DDA Compliance

The Disability Discrimination Act first became law in 1995; that part of it which states websites must be made accessible came into force on 1 October 1999.

On 01 October 2004, further changes were introduced. Those specifically relating to websites are as follows:

• small employer exemption removed. All employers are now legally obliged to make all their services accessible including websites, intranets and extranets
  
• police and fire services are now also legally obliged to make their websites, intranets and extranets accessible. Previously they were exempt. The only area of employment still specifically excluded is the armed forces.
  

How does the DDA apply to websites?

• The Act applies to all organisations that provide goods or services whether for payment or not. The Courts have determined that a website constitutes the provision of a service.
• A website may also be covered under the employment provisions, as it may be a means of advertising jobs; or there may be an intranet which staff need to use.
• Any website relating to Education must be compliant.
  

Compliance with the Priority 1 requirements of the W3C's Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) does not necessarily ensure compliance with the DDA. In fact, the Act does not specify any technical standard that can be used to ensure compliance.