The bottom line is that website accessibility is a legal requirement in the
USA and UK. Peter Gray's comments may seem harsh, but he is absolutely
right in his assessment. We need to make sure that museum staff understand
what accessibility means and that it is just as important as content in
making a good website.

In the UK all public sector sites must attain the AA standard by the end of
2005. Ignorance of standards is no excuse in a court of law.

Websites are now by far the most important means of communication, and yet
responsibility for the website is often delegated to a member of staff
without the relevent knowledge. I appreciate the problems of small
underfunded museums, however the provision of accessible websites must now
been seen as a core function with appropriate professional input... and if
external vendors are used, contracts should always include clauses
stipulating accessibility standards.

Ian Edelman
Web Manager
Recreation and Heritage
Hampshire County Council

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