8 December 2006

The Disability Rights Council (DRC) has urged the government to improve levels of online accessibility.

Following a new clause which came into effect on December 4th 2006, all public bodies must ensure that they are meeting accessibility standards, the body has warned.

The Disability Equality Duty (DED) requires all bodies to create a disability equality scheme - which could result in a court summons if organisations fail to comply.

"The DED is meant to ensure that all public bodies - such as central or local government, schools, health trusts or emergency services - pay due regard to the promotion of equality for disabled people in every area of their work," the body said.

According to the DRC, 45,000 public bodies in the UK will be affected by the new regulations, including local government, emergency services, schools and health trusts.

© Adfero Ltd

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