Online businesses are set to face the possibility of legal action if they do not ensure that their Web sites can be accessed by people with disabilities, following a new code of practice issued by the Disabilities Rights Commission.

The official disabilities commission has published a code of practice which has warned site owners that they will be in breach of the 1995 Disability Discrimination Act if they fail to comply with official guidelines.

"If Web sites aren't accessible they will be breaking the law. If there's a complaint, the Web site will have to take that on board or the person complaining could take them to court. Businesses have to take steps now to make sure that accessibility issues are addressed", says Disability Rights Commission spokesman Will Dingli. He adds that the law will come into full effect in October 2004.

He says that SMEs should consult with disability organisations in order to have their sites audited and to receive advice on what steps they should take. Dingli believes there is a long way to go and points out that Web sites frequently fail to take into consideration people with disabilities. "Web sites are designed for people who want to get information quickly without thinking how it must be done for disabled people."

Justin Hunt, Internet Works.