At last, an easy way to complain about inaccessible websites - start reporting problems now!
New partnership
The Royal National Institute of Blind People (RNIB) and Fix the Web have announced a partnership to tackle the issue of inaccessible websites.
Fix the Web is a campaign that has been launched to tackle the problem of inaccessible websites on a massive scale. Backed by Stephen Fry, Fix the Web is an initiative of Citizens Online a national charity that campaigns for internet access for all.
The partnership encourages people with disabilities to report any accessibility problems they have with a website. Volunteers then assess and take forward the issue to the webmaster in question, hopefully reaching a solution and certainly raising awareness.
Millions excluded
Millions of disabled and older people are excluded from easily navigating their way around the web.
The majority of websites are simply not designed with accessibility for all in mind, despite the proven business case for inclusion. To compound the problem, it is often difficult to complain about the offending sites.
Robin Spinks, RNIB's Principal Manager (Digital Accessibility) said: "There is no excuse for inaccessible websites. This will give blind and partially sighted web users the opportunity to put pressure on website owners to make the necessary changes."
Dr. Gail Bradbrook of Citizens Online said:"We have made the reporting of web accessibility issues as simple as possible - it takes less than 60 seconds and hundreds of volunteers are already waiting to deal with them. We look forwards to working with the RNIB on delivering the best possible results from this project."
Report a problem!
So, next time you're facing a web accessibility issues why not report it to Fix the Web? You can do it in four quick and easy ways:
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Fill in a form on the site: http://www.fixtheweb.net
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Use twitter (#fixtheweb #fail, url and the problem)
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Email: post@fixtheweb.net
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Download a toolbar available on the Fix the Web site for browsers, developed by Southampton University, which includes a reporting button.
You don't have to register with the site (http://www.fixtheweb.net/reporting-websites), but if you do it can make the process even easier.
RNIB also offers accreditation audit services to help website owners make sure that their website is welcoming to all visitors, regardless of any disability or technology needs.
Fix the Web is funded by Nominet Trust and alongside RNIB, is proud to be working in partnership with: AbilityNet, Bloor Research, Coolfields Consulting, Hanona, Learning Societies Lab and Nomensa.