8 September 2006

A US court has ruled that a retailer is breaking the law by not making its website accessible to the blind.

The case was brought by the National Federation of the Blind (NFB) against Target, on the grounds that its website lacked accessibility functions.

This was upheld by the court, in accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, as the website was found to have sufficient barriers to blind and visually impaired users.

Dr Marc Maurer, president of the NFB, claimed that the decision will set new precedents in the US.

"This ruling is a great victory for blind people throughout the country," he remarked.

"We are pleased that the court recognised that the blind are entitled to equal access to retail websites."

Target had moved to dismiss the case, claiming in part that no civil rights laws applied to the Internet, which was rejected by the court.

In the UK, the Disability Discrimination Act requires that all websites are accessible to blind and visually impaired users.

© Adfero Ltd

Keep up to date with industry and Nomensa news by signing up to Nomensa newsletters.