It would appear that the Disability Rights Commission might be taking its first small steps towards introducing definitive guidelines in regards to web accessibility.

Here is my controversial point for the day. A point I am not sure if I agree with or not: It is impossible to conform to anything but the most basic level of accessibility if you are using tables to control layout.

There is a growing rift between web designers over the issue of accessibility. Three camps exist, those who believe accessibility is about disability, those who believe it is broader than that and those who really do not care either way. As normal, my position is a foot in two camps.

Yesterday I read an excellent blog entry on the subject of accessibility. Although much of it is not appropriate for this blog I thought I would share with you one of two extracts that underline by approach to accessibility.

Life continues to be maniacally busy with a trip to the states and more work than you can shake a stick at (what a ridiculous phrase). However probably the biggest project for me of late has been the launch of a report into accessibility in Higher Education.

I often talk about the fact that we have a legal obligation to make our web sites accessibility. I also promote the financial benefits of making your web site accessible to all. But I have come to believe we also have a morale obligation to improve access to our sites.

A lawyer’s letter has taken an accessible website offline and the BBC technology analyst Bill Thompson is not impressed.

Ask anyone who knows me and you will quickly learn I know nothing about football. However recently I have found myself surfing around the Manchester United Football site because it is at the center of an argument about accessibility.

Headscape have just launched a new web site for HACT. Hact is a development agency that acts as a catalyst for change in the housing sector. But what is significant about the HACT web site is that it is WAI Priority three compliant. In English that means it meets the highest standards in accessibility.

Why is it important for a business to make its website accessible and how to go about achieving it.

If you work for any kind of public sector organisation and are responsible for their web presence you will be all too aware of the term “accessibility”.