We've Got Standards. Include everyone!
Our websites are designed to meet standards and recommendations developed by the World Wide Web Consortium (W3C), including HTML 4.01, CSS 2.1, CSS 3 and WCAG 1.0. WCAG 1.0 is also the basis for the Irish National Disability Authority Guidelines for Web Accessibility. We test cross-platform cross-browser compatibility and accessibility using Firefox and Safari (Windows, Mac), Internet Explorer and Opera (Windows), JAWS and Window-Eyes screen reading software and IBM aDesigner disability simulator. For more detailed information visit our Help and Access Tips page.
When we design a website we aim to make it as accessible as possible to as many people as possible, and to ensure a better experience for all users, including those with visual impairments or other disabilities. This is an integral part if of our design ethos, not a "feature" or an "extra".
However, designing an accessible website is not just about ensuring access for the disabled. It also makes websites more user friendly and more useable, whether visitors use a visual web browser, a text browser or screen reader. By following best practices in creating well structured page designs that are easy to read and navigate, we create interoperable websites that do not "break" when features such as JavaScript, CSS or images are not available or have been turned off by the end user. And Search Engines like accessible websites too.