Nomensa assess the accessibility of FTSE Company websites.
Most FTSE 100 corporate websites fail to meet the most basic website
accessibility guidelines, according to new research conducted by
Nomensa, the digital design company specialising in human centred
design. In fact, only 21% of FTSE 100 companies provided Alternative
Text, which enables people with sensory disabilities to read images
online even if they cannot see or hear. This is the most basic
requirement for website accessibility, as set out by the International
Web Standards body, the World Wide Web Consortium (W3C).
According to the latest research from the national disability organisation Scope, disabled people account for almost 20 per cent of the working age population. However, almost half of all disabled people of working age don't have a job. As a result their ability to look for employment opportunities on corporate web sites is being dramatically restricted. According to Nomensa's research, 8 out of 10 corporate websites (79%) fail to meet the most basic web accessibility standards. Therefore, job seekers who have disabilities including visual impairment, hearing difficulties and restricted movement are unable to view or access employment opportunities.
The 1995 Disability Discrimination Act (DDA) requires all organisations to make reasonable adjustments to ensure services are accessible to everyone. In 2002 the Disability Rights Commission confirmed that this applied equally to online services.
Simon Norris, managing director of Nomensa, commented:
On a more positive note, of those businesses that have embraced web site accessibility, the financial services sector is leading the way. Although no corporate website scored top marks, those achieving the highest levels of accessibility included Barclays, Exel Group, HSBC PLC, Lloyds TSB PLC and Reed Elsevier. Bringing an existing website inline with current accessibility legislation can be expensive, but if business tackle accessibility in the early stages of design and planning, it's easy and cost effective to achieve.
Nomensa tested the website homepages of the FTSE top 100 companies to see how they fared to current legislation. The key findings from the investigation into the accessibility of corporate websites revealed that:
- 79% of the 100 sites tested failed to achieve even the most basic of guidelines set out by the international web standards body the World Wide Web Consortium (W3C);
- 78% of corporate web sites did not allow the text to scale in common browsers;
- Only one corporate home page used valid HTML coding;
- No web sites had implemented access keys - helping people who cannot use a mouse to move around the site;
- 5% of web sites were completely inaccessible and impossible to access using a screen reader.
For further information, please contact Caroline Risk on info@nomensa.com or telephone 0117 929 7333.
About Nomensa
Established in 2001, Nomensa is the digital agency which specialises in perfecting online user experience. It combines usability, accessibility and strong web development skills to help public and private sector clients develop online strategies, be more inclusive and accountable.
Nomensa has a research based methodology that put people at the centre of its activities. Everything it does focuses on understanding the experience people have when using technology.
Nomensa works with FTSE 250 companies, Central Government Departments, Local Authorities and Councils, and leading Universities, as well as several other organisations in the finance, IT and charity sectors.
