UK retailers are failing to make theirwebsites fully accessible to disabled
users.
At least 35% of major retailers are failing to meet the
requirements of the
Disability
Discrimination Act, claims online usability and accessibility
consultant Webcredible, which analysed 20 top retail websites.
It said UK online retailers score an average of 57% in disabled
access tests, with H Samuel topping the list with 76%.
Among navigational problems for disabled users, the study
discovered that a prevailing failure among sites was poor
accessibility at the checkout stage.
Trenton Moss, director of Webcredible said, "Disabled web users
of all ages are becoming increasingly savvy and adept at using the
internet. Online retailers need to constantly adapt and raise their
game to improve accessibility."
The 20 e-commerce websites and their scores:
H Samuel 76%
HMV 75%
B&Q 74%
John Lewis 73%
Argos 72%
Waterstones 66%
Game 64%
Top Shop 64%
Hamleys 63%
Mothercare 62%
Accessorize 61%
Marks & Spencer 57%
Body Shop 55%
Next 47%
Woolworths 44%
WHSmith 41%
Boots 37%
Debenhams 37%
Early Learning Centre 36%
Currys 34%