Firms warned of accessibility legal threat

Businesses should be aware that they have a legal duty to ensure websites are accessible to those with disabilities, an expert has urged.

Julie Howell, director of accessibility at web design firm Fortune Cookie, explained that it is not just firms commissioning websites which have a legal obligation to ensure everyone can use their pages.

"Design agencies have a responsibility as well because within the Disability and Discrimination Act there is something regarding aiding and abetting discrimination," she explained.

However, firms must be aware that a number of organisations which pledge to make a website more accessible are just "cowboys" who will not deliver.

In fact, small businesses are particularly vulnerable to such agencies and can be left facing considerable legal risk because of their actions.

The World Wide Web Consortium explains that a main issue with creating accessible websites is making sure they are flexible enough to be useful to different users with varying needs.

It highlights that some users with disabilities use assistive software to aid their online navigation.