DDA
(pt.3)
Consultancy
Since the introduction of the Disability Discrimination Act, the number of websites that fail to meet the minimum legal requirements
is staggering. In 2004, the Disability Rights Commission (now part of the
EHRC
) published the findings of a formal investigation into the accessibility of websites. This investigation found that
a massive 81% of websites failed the most basic of requirements under the DDA making them accessible to a maximum of only 19% of the
population.
Background
In Great Britain, part 3 of the DDA requires providers of goods, facilities and services ...to avoid the less favourable treatment
of disabled people
. They are also required to
"...make resonable adjustments, including the provision of auxiliary aids and services, to any practices, policies or procedures
which make it unreasonably difficult for disabled people to make use of the services they provide. Insofar as a website in
itself constitutes a service, or is the primary medium for the delivery of a service, it will therefore be covered by Part 3
of the Act."
Disability Rights Commission, 2004
Why is this important?
If an individual feels that you are discriminating against them by not meeting your obligations under the DDA, they can either:
-
Approach you directly requesting that you make reasonable adjustment to your offered goods, facilities or services
-
Approach the EHRC and request adjudication
-
Seek legal action againt you on the grounds of discrimination contrary to the DDA 2005 pt.3
If someone does seek legal action, the courts commonly impose both a fine (in the £1000s but potentially unlimited) and an injunction for you to
make reasonable adjustments.
How can MRT502 Solutions Limited Help YOU?
Our DDA specialist has been working in the area of disability and disability awareness for 20 years both freelance and as
part of a regional charity promoting awareness of disability and disability issues. For the last 5 years he has been focusing
heavily on DDA pt.3 and its impact on website and software design. Since 2006, he has been ask to lecture at
School of Electronics & Computer Science
at the
University of Southampton
every year to help educate tomorrow's software developers and website designers on their responsibilities in an
inclusive society.
What can I do to get more information?
If you would like to discuss your obligations under DDA pt.3 with our specialist consultant, please send an email to
dda@mrt502.co.uk
detailing your query/requirements and the best time and method for our consultant to get back to you.
For more generic information, please feel free to use the links below.
Further Information
Please note that new legislation concerning all form of discrimination, including but not limited to disability discrimination,
come into force on 1st October 2010.
