
risks are a bit more woolly, though, and any web designer/developer working
on UK sites providing 'public services'(1) would be well advised to be preparing
a migration plan towards full accessibility. Note that this doesn't mean you
have to do it all tomorrow, or indeed in one go. Some areas will be easier to
introduce than others - it's a matter of timetabling.

Again, this is something I will write up for thesite as soon as I get time.
Cheers
Martin

(1) Illustrative but not exclusive list:
   Local councils
   Govt depts & agencies
   The emergency services
   Charities
   Voluntary organisations
   hotels
   restaurants
   pubs
   post offices
   banks
   building societies
   solicitors
   accountants
   telcos and broadcasting orgs
   public utilities (electricity, gas, water etc)
   national parks
   sports stadia
   leisure centres
   advice agencies
   theatres
   cinemas
   hairdressers
   shops
   market stalls
   petrol stations
   telesales businesses
   places of worship
   courts
   hospitals
   clinics
whether the organisation is a
   sole trader
   firm
   company
   organisation

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