Source:
New Media Age - Published: 23 March 2006 00:00
High street retailer River Island may not be able to launch an accessible
version of its etail site for three months.
The delay means the 2m people in the UK with sight problems remain
isolated by the current Flash etail site, which experts believe
may be in breach of the Disability Discrimination Act (NMA 09.03.06).
River Island MD Richard Bradbury said that it's "working flat
out" to build an accessible version of the site but he couldn't
specify a launch date. "We have to get our act in order,"
he said, adding that on launching the Web site River Island "had
no intention to fail people".
Julie Howell, digital policy development manager at the RNIB, said,
"River Island should have an interim policy in place. It needs
to tell its customer service staff to be apologetic to people who
can't access the site.
"If someone brought a case against River Island under the
DDA, it would have to prove it's doing something about it, not just
say it," she warned.
Bradbury said he was unaware of the recently published DRC/BSI
guidelines, 'PAS 78: Guide to Good Practice in Commissioning Accessible
Websites', but would seek to consult them as soon as possible.
riverisland.co.uk |
