IfG.CC -
Institute for eGovernment

Nomensa,the Bristol-based Usability and Accessibility consultancy, today publishes its Web Accessibility in Central Government report that assesses 28 central government websites against accessibility guidelines. The report shows that 78% of central government websites are achieving UK accessibility targets but only 57% meet the ‘single A’ minimum standard defined by the Cabinet Office e-Government Unit. Accessibility is evidently an important aspect of web strategy for UK central government. However, with such minimal results in the ‘double A’ and ‘triple A’ standings, Nomensa believes there’s significant scope for improvement. In some cases, accessibility has not been given due recognition, putting fundamental barriers in the way of many people accessing government services online.

The Cabinet Office Autumn Performance Report published in December details that 96% of government services will be available electronically by the end of 2005, with 75% of these services currently available.

Public sector departments that have placed accessibility at the forefront of their e-enabled services, are not only fulfilling a legal and moral obligation, but will also show great success in the take up of their online services.

Key findings of the report were:

• 21% of sites fell below the basic accessibility rating of ‘single A’ - the minimum guideline standard for accessibility.
• 57% achieved only a ‘single A’ rating, 7% of sites achieved a ‘double A’ rating and 14% of sites achieved a ‘triple A’ rating.

Leonie Watson, Nomensa’s head of accessibility comments: “For all the public sector’s effort to make its online services accessible; there’s still a great deal to do. At a time when government expects all public sector websites to meet specific accessibility levels, it’s vital to recognise what constitutes an accessible website and fully understand the degree to which online accessibility is already being achieved.”

Quelle: e-consultancy, 17.01.2005