Web standards and guidelines

What is accessibility and how does it concern me?

Photo of a disabled sign on a stone wall - the symbol depicts a person in a wheelchair with an arrow beside it pointing upwards

LTS accessibility statement

If you are producing resources for publication on the LTS Online Service, you need to know about accessibility, because LTS resources must meet the World Wide Web Consortium's Web Accessibility Initiative  (W3C WAI) Double-A standard.

For further information, read the LTS accessibility statement - provided at the foot of all pages on the LTS Online Service. This explains, for users of the service, the accessibility features they can expect to find on LTS web pages.

What is accessibility?

The term accessibility is often used to describe the right of people with disabilities to expect equal access to services. This includes access to information and services provided on websites. Users most affected by accessibility are usually divided into four main categories:

  • Visually impaired
    Example - One accessibility issue for the visually impaired is the use of images and video without a text alternative.
  • Hearing impaired
    Example - Websites which contain audio files without providing information in an alternative format can create accessibility issues for people with hearing difficulties.
  • Motor control difficulties
    Example - Websites that can only be navigated by using a mouse create problems as some people with motor-control difficulties navigate websites by using the keyboard.
  • Cognitive difficulties
    Cognitive needs cover a wide range and are much more common than physical or sensory impairments.

However, web accessibility can also affect other internet users. We need to ensure that all internet users can access information and services, no matter what device they are using to connect to the internet.

Accessibility is a legal obligation

Under the Disability Discrimination Act, it is unlawful for companies and organisations, in both the private and public sector, to discriminate unjustifiably against disabled persons.

Part III of the Act applies to any person or organisation concerned with the provision in the United Kingdom of services to the public or a section of the public. Among the services covered are those provided to the public by local councils and government departments and agencies.

LTS is therefore legally obliged to make its resources as accessible as possible.