Re: Legal requirements RE: statistics

I think the main reason that there is no evidence of this amongst 
British e-commerce is a lack of awareness/knowledge. So yes, in part 
you could argue that this is due to a lack of proper consultation and 
advertising by the government. but given that they themselves have only 
recently become aware of the issue, this is hardly unsuprising.

However, there is some hope. Following the RNIB's involvement with 
Tesco, the Royal Mail and Standard Life (an insurance company) have 
introduced apparently accessibile sites. Presumably their attitude has 
come about in part by encouragement from organisations such as the 
RNIB, awareness of a possible legal argument and a hope of positive 
publicity. I'm sure the perceived increase in potential business is but 
a small part.

History has shown that most people will avoid doing something until 
they have to. More often than not when forced by law. Even then, that 
doesn't guarantee change. But I would still argue that it makes sense 
to pre-empt such changes, rather than ignore them.

----- Original Message -----
from: David Woolley <david@djwhome.demon.co.uk>
date: Wednesday, January 16, 2002 6:48 am
subject: Re: Legal requirements RE: statistics

> > As such, by looking ahead, it is possible to avoid potential 
> future legal 
> > action by introducing accessibility now. In much the same way as 
> it is 
> 
> I see no sign of British e-commerce doing this (and British e-commerce
> sites tend to be particularly bad).  I suggest that this means 
> that there
> has been inadequate consultation with the people who will be most 
> affected.
>

Received on Wednesday, 16 January 2002 10:24:33 UTC