Should Web design become a regulated profession?

Should Web design become a regulated profession?: . Does the definition of 'disabled' include people who aren't registered as disabled but who may have real accessibility problems, such as colour-blindness? Does it take into account old people who, although they might not be considered disabled, have failing sight? In other words, are Web designers in the same position as architects were, designing for a minority of the population?

In architecture, these kinds of issues are addressed in two ways: through building regulations, which are ultimately set by government, and by the training requirements of the profession's governing body, the Royal Institute of British Architects. To be allowed to practise as an architect, you have to pass three sets of exams, the third part of which concerns building regulations. Failure to observe these is both illegal and professionally negligent. In addition, architects are required to carry significant liability insurance. By comparison, Web design requires no formal qualification and, although the question of designers' liability for inaccessible Web sites has been raised, it has yet to be taken seriously.