Charity websites failing disabled users

Nine out of ten charity websites assessed by AbilityNet have failed to meet the minimum accessibility rating. Only Cancer Research UK scored three out of five stars, showing that basic access was possible.

Website shortcomings do not just affect disabled people, but also anyone using an older browser or a dial-up connection. When the Legal and General website was updated, for example, it reduced the time take to load the home page by 75 per cent.

The charity websites that scored two stars belonged to the National Trust and Age Concern Kingston.

The remaining sites only scored a single star: Oxfam, the British Heart Foundation, RNLI, Scotswood Natural Community Garden, The Cave Rescue Organisation and Follifoot Park Disabled Riding Group.

AbilityNet's selection of sites to test came from the five highest-earning charities and a random selection of local charities.

Legislation has been in place since 1999 to encourage good website design but AbilityNet has previously found problems with many company websites, including an investigation into telecoms companies.

The most common problems encountered are that the size or colour of text on the website cannot be changed. This can either be a result of fixed text formatting or when pictures have been used instead of text to create headings.

Ideally, pictures should have text associated with them to cater for users with screen readers, or with pictures turned off. However, this feature is often left out.

In addition, many website use small programs written with software called Javascript that may not work with older browsers or may be turned off altogether.

AbilityNet estimated that there are 2 million people with a visual impairment and 3.4 million people who cannot use an ordinary keyboard and mouse.

Related Stories:
AbilityNet report on online supermarkets in 2004
British Standards Institute release guidelines for accessible websites