31 October 2006

An expert at the Disability Rights Commission (DRC) has predicted that a high-street retailer could soon face litigation over web accessibility.

Stephen Beesley, software development manager at the DRC, has warned that some organisations could soon face action over non-compliance with website accessibility standards set out in the Disability Discrimination Act (DDA).

Mr Beesley told ZDNet that while the understanding and awareness of the issue has increased in recent times, this is "not necessarily translating into good practice".

"I'd imagine an initial conviction against a high-street name would be the most likely thing and it will shake things up a lot," he remarked.

"Like many things, people think it doesn't affect them per se, or that litigation will [never] happen to them."

The DDA states that any provider is contravening the law by not making its service available to all members of the public - which can have implications for organisations which do not offer accessibility features online.

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