Ninety per cent of UK voluntary sector web sites do not meet minimum standards of accessibility for disabled people, according to research from computing and disability specialist AbilityNet.

The figures raise concerns because voluntary sector sites target a higher percentage of disabled people than those in the public and private sectors.

Report author Robin Christopherson, AbilityNet’s web consultancy manager, believes many voluntary organisations lack the resources to make sites compliant.

He estimates that across all sectors, 80 to 90 per cent of sites do not meet basic standards, and that to make them compliant costs an extra two to three per cent.

‘The voluntary sector is facing a big challenge to meet accessibility standards but it’s certainly not impossible,’ he said.

Compliant web sites could see a 10 to 20 per cent increase in customer volumes., according to Christopherson.

Research carried out in conjunction with the Disability Rights Commission showed visitors – including able-bodied visitors – spent 35 per cent less time in navigating accessible sites.

As well as legal and ethical reasons, Christopherson believes there is a good business case for improved compliance.

He cites the relaunch of Legal & General’s commercial web site, which has seen 66 per cent maintenance cost savings, a 30 per cent increase in traffic and a 75 per cent reduction in page loading time. The firm expects to recoup its £200,000 outlay in six months through cost savings and increased ecommerce.

An investigation by the Disability Rights Commission in 2004 found that 81 per cent of voluntary sector sites failed to meet minimum standards.

How the sites measure up

Three stars represents minimum web site accessibility standards.

* * * * * www.discnwl.org.uk

* * * www.cancerresearchuk.org, www.rnib.org.uk, www.gdba.org.uk, www.citizensadvice.co.uk

* * www.ageconcernkingston.org

* www.oxfam.org.uk, www.bhf.org.uk, www.rnli.org.uk, www.otrbristol.org.uk, www.cro.org.uk