[access-uk] Re: Website preferences

On 9 March 2011 07:29, Egan, Bim <Bim.Egan@xxxxxxxxxxx> wrote:

> My name's Bim Egan, I'm the technical lead for RNIB's web access team.
> Web designers sometimes look to RNIB for guidance on what sight-impaired
> people need to make a site accessible.  Though we have no power to
> insist that they take our advice, we want to make sure that what we say
> is right for  you and others .

Replying on-list, but first to say:

Hi Bim, RNIB told me you'd left last year! Anyway, good to see you
back on the case.

Here's the problem from a web designer's point of view:

We can create websites which machine-validate to WAI AAA and WACG
level two. We can ensure that the html and css fully validates to
ensure cross-browser and screenreader compatibility.

In fact, with dynamic database driven sites, browser detection and
good use of xhtml and css, there's no reason for a site to not be
blind-friendly.

But if you want people to display the RNIB's Surfright badge, I'm
afraid it just costs too much.

My site is 4 template pages. The quote I got was around £1,000 inc
VAT, + £120 per hour + VAT for any other work. That worked out at
£4.51 per word!
Apparently, the going rate is £240 per page, plus vat. Not to design,
but just check compliance with disability guidelines and suggest
improvements if needed.

For a small business, this is a huge cost. Thinking I must have heard
wrong, I contacted two local authorities and one dept of the MOD
displaying the surfright logo, who I knew would have to disclose
figures paid.

They'd all paid in excess of £2000 just for the RNIB Surfright logo.
As this is an annual charge, when I asked them about this last July,
they said with the budget cuts that were even kicking in back then,
that they couldn't afford to Surfright their site at renewal. So even
for large government depts, this is too hefty.

I appreciate that RNIB have lots of good free guidelines for designing
sites, but if you want people to work towards a high standard and
approval badging, people just can't afford to when and 50 pixel logo
costs more than the entire project and hosting! Just my 2p (or should
I say £1000) worth :)
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