Library web sites for people with disability: Accessibility evaluation of library websites in Pakistan

The Web is the source of information for people who have any kind of disability also known as People With Disability (PWDs). This is a fundamental human right recognized in the UN Convention on the Rights of PWDs, particularly indicate the Internet and other accessible information and communication technologies (ICTs).The UN convention on the rights of PWDs, signed on March 30, 2007 by 132 countries throughout the world clearly states that: “[. . .] PWDs should be able to live independently and participate fully in all aspects of life[. . .] PWDs should have equal access to the physical environment, to transportation, to information and communication technology, and to other facilities and services open or provided to the public” (“Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities”, Wikipedia, 2013). It is,therefore, that PWDs shall no more be deprived of benefiting the services,which normally provided through Websites. Different research studies reveal that, currently, Web sites are three times more accessible by people without any kind of disability than PWDs.