Disabled internet users will benefit from new web accessibility standards currently being developed by the British Standards Institute (BSI).  

Following the success of their 2006 accessibility guidelines, BSI have gathered together a technical committee to oversee the development of a full standard.  It will lay British website owners open to legal action, should they fail to make their sites accessible to all.

A degree of consultation with affected user groups and industry will be essential to the process, yet the committee will aim to publish the standards early in 2009. 

This will not only affect old websites that have outdated code but also new sites incorporating modern technologies such as Flash, AJAX and Javascript. All non-accessible functionality must have accessible alternatives. 

Web accessibility is often compromised by functional and aesthetic considerations but we've always found a way of building sites that conform to w3c accessibility standards, even if that has meant more time and effort. Big offenders, like River Island, among others, will have to act quickly to avoid the risk of prosecution next year. 

Sources:  BSI PAS 78:2006, Computer Weekly, NMA
             

 

A return visit is planned next month to Dublin, thanks to our bid being accepted by MS Ireland. You may remember it was my first trip to Ireland back in December, which I absolutely loved and am looking forward to visiting again. We're also pleased to be working with such an important charity and will keep readers up to date on this blog, by our newsletter and in the news section.

We've just read Jay Adelson's piece regarding the democratisation of information, care of the internet's burgeoning blogging community.  He describes the situation well - the way we assimilate knowledge is changing due to the proliferation of 'news' outlets (we're all increasing coming across information regarding new technologies from independent blogs and not from conventional news sites). 

Despite this explosion of information I think the power still lies with Google.  You can only access a fraction of what is out there without a search engine and the rules that govern SEO are constantly being rewritten.  Which really means that those complying with Google's latest guidelines get the largest amount of traffic.

Does the NHS deal with SMEs?  How would you go about reaching the key decision makers within each Trust?  How does the overarching hierarchy work?  

These were some of the many questions buzzing around my head before attending last night's BEN event entitled:  Selling to the NHS.  With the Chief Exec of North Bristol NHS Trust heading up the panel of speakers, this was an opportunity too good to pass up.

Joining Sonia Mills were three entrepreneurial clinicians, who spoke about their personal experiences in selling their own products to the NHS, along with Maria Hassard, who currently heads up NHS Innovations South West.

The key points discussed were relevant to cracking any market:  do your research,  be aware of all vested interests and - above all - sell the solution to their problems instead of emphasising potentially irrelevant features of the product.

What was interesting to hear about was the change in NHS culture and practises.  Innovation and data protection are current buzz words used in an organisation historically known for its backward approach to technology and change.  The regional innovation hubs have appeared as a result of this, while more open relationships are being sought with private industry. 

Although the amount of red tape has not abated, nor the lines of communication become any easier to charter, the health service seems to be sending out a welcome message to SMEs.  Whether this invitation will stretch to independent web developers was a question I came away with last night.  That, and some chocolate cake from the buffet!

Yahoo sniffs at Microsoft's offer, then.  Are they waiting it out for more cash or is this the end of the haggling battle?

Source:  BBC