News
EC calls for greater website accessibility
Categories: Web Design
03 July 2008
More should be done to improve website accessibility for the 15 per cent of Europeans who have a disability, according to the European commission (EC).
Launching a consultation on how to enforce accessibility standards across the European Union (EU), the commission noted that most websites do not offer the best browsing experience for those who have trouble with elements such as small fonts.
The EC also highlighted the fact that an ageing population means web designers may have to do more to consider the needs of older people and pointed to possible solutions such as using larger fonts, utilising software that converts text to speech and making websites browsable with keyboards instead of a mouse.
"I call on the web publishing industry and public sector administrations to make a much more determined effort to ensure the web is accessible to everyone," Viviane Reding, EU commissioner for information society and media said.
"Those responsible should remember that in a few years' time they will probably find themselves amongst those having trouble to read the screen."
In the UK, the British Standards Institution has started work on a new web accessibility standard that can be followed by individuals and businesses.
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