Charity wants to ensure technology is accessible for disabled and older people

The Royal National Institute of Blind People (RNIB) has produced a set of guidelines to help IT developers and designers make systems more accessible to disabled and elderly people.

Guidelines for the design of accessible IT systems provides information on different types of disabilities and their implications, as well as an overview of everyday situations where accessibility is an issue.

The people designing and manufacturing technology systems have to power to enhance the lives of their users, said Dr John Gill, chief scientist at the RNIB.

"They are the people who design and make IT systems and we urge them to look at the recommendations contained in the guidelines and to give some thought on how greater improvements can be made", he said.

"The need to do so grows apace as, added to the several millions of Britons with disabilities, we have to help the increasing number of older people".