More Than 50% of MP\'s Websites Fail to Offer Constituents Basic Levels of Accessibility

    /24-7PressRelease.com/ - March 18, 2005 - A study of the personal websites of British Members of Parliament by internet consultants net-progress has revealed that only 45% offered basic levels of accessibility for all users. Whilst this is a higher proportion than found in many other sectors, for a group of people committed to meeting the needs of their constituents - and in an election year - this performance is nonetheless disappointing. Further, it could be argued that 55% of MPs have not taken "reasonable steps" as required by the Disability Discrimination Act 1999. Indeed, Peter Bottomley MP concedes "many of us need to try harder"; Julie Howell, Digital Policy Development Manager at the Royal National Institute of the Blind (RNIB) agrees that "some MPs are missing a trick here".

Much has been written about the internet being used by politicians during the American presidential campaign last year, and the profound influence they can have on the electorate. Many experts are predicting that the internet will be similarly important in the forthcoming election on this side of the Atlantic. And a website can provide an easy and convenient medium for people to keep up to date on local issues that are important to them.

Visually impaired computer users typically employ screen reader software to read out the content to them. One website examined proved to be completely incompatible with this software. Another played looped music. Ironically, whilst this site could otherwise have been used with screen reader software, the music couldn't be turned off, making the content inaudible. Other problems present on a large number of sites included the use of fixed font sizes and missing alt tags (text descriptions of image content) on images. These issues can have a significant impact on usability.

One other notable point is that a number of sites examined had clearly been created to be accessible, and made claims to that effect. However, the study showed that some of these sites did not offer the claimed level of accessibility.

Creating a website with good levels of accessibility is one thing, but maintaining those standards quite another. It seems clear that a number of the websites were built by designers with a good understanding of the issues, but that they were unable to impart this knowledge to those responsible for their upkeep.

The response has been encouraging. Since writing to inform MP's of this research, a number have begun to look at improving accessibility on their own websites. Lynne Jones was one such MP, who said, "having been made aware of the issues, we're now taking positive actions to improve accessibility".

In April 2004, the Disability Rights Commission published a report that revealed the extent of the problem: 81% of UK web sites fail to meet even the most basic requirements for accessibility.

In January 2005, Tom Brake MP tabled an Early Day Motion (EDM) in the House of Commons calling for greater levels of accessibility for all when it comes to the Internet. There are more than nine million disabled people in the UK. At least two million people experience serious sight problems. Increasing numbers of disabled people use the Internet for information, shopping, study, work and entertainment. However, disabled people find that many web sites are extremely difficult to use because of the way they have been designed.

net-progress and the RNIB have lent their support to the EDM. Both organisations are asking MPs to sign the early day motion - and consider the accessibility of their own sites.

Julie Howell of the RNIB concludes "an accessible website is one of the easiest ways for MPs to communicate with disabled people, particularly blind and partially sighted constituents who are using the web in increasing numbers. It is very easy to design websites using accessibility standards and could save MPs a great deal of time when dealing with enquiries. RNIB hopes that more MPs will make sure their sites are accessible by the time the General Election is announced."

net-progress is an internet consultancy using a holistic approach to add value to a company's online presence. net-progress specialises in accessibility, quality, presence visitor data analysis and reputation management in order to deliver measurable improvements to a business.

net-progress has been working in the field of web analytics since 1997, with clients ranging from FTSE 100 companies to SMEs.

net-progress designed, built and maintains http://www.net-guide.co.uk, an accessibility focused search engine and directory, which was short-listed for The National Library of the Blind's Visionary Design Award 2004 and has received RNIB accreditation.

In addition to the core web analytics business, net-progress produces regular surveys on various aspects of online performance in a variety of sectors, as well as accepting commissions from trade and consumer publications.

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