The Disability Rights Commission (DRC) has launched a new campaign to make the web more accessible to the disabled.

A recent survey by the DRC showed that 81 per cent of UK websites are inaccessible to disabled people, and that the average home page contains 108 barriers that make it 'impossible' or 'very difficult' for disabled people to use.

The DRC has published the Guide to Good Practice in Commissioning Accessible Websites in an effort to persuade web designers to make sites more accessible to disabled users.

"We need to ensure that more websites can be used by disabled people, and this document will play a key part in making that happen," said DRC chairman Bert Massie.

"Businesses and the web industry have a responsibility to ensure that the web is barrier-free to disabled people, and it also makes good business sense.

"An accessible website is easier for both disabled and non-disabled people to use, and is bound to attract more customers."

The guide was developed with the British Standards Institute and covers all areas of web design and production, from web page design tricks to involving disabled people in all stages of the design process.

"The BSI is delighted to have had the opportunity to work with the DRC to develop best practice guidelines for commissioning accessible websites and to help provide disabled people with increased access to information, products and services online," said Mike Low, director of BSI British Standards.

"This is a win-win situation in that the guidance provides benefits for industry and end-users alike."