Pub company websites failing disabled

Pub company websites are failing to meet the minimum requirements for the visually impaired.

More than three-quarters (86 per cent) of businesses in the leisure and travel sector, including pubcos, failed to meet the minimum standards under the Disability Discrimination Act in a website study.

The report, commissioned by internet consultancy Front of Mind, found that only three sites achieved minimum accessibility standards - with only one pubco, Mitchells & Butlers, (M&B) making the grade.

Pub companies Greene King, JD Wetherspoon, Wolver-hampton & Dudley Breweries, Luminar, Whitbread and Punch Taverns all failed the accessibility test.

"It is as if many businesses have decided there is little risk of being subject to legal action, so are ignoring the issue of accessibility," said Front of Mind business development director Michal Vinik.

The Disability Rights Comm-ission (DRC) has raised concerns. Agnes Fletcher, assistant director of communications, said: "Sadly, the findings of this survey are not surprising.

"Disabled people and those with long-term health conditions find it difficult to use the internet because of obstacles such as small font sizes and poor navigation. This needs to change.

"Not only are poor websites potentially breaking the law, they are barring potential customers. Disabled people in this country have about £80bn a year to spend."

Eddie Gershon, a spokesman for JD Wetherspoon, said the company would be happy to look into any issues its customers have with its website.

"JD Wetherspoon's website is immensely popular as shown by the number of hits on a daily basis. We have not been alerted to any problems with accessibility by disabled people," he said.

M&B was delighted its website had been given the green light. A spokeswoman said its site had been especially designed with disabled customers in mind. "We built the site to meet accessibility standards because it is good for our customers and all users of the website, not just because it is a legal requirement," she said.

"We are committed to continuing to develop the accessible technologies used in the site and regularly review new ways of making the site best practice."

l www.mbplc.com