PAS 78, Guide to good practice in commissioning accessible websites, has been such a great success that it is now being turned into a British Standard. A technical committee has recently been established to start work on the new Standard.
The new Standard will take into account developments in technology and web use since the publication of PAS 78 Guide to good practice in commissioning accessible websites in March 2006. Considerations include an increase in user generated content and social networking and the accessibility of tools used by web designers. The Standard will enable all types of organizations and individuals to commission and maintain websites which are accessible to all their potential audiences.
Chair of IST/45 Web Accessibility, Julie Howell, welcomes this new Standard and sees a clear need to address inequality in accessing the web, she said, “Inaccessible websites cause disabled people unnecessary problems. I am honoured to chair the technical committee that will oversee this work. Inventor of the worldwide web, Professor Sir Tim-Berners Lee, declared that access by disabled people is ‘essential’. I am convinced this work will bring us another huge leap closer to realising this vision.”
The benefits of using the new standard, which is expected to be published in Spring 2009, include improved interoperability of web content ensuring compatibility with different devices, such as mobile phones. In addition, businesses which take up the new standard stand to tap into the spending power of disabled people which is estimated at £80bn per annum.
It is expected that the new standard will become part of a wider series of standards as the new committee, IST 45/ Web Accessibility develops further standards and guidance material in this area.
