30 August 2006

The British Computer Society (BCS) is hoping to make its IT certification easier for disabled persons to achieve.

A new quality mark has been introduced for the society's flagship European computer driving licence (ECDL), which will test the accessibility levels of test providers.

The BCS will examine several criteria, including additional time allotted to complete the test, a readability score for test material and compatibility with screen readers.

Test providers will be given a score for the accessibility which they provide, which officials believe will be vital to disabled and visually impaired users.

Derek Mills, technical customer support officer in the BCS's ECDL business unit, remarked: "We believe that this quality mark is a unique innovation by an awarding body in the UK."

"Accessibility is moving in the right direction in the training area too, but the choice is still very limited for disabled learners," Mr Mills concluded.

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