Local Authority Websites

HC Deb 15 June 2004 vol 422 c849W

Mr. Berry

To ask the Deputy Prime Minister how the Government are tackling access barriers to disabled people on local government websites. [177020]

Phil Hope

Under the local e-Government programme the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister is supporting a national project called LAWS—Local Authority Websites, to develop guidance for local authorities on best practice for designing and managing websites. One of the issues addressed is website accessibility, including for disabled people. Ensuring that their websites are accessible to all their citizens is fundamental to the design of individual authorities' websites. Another national project, e-SB—the Standards Body, will incorporate website accessibility information into the forthcoming website standards for local authorities.