Public sector bodies and private sector companies have been urged to
prioritise digital accessibility, after a new report showed that 72% of
leading Irish companies do not have accessible websites. The first Digital
Accessibility Index for Ireland, published by IA Labs, found that not one
sector achieved a greater than 50% accessibility pass rate.
The Digital Accessibility Index analyses websites against a range of
requirements set out by an EU Directive on digital accessibility which was
introduced for public sector bodies in 2020. This includes ensuring that
websites are navigable for people who use screen readers, fully usable for
people who only use keyboards due to having reduced motor skills and
adjustable colour contrast for people with low vision. Research on
accessibility was carried out by IA Labs in 2021 and 2022, with comparisons
drawn between the two years.
According to data from the Central Statistics Office (CSO), there are
approximately 600,000 people in Ireland with a disability. Inaccessible
websites and digital platforms can deny people with disabilities access to
online services and products.
In the retail sector, the research found that Irelands top five grocery
retailers were classified as inaccessible as were all ten of the countrys
leading online housing and rental platforms.
Separately, only one out of the countrys 20 private hospitals analysed
passed the digital accessibility audit. In terms of education, not one
website passed out a sample of 28 websites of Irish universities, private
and public sector schools.
IA Labs, a spin-out company from NCBI, Irelands national sight loss agency,
was established in 2021 offering consultancy and auditing services to public
and private sector companies on digital accessibility. Based in Dublin, IA
Labs is a market leader in the provision of digital accessibility services.
Currently, EU Regulations on digital accessibility only cover public sector
bodies. Private companies are not required by law to be digitally
accessible, however, this may be extended in future to cover private
companies.
In the public sector, the research found 89% of Government Departments have
accessible websites, with the websites of the Department of Enterprise,
Trade and Employment and the Department of Foreign Affairs currently deemed
not accessible.
Looking specifically at Irish political parties, only the websites of Fianna
Fáil, Labour and People Before Profit are considered to be digitally
accessible for all users.
Commenting at the launch of the Digital Accessibility Index, Minister of
State for Disability, Anne Rabbitte TD, said, I welcome the publication of
the first Digital Accessibility Index, developed by IA Labs. This is a
really important piece of work and provides a benchmark for evaluating
digital accessibility and inclusion for all citizens in this country. The
findings clearly highlight where compliance with the EU Directive is falling
short and, importantly, demonstrates how both public and private companies
need to be proactive in ensuring their websites are usable by everyone.
Kyran OMahoney, Founder of IA Labs said, The findings of the Digital
Accessibility Index highlight the need for companies and public bodies to
seriously consider their digital offering. No company sets out to create an
inaccessible website, but our research tells us that there needs to be a
greater focus on prioritising accessibility. The fact that not one of
Irelands top five grocery retailers has an accessible website is an example
of how barriers to access can be created, negatively impacting people with
disabilities.
Chris White, CEO of NCBI said, Society is a better place when people of all
abilities are able to participate in and access it. We believe digital
accessibility is necessary for creating that world and that Ireland as a hub
for global IT companies should be at the forefront of digital accessibility.
IA Labs was established to help and support companies and public bodies
achieve this goal through its unique and comprehensive offering.
NCBI Press Releases & Blogs.
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