Nomensa publishes global audit with United Nations : Nomensa

First ever global accessibility survey reveals only 3% of websites tested reach minimum levels

UK-based web accessibility agency Nomensa released the results of the first ever global website accessibility survey today. The report, which was commissioned by the United Nations (UN), reveals that 97% of websites tested fail to achieve the minimum web accessibility level.

This is the first ever global survey to measure the extent to which people living with disabilities are able to benefit from technological developments online

says Simon Norris, managing director of Nomensa.

With online information linking people increasingly together, it is vital that sections of the global population are not alienated and left out as innovation continues apace.

Using a combination of manual and automated testing against the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG), Nomensa examined the leading website in five different sectors in 20 countries, including its Head of State and leading airline, bank, newspaper and retailer. In all, the survey comprehensively tested 100 websites based on generally agreed upon international standards.

Performance across the different sectors was varied, with central government, retail and banking offering the strongest accessibility performances across all countries

adds Norris.

While only three websites made it onto the first rung of the accessibility ladder, many websites were in grasping distance of achieving minimum levels of accessibility

The three websites achieving the minimum standards were the German Chancellor’s website, the Spanish Government website, and the British Prime Minister’s website.

Key shortfalls identified in the report were:

93% did not provide adequate text descriptions for graphical content, causing problems for visually impaired people;
73% relied on JavaScript for important functionality, making it impossible for an estimated 10% of Internet users using the Internet to access key information;
78% used foreground and background colour combinations with poor contrast, making it difficult for people with mild visual conditions, such as colour blindness, to read information;
98% did not follow industry web standards for the programming code, providing poor foundations for web accessibility;
97% used fixed units of measurement, preventing people from altering the size of text or comfortably resizing the page so that content can be easily scaled;
89% failed to use the correct technique for conveying document structure through the use of headings, making page navigation awkward for many visually impaired people;
87% caused pop-up windows to appear without warning the user, causing disorientation problems for people using screen magnification software.

The results from the survey are consistent and identify many common themes that cross borders and cultures – many of which must be addressed.

says Léonie Watson, Nomensa's head of accessibility.

The 20 countries audited in the Nomensa-led United Nations survey were: Argentina, Australia, Brazil, Canada, Chile, China, France, Germany, India, Japan, Kenya, Mexico, Morocco, Russia, Singapore, South Africa, Spain, United Arab Emirates, United Kingdom and United States of America.

For more information or to request a copy of the Executive Summary visit http://www.nomensa.com/resources/research/united-nations-global-audit-of-accessibility.html

About the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines

List of Checkpoints for Web Content Accessibility Guidelines 1.0

Priority 1: A website content developer must satisfy this checkpoint. Otherwise, one or more groups will find it impossible to access information in the document. Satisfying this checkpoint is a basic requirement for some groups to be able to use website documents.

Priority 2: A website content developer should satisfy this checkpoint. Otherwise, one or more groups will find it difficult to access information in the document. Satisfying this checkpoint will remove significant barriers to accessing website documents.

Priority 3: A website content developer may address this checkpoint. Otherwise, one or more groups will find it somewhat difficult to access information in the document. Satisfying this checkpoint will improve access to website documents.

Conformance: This section defines three levels of conformance to this document.

Conformance Level "Single-A": all Priority 1 checkpoints are satisfied;
Conformance Level "Double-A": all Priority 1 and 2 checkpoints are satisfied;
Conformance Level "Triple-A": all Priority 1, 2, and 3 checkpoints are satisfied.

http://www.w3.org/TR/WCAG10/#priorities

Notes to Editors

About Nomensa

Established in 2001, Nomensa is the digital agency specialising in perfecting online user experience. It combines usability, accessibility and strong website 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 currently works with a variety of public and private sector clients.

For further information, please contact:

Caroline Risk

Marketing Executive

cr@nomensa.com

Tel: 0117 929 7333