Accessibility

The Web brings us unprecedented access to Services and Information. However, it is essential that we all receive equal access to such content.

Method4 can offer advice on accessibility requirements for Information Solutions, and our internal processes ensure that we will always consider accessibility in the solutions that we build and deliver.

Why it's important

A poorly designed web site or application can be difficult or impossible for a disabled user to properly access or navigate. For example, a blind or partially sited user may access the content through a screen reader which reads aloud the contents of a website. To cater for a variety of access methods, proper consideration needs to be given to how content is defined.

Ensuring that web content is accessible helps foster social inclusion, equal access and equal opportunity.

In the UK, the Disabilities Discrimination Act 1995 (which specifically mentions websites) makes it unlawful for a service provider to discriminate against a disabled person by refusing to provide any service which it provides to members of the public.

Accessibility is also important for non-disabled users. Users with older browsers, reduced display resolution, colour limitations and slower connection speeds each have their own accessibility requirements.

Our website

We have endeavoured to ensure that the Method4 website is as accessibile as possible. We'd be happy to receive any comments you may have on this or other aspects of our site. Please email us at info@method4.co.uk.

Here are some of the accessibility features:

• W3C WCAG compliant (prority 3)
• All pages validate as XHTML1.0 strict
• Any images which contain content have descriptive ALT tags
• Cascading Style Sheets (CSS level 1.0) are used for visual layout. Tables are not used for layout.
• Pages are readable when CSS is not available or disabled
• Navigation access keys have been used to provide keyboard assistance (for example, for the mobility impaired).
• Different levels of headings have been used to aid navigation
• Support for relative font sizes which allow some visual browsers to increase text size.