Accessibility Statement

Accessibility is not unique to Web sites, in fact in most Web sites it is conspicuously absent. Now there is an added incentive for any company that has a Website to think a bit more carefully about who is and who isn't able to access their information. The Disability Discrimination Act, which has been in force since 1999, makes specific reference to Web sites and their accessibility, it's a 175 page document but the parts that specifically refer to Web sites are:

  • 2.2 (p7): "The Disability Discrimination Act makes it unlawful for a service provider to discriminate against a disabled person by refusing to provide any service which it provides to members of the public."
  • 2.13 - 2.17 (p11-13): "What services are affected by the Disability Discrimination Act? An airline company provides a flight reservation and booking service to the public on its website. This is a provision of a service and is subject to the act."
  • 4.7 (p39): "From 1st October 1999 a service provider has to take reasonable steps to change a practice which makes it unreasonably difficult for disabled people to make use of its services."
  • 5.23 (p71): "For people with visual impairments, the range of auxiliary aids or services which it might be reasonable to provide to ensure that services are accessible might include ... accessible websites."
  • 5.26 (p68): "For people with hearing disabilities, the range of auxiliary aids or services which it might be reasonable to provide to ensure that services are accessible might include ... accessible websites."

So now there is not only a moral imperative to do something about it, the law is on the case too.

Download the code of practice

Sardine Media are, like many business now, trying to be pro active about this and as such we are endeavoring to make as many or our services fall in line with both legislation and best practice. We recognise it's a learning process for everyone, we are learning too, so if you find that part of our Website doesn't come up to scratch then please let us know and we will do our best to sort it out.

It goes without saying that every Web site that we produce from now on is created with accessibility in mind. This is good for everyone, not just disabled people, because being more accessible means it's available to other non PC based browsers and scores better in search engines too. For more information on this subject please review the links on the right hand side of the page (or if you are using a screen reader, the links that follow this sentence!)