"The power of the web is in its universality. Access by everyone regardless of disability is an essential aspect." ... Tim Berners-Lee, W3C Director and inventor of the World Wide Web
Who benefits from accessible design?
- You - the purpose of your website is to relay information but the information must be accessible to your consumers - would you build a store without a front door?
- Consumers using older technology - low-end graphics cards, no audio devices, slow modems, low bandwidth, .... Many people and organizations cannot afford to update their equipment regularily and the technology has outdistanced many consumers.
- Consumers using different browsers - IE may be the most popular but it is not the only browser - pages are not consistent from browser to browser.
- Consumers using newer technology - wireless handheld devices such as mobile phones, handheld PCs, .... Consumers that do keep up with the latest gizmo are not likely to be patient with slow loading graphics, missing content, or confusing layouts.
- Consumers customizing browser features such as disabling sounds, disabling graphics, modifying text size, automatically resizing images, altering contrast, disabling style sheets, disabling applets, scrips and plugins, .... Browsers incourage individuality and diversity. Your website should be accessible to such diversity to effectively relay information.
- Consumers with disabilities using assistive technology such as screen readers, keyboard navigation, alternative input devices, .... Creating an accessible website for consumers with disabilities will benefit everyone who visits your site - you are not designing to the lowest common demoninator, you are designing for all your potential consumers.
Website accessibility is an effective marketing tool. Accessibility is part of the W3C guidelines and is required by federal law.