Asked by: Stephen Farry (Alliance - North Down)
Question to the Department for Science, Innovation & Technology:
To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, what assessment she has made of the adequacy of online accessibility for people with disabilities.
Answered by Paul Scully
The Government is committed to ensuring that as many people as possible, no matter their background, can overcome the barriers of digital inclusion and make the most of digital opportunities.
This includes working to remove barriers and ensure that online services are as inclusive as possible. The Government also understands the impact of poorly designed apps and websites, which do not take people with disabilities into account.
Cabinet Office manages the Government’s policy for the accessibility regulations which ensure that websites and mobile apps are designed to be perceivable, operable, understandable and robust.
That is why the Government Digital Service in Cabinet Office monitors the accessibility of public sector websites and mobile applications under The Public Sector Bodies (Websites and Mobile Applications) (No. 2) Accessibility Regulations 2018. Public sector websites and mobile applications need to meet the technical standard WCAG 2.1 AA and publish an accessibility statement.
Cabinet Office published a report in December 2021 detailing what had been found through accessibility monitoring of public sector websites and apps. Although accessibility issues were found on nearly all tested websites, after sending a report to the website owner, and giving them some time to fix, 59% had fixed the issues found or had short-term timelines for when the website would be fixed. The report can be found at https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/accessibility-monitoring-of-public-sector-websites-and-mobile-apps-2020-2021.
Furthermore, assisted digital support services aim to increase digital inclusion for those online users who lack digital confidence, digital skills or access to the internet and make sure that everyone, including people with disabilities and impairments, can access public services.
Asked by: Stephen Farry (Alliance - North Down)
Question to the Department for Science, Innovation & Technology:
To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, what steps the Government is taking to help ensure digital (a) inclusion and (b) accessibility for people with disabilities online.
Answered by Paul Scully
The Department for Science, Innovation and Technology is responsible for coordinating His Majesty’s Government’s digital inclusion policy and aims to ensure that as many people as possible, no matter their age, can overcome the barriers of digital inclusion and make the most of digital opportunities. The Government is working to remove barriers and ensure that online services are as inclusive as possible by making public sector websites accessible to as many people as possible.
The accessibility regulations ensure that websites and mobile apps are designed to be perceivable, operable, understandable and robust. Furthermore, assisted digital support services aim to increase digital inclusion for those online users who lack digital confidence, digital skills or access to the internet.
We also recognise that ongoing support is essential to overcome barriers of access. Through DCMS, our network of 2,900 public libraries across England provide a trusted network of accessible locations with staff, volunteers, free wifi, public PCs, and assisted digital access to a wide range of digital services. Charities such as Age UK and AbilityNet play an important role in assisting people with access to technology and the internet.
The Government also understands the impact of poorly designed apps and websites, which do not take people with disabilities into account. That is why, Cabinet Office’s Central Digital and Data Office regularly monitors compliance with the regulations for the accessibility of public sector websites.
Asked by: Stephen Farry (Alliance - North Down)
Question to the Department for Science, Innovation & Technology:
To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, if her Department will make an assessment of the potential merits of expanding the accountability of social media platforms for associated online transactions and incidents of fraud that occur on their platforms.
Answered by Paul Scully
The Online Safety Bill will ensure tech companies have to take proactive action to tackle the use of their platforms to commit fraud. All companies in scope of the Bill must take preventative measures to prevent fraudulent content appearing on their platforms and swiftly remove it if it does. Additionally, there will be a duty on the largest social media platforms and search engines, requiring them to tackle fraudulent adverts on their services.
Ofcom will have powers to take action against companies which do not comply with their duties, including fines of up to £18 million or 10 percent of their annual global turnover, whichever is greater.