SAIF: Making Websites Accessible
Industry guidelines
World Wide Web Consortium
Guidelines for accessible websites are produced by the World Wide Web Consortium (W3C). Their Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) provide an excellent resource for anyone building an accessible website and using related technology. We recommned them as the 'official' resource for those engaged in the technical aspects of building websites.
PAS-78
Another document worth referring to is the PAS-78 (Publicly Available Specification) produced by The British Standards Institute (BSI). This document provides a set of recommendations, with common sense advice to people in charge of commissioning websites.
However, not only should websites be accessible to end users, but the way they are updated should also be accessible. In addition to the WCAG it is also good practice to be familiar with the Authoring Tools Accessibility Guidelines, more information on which can be found at section 6.4.3 of the PAS-78.
BS 8878 Web Accessibility - Code of Practice
In December 2010 BSI launched the first British Standard to address web accessibility and the challenge of ditial inclusion.
The standard has been designed to introduce non-technical professionals to improved accessibility, usability and user experience for disabled and older people. It will be especially beneficial to anyone new to this subject as it gives guidance on process, rather than on technical and design issues. BS 8878 is consistent with the Equality Act 2010 and is referenced in the UK government's e-Accessibility Action Plan as the basis of updated advice on developing accessible online services. It includes recommendations for:
- involving disabled people in the development process and using automated tools to assist with accessibility testing
- managing the guidance and the process for upholding existing accessibility guidelines and specifications.
More information on PAS-78 and BS 8878 can be found the Equality and Human Rights Commission.