> >> -----Original Message----- > >> From: listdad@webstandardsgroup.org > >> [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] On Behalf Of Tim > >> Sent: Saturday, 29 July 2006 11:41 AM > >> To: wsg@webstandardsgroup.org > >> Subject: Re: [WSG] eCensus Web Site Accessibility > >> > >> Who is really pushing the case for accessibile website > standards in > >> Australia, a few individuals only I believe. Does Vision > >> Australia send > >> out non-compliance notices to companies with bad websites > >> like RNIB do > >> in the UK. Has Vision Australia taken any action under > the DDA 1992 > >> like Americans have against Target? > >> > >> I am tired of low standards in the Australian government > >> websites and > >> organisations who do nothing effective to force change. Vision > >> Australia demand nothing from the government and they get > nothing in > >> return. They like to work with their clients while creating a false > >> impression internationally that the Australian government is > >> hanging on > >> their every word. The Australian government could not care > less what > >> Vision Australia does, yet Vision Australia does nothing > but let the > >> status quo continue. > > > > I don't see why it should be Vision Australia's job to send out > > non-compliance notices to companies with bad websites. Of course > > accessible > > website would be of interest to Vision Australia, but they > are not the > > one > > and only organisation with members or clients affected by bad > > accessibility. > > You might as well demand the same from Scope, Australian > Hearing and > > the > > Physical Disability Council of Australia. > > > > It should be the government's job to ensure accessibility is being > > provided > > as much as can reasonably be expected. I agree that it is a > waste of > > time > > and money for eCensus to make two forms (one accessible, one > > inaccessible), > > but at least they try. It's a start, isn't it? > > > -----Original Message----- > From: listdad@webstandardsgroup.org > [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] On Behalf Of Tim > Sent: Saturday, 29 July 2006 1:05 PM > To: wsg@webstandardsgroup.org > Subject: Re: [WSG] eCensus Web Site Accessibility > > I believe that UK sites are better than Australian sites in part > because RNIB are a more proactive organisation, testing sites for > standards compliance, awarding See it Right certification and sending > notices of non-compliance to companies with inaccessible websites. > > Low advocacy levels produces low standards compliance. If Vision > Australia do not push hard for standards compliance why should AGIMO > care what a few individuals like me say? >
Firstly, I would like to differentiate between standards compliance and accessibility. Standards Compliance does not equal accessibility and accessibility does not equal standards compliance. A website can be not complying with standards and still be accessible by the majority of people. And just because a website complies with standards certainly does not mean it's accessible. The reason I would like to make this difference is because I certainly agree with you that if a government website is obviously inaccessible and it could be expected to be improved, organisations such as Vision Australia and other associations that represent users with disabilities should voice their concerns and attempt to force a change. However, I do not believe that it is the job of any of those organisations to go and test websites for standards compliance and send out notices or award some kind of certificates. They certainly have got better things to do than that. Do you know how many websites they would have to go and test? And what if those websites are standards compliant - does it mean they are therefore accessible or user-friendly for visually disabled users? Not really. I would suggest that it is the role of the individual to find problematic websites and report them. However, the reporting process could go perhaps through the channels of organisations such as Vision Australia or RNIB, as they have got a stronger voice. ****************************************************** The discussion list for http://webstandardsgroup.org/ See http://webstandardsgroup.org/mail/guidelines.cfm for some hints on posting to the list & getting help ******************************************************
