Accessibility and usability to be enshrined in Government IT policies
Strict new requirements for accessibility and usability are to be formally introduced into the UK Government's technical policies for public sector information systems, eGov monitor can report.
The proposed new policies stipulate that Government information systems must not "disadvantage or exclude" those with a disability, bringing the development and design of government IT and web projects into line with anti-discrimination law.
If the plans go ahead, the new measures would be enshrined as part of the e-Government Interoperability Framework, the technical standards and specifications which underpin the UK's eGovernment strategy. As compliance with the e-GIF is mandatory, the impact on the public sector IT marketplace would be profound.
The move follows the European Commission's announcement last month that it may call upon EU Member States to make accessibility a technical requirement of all public sector IT procurements.
The Cabinet Office e-Government Unit is proposing the following policies for accessibility and usability:
- Government information systems will be designed to meet UK legislation and to support channels that provide accessibility for disabled people.
- Government information systems will be designed to meet the requirements of the Disability Discrimination Act 1995 (DDA). The DDA places a legal obligation on a department that offers a service to the public to make all reasonable adjustments where services would otherwise be impossible or unreasonably difficult for disabled people to use.
- Government information systems will be designed so that anyone with an impairment that affects their use of this equipment is not disadvantaged or excluded by these systems
- Designers and developers of Government information systems are to be fully aware of, and complying with a set of technical standards for accessibility and usability specified in the technical standards catalogue.
The proposals are subject to public consultation until 17 June 2005.
Related Links
Technical Standards Catalogue Version 6.2 Draft (PDF: 201 KB)
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