Web Access Centre

Laws and standards

Summary: The case for accessibility covers business, ethical, and legal arguments.

The Web Accessibility Initiative
UK Law
The Disability Discrimination Act
Business benefits
The ethical case
Laws and standards

"The power of the Web is in its universality. Access by everyone regardless of disability is an essential aspect." Tim Berners-Lee, W3C Director¹

The Web Accessibility Initiative

The Web Accessibility Initiative (WAI) is affiliated with the World Wide Web Consortium (W3C) and works with organisations around the world to increase the accessibility of the web. The WAI are the internationally recognised definitive set of guidelines for accessible web design.

Find out more about the Web Accessibility Initiative.

UK Law

It has been a legal requirement for UK websites to be accessible since 1999. Since then all websites have been expected to make “reasonable adjustments” to ensure their websites accommodate all users regardless of ability, disability.

Find out more about UK law.

The Disability Discrimination Act

Excerpts from the Disability Discrimination Act 1995 and related guidelines relevant to the legal compliance of websites.

Read excerpts from the Disability Discrimination Act.

Business benefits

An accessible website can give you the widest possible market reach as well as save costs in development and maintenance.

Find out more about the business benefits of accessibility.

The ethical case

Imagine visiting your favourite shop. You find it open for business, but all the doors are locked. How would you feel unable to open those doors even though you know they are open to others? Frustrated, angry, excluded?

Find out more about the

Laws and standards

For Web Access Centre updates email webaccess@rnib.org.uk

Footnotes
1 Tim Berners-Lee, W3C Director and inventor of the World Wide Web.

Content author: webaccess@rnib.org.uk

Last updated: 18/12/2008 14:32

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