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AbilityNet judges accessibility of MP’s websites
20/11/2007
National computing and disability charity, AbilityNet, was the expert accessibility judge at the British Computer Society (BCS) first MP Website Awards.
In recognition of the key role that IT now plays in parliamentary communications, the British Computer Society (BCS) has announced the winners of its first MP Website Awards.
In addition to accessibility, the judges also appraised MPs’ sites on design and engagement criteria to evaluate whether they communicate effectively with their constituents and present the world of politics, particularly to young people, in an exciting and dynamic manner. There were winners in all three categories, as well as an over all winner who most successfully combines these three key qualities in an exemplary way.
Says AbilityNet's Head of Accessibility Services, Robin Christopherson: “Bearing in mind the legal obligation for websites to enable disabled people to access and navigate them effectively, standards of accessibility amongst the websites sampled ranged widely with many of them failing completely to meet the minimum accessibility criteria and therefore the shortlist. In fact, the majority of MPs are imposing an – albeit unintentional – technological lock-out on disabled voters – a rather undemocratic trend at a time when initiatives like e-government are attempting to bridge the digital divide and promote IT access for all.”
In addition to a series of manual checks, the assessment included a range of tests employing the types of adaptive technologies commonly used by disabled people such as screen readers and voice recognition software. Testers also examined the ease with which the types of changes necessary to improve access for those with vision impairments, dyslexia or physical problems making mouse-use difficult
The winning sites were not only informative, entertaining and compelling, but also incorporated modern media techniques such as blogs, pod or video casts and instant messaging, bringing Ministers and MPs together with voters and constituents in a meaningful dialogue that complements the democratic process.
In the UK an estimated 2 million people have a vision impairment, some 1.5 million have cognitive difficulties, a further 3.4 million have a disability which prevents them using a conventional computer set-up with ease, around 6 million are dyslexic and many millions experience literacy difficulties, not to mention the increasing number of elderly ‘silver surfers’ with failing eyesight or arthritis in our ageing population.
The Accessibility Award was won by Alan Johnson, MP for Kingston Upon Hull West and Hessle.
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Notes for Editors
BCS MP Website Awards 2007
Accessibility Award
- Category Winner:
- Alan Johnson MP
- Finalists
- Malcolm Bruce MP
- Adam Price MP
Design Award:
- Category Winner:
- Paul Flynn MP
- Finalists
- Boris Johnson MP
- Mike Wood MP
Engagement Award
- Category Winner:
- Derek Wyatt MP
- Finalists
- Richard Spring MP
- Tom Brake MP
Best MP Website Award 2007
- Winner:
- Adam Price MP
- Finalists:
- Lynne Featherstone MP
- Richard Benyon MP
Highly Commended MP Websites
- Nadine Dorries MP
- Boris Johnson MP
- George Galloway MP
About AbilityNet
AbilityNet is a charity that brings the benefits of computer technology to adults and children with all types of disabilities. Through its network of eleven centres, it offers a comprehensive range of services to disabled people, professionals, employers and statutory bodies. It provides free information and advice on any aspect of computer use by disabled people including individual assessment of technology needs, adapted computer equipment with full training and technical support, a programme of awareness education, and consultancy for employers on system and workstation adaptations, as well as website accessibility.
In 2006 AbilityNet supplied free advice and information to some 850,000 enquiries through its national freephone and web-based services. In addition, the charity's consultants saw nearly 2,000 disabled children and adults face-to-face for individual assessments, equipment, training sessions and home support visits.
In the same year, AbilityNet's professional education courses and seminars attracted around 6,000 staff from public, private and voluntary sector organisations, seeking to develop their awareness of adaptive technology for those with disabling conditions and learn practical solutions to apply in the workplace, at home or in education.
AbilityNet is dependent both nationally and locally on grants and donations from charitable trusts and companies, to carry out its work on behalf of disabled people and those who support them.
For further details call AbilityNet’s freephone helpline on: 0800 269545
Issued by: Caroline Saint Freedman, AbilityNet Press Office
Tel: 01926 429595
Email: press.office@abilitynet.org.uk