PAS 78: Guide to good practice in commissioning accessible websites
In April 2004 an investigation by the Disability Rights Commission (DRC) found that 81 percent of sites failed to uphold the simplest of WCAG recommendations (level A). As a direct result of this the DRC commissioned the Dritish Standards Institute (BSI) to produce Publicly Available Specification (PAS) 78.
The specification, entitled Guide to good practice in commissioning accessible websites, was launched on 8th March 2006. It is written such that commissioners can understand and discuss the issues of web accessibility, rather than at the suggesting solutions for developers.
The specification has the potential to change how failure to comply with the legislation is handled. The current trend is one of consiliation, but this may become more litigious in the near future.
Of significant note is the current legal action being brought against Target.com by the National Federation of the Blind. Target is a large US retailer but it is clear that a firmer stance on accessibility is being pursued.