Just under three-quarters (72%) of leading Irish companies are failing on website accessibility, with no one sector achieving greater than a 50% accessibility pass rate, according to the first Digital Accessibility Index for Ireland, published by IA Labs.
The index analyses websites against a range of requirements set out by an EU directive, adopted by Ireland in 2020, that requires the digital platforms of public sector bodies to be accessible to all users.
This includes ensuring that websites are navigable for people who use screen readers, fully usable for people who only use keyboards due to reduced motor skills, and adjustable colour contrasts for people with low vision.
Central Statistics Office (CSO) figures show there are approximately 600,000 people in Ireland with a disability, and inaccessible sites and digital platforms can deny them access to online services and products.
Commenting at the launch of the Digital Accessibility Index, Minister of State for Disability Anne Rabbitte said: "This is a really important piece of work and provides a benchmark for evaluating digital accessibility and inclusion for all citizens in this country.
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"The findings clearly highlight where compliance with the EU Directive is falling short and, importantly, demonstrates how both public and private companies need to be proactive in ensuring their websites are usable by everyone.”
The research classified the sites of Ireland's top five supermarkets as inaccessible as well as those of 10 of the country's leading online housing and rental platforms, while just one of the top 20 private hospitals passed the digital accessibility audit.
In terms of education, not one website passed out of a sample of 28 websites of Irish universities, private and public sector schools, according to IA Labs, which is a spin-out from NCBI that offers consultancy and auditing services to companies on digital accessibility.
EU regulations on disability at present only cover public sector bodies, with 89% of government departments boasting accessible sites, with only the sites of the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment and the Department of Foreign Affairs currently deemed not accessible.
Looking specifically at Irish political parties, only the websites of Fianna Fáil, Labour and People Before Profit are considered to be digitally accessible for all users.
Kyran O’Mahoney, founder of IA Labs, said: “The findings of the Digital Accessibility Index highlight the need for companies and public bodies to seriously consider their digital offering.
"No company sets out to create an inaccessible website, but our research tells us that there needs to be a greater focus on prioritising accessibility. The fact that not one of Ireland’s top five grocery retailers has an accessible website is an example of how barriers to access can be created, negatively impacting people with disabilities.”
(Pic: Getty Images)
