Target accessibility case 'could affect UK websites'

The issue of website accessibility could be thrown into the spotlight in the UK following the settlement of a case in the US, it has been claimed.

Retailer Target was sued by a group of disabled web users who could not use the company's website with their usual screen-reading software.

The business will now pay a substantial amount of compensation and has to make changes to its website to ensure it is accessible to all.

Eversheds partner Owen Warnock told the Telegraph that the case could have implications for British businesses operating online.

"In the UK, if the website provides goods and services there are obligations to make reasonable adjustments, which would include making it accessible to screen readers," he commented.

According to a number of lawyers, many UK businesses still ignore stipulations in the 1995 Disability Discrimination Act obliging firms to make online provisions for disabled internet users.

Dr Marc Maurer, president of the US-based National Federation of the Blind, said at the time of the Target case's conclusion that he hoped it would spur other businesses to proactively amend their own websites.

This news story was brought to you by Bluhalo, a leading UK digital agency.