[access-uk] Re: Asda online.
- From: Léonie Watson <tink@xxxxxxxxxx>
- To: <access-uk@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
- Date: Sun, 14 Jan 2007 16:29:57 -0000
Benjamin,
Benjamin wrote:
"I agree it's probably unnecessary. But I think the key thing is that =
there
should be genuinely equivalent access to all comers."
Absolutely. Access to information is the primary goal. The concern I
have is that when a company that presents itself as a great advocate of
accessibility finds it necessary to use two sites, others will follow =
their
example, only with less understanding of the implications.
Benjamin wrote:
"Have you tried either sending using the contact form at:
http://www.asda.co.uk/corp/customer_service/contact_us.html";
That's how I first contacted them. I received a call from their
customer service day later. The caller was very pleasant, but could =
only
point me at the access site. He said he didn't know who to pass my
suggestions on to and couldn't hand me to a manager as he didn't know =
who
dealt with such requests.
Benjamin wrote:
"Or alternatively, you might try writing them a snail-mail letter. =
(Their
postal address is on the same page.)"
Good idea.
"Without straying into hostility, I would include full details about =
your
less than satisfactory experience with customer services so far in your
email or letter."
This is good advice. In my first email, I explained the problems I
encountered, mentioned the DDA, but in a helpful rather than =
antagonistic
manner, and outlined one or two of the more obvious issues on the site.
Now I know the access site exists, I'll include the suggestion of
linking to it from the main site in my letter.
Regards,
L=E9onie.
=20
-----Original Message-----
From: access-uk@xxxxxxxxxxxxx [mailto:access-uk@xxxxxxxxxxxxx] On Behalf =
Of
Benjamin Hawkes-Lewis
Sent: 13 January 2007 16:08
To: access-uk@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
Subject: [access-uk] Re: Asda online.
L=E9onie Watson wrote:
> Why provide two sites? There is absolutely no need, economically,=20
> socially, accessibly or otherwise. The technology to create a single,=20
> accessible and user friendly site has long been around. Sainsburys are =
> a fair example of this.
I agree it's probably unnecessary. But I think the key thing is that =
there
should be genuinely equivalent access to all comers. If they want to do =
that
with 2 or 49 different versions, that's really their problem.
The main problems with "accessible versions" seem to arise when they are =
not
as accessible as the creators think they are, or when they are not kept =
up
to date, for which there is no excuse especially with a database driven =
site
like this one. Now if the accessible version is not in fact accessible, =
or
if there are disabilities that they don't in fact provide for, that's a
different and much more serious matter.
> Asda customer services don't appear to know much about the web, so I'm =
> not sure how to send feedback to the right ears.
Have you tried either sending using the contact form at:
http://www.asda.co.uk/corp/customer_service/contact_us.html
Or alternatively, you might try writing them a snail-mail letter. (Their
postal address is on the same page.)
This thread revealed that it was hard to find out about the (allegedly)
accessible version of the site at http://www.asda.com/access.html .
Indeed, the homepage at
http://www.asda.co.uk/corp/home.html=20
doesn't seem to link to the accessible version at all, which is just =
silly.
If I were contacting ASDA, I would make my first concrete suggestion =
that
they should include a link to the accessible version as one of the very
first elements on the page. I would stress that for those with mobility
disabilities or who have poor eyesight but are not blind, it absolutely =
must
be an easy-to-find, visible link. Rewriting their entire site might take =
a
bit of expertise, time and money, but sticking in an link to the =
accessible
version should be inexpensive.
Without straying into hostility, I would include full details about your
less than satisfactory experience with customer services so far in your
email or letter.
If ASDA do not prove responsive, I would be tempted to take it up with =
RNIB
or whichever organization is most relevant to you.
Hope that helps.
--
Benjamin Hawkes-Lewis
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