All Things Web

This will be the first lesson in our four part lesson on web accessibility. We’ll define web accessiblity, and discuss why you as a web site owner should care.

Lets begin by defining web accessibility. Now, I will generally use information from the WAI or Web Accessibility Initiative to discuss these topics. I see no reason to attempt to re-write what has already been written so eloquently.

Web accessibility means that people with disabilities can use the Web. More specifically, Web accessibility means that people with disabilities can perceive, understand, navigate, and interact with the Web, and that they can contribute to the Web. Web accessibility also benefits others, including older people with changing abilities due to aging.

Web accessibility encompasses all disabilities that affect access to the Web, including visual, auditory, physical, speech, cognitive, and neurological disabilities. The document “How People with Disabilities Use the Web” describes how different disabilities affect Web use and includes scenarios of people with disabilities using the Web.

Millions of people have disabilities that affect their use of the Web. Currently most Web sites and Web software have accessibility barriers that make it difficult or impossible for many people with disabilities to use the Web. As more accessible Web sites and software become available, people with disabilities are able to use and contribute to the Web more effectively.

Web accessibility also benefits people without disabilities. For example, a key principle of Web accessibility is designing Web sites and software that are flexible to meet different user needs, preferences, and situations. This flexibility also benefits people without disabilities in certain situations, such as people using a slow Internet connection, people with “temporary disabilities” such as a broken arm, and people with changing abilities due to aging.

Source: WAI Introduction

So in basic summary, web accessibility is developing a web site so any user can use, interact and receive information from the page. With a minimum of 10% of the population having some sort of disability, it is very important that you take notice of this need and begin to work towards basic Web Accessiblity on your web site.

Now that we have an idea of what web accessibility is, I’d like to discuss why it’s important to your business. In a time that you must differentiate yourself from the competition and laws are getting more strict regarding accessibility in both the workplace and online, making your web site accessible can be a positive in both business growth and reputation.

The Web is an increasingly important resource in many aspects of life: education, employment, government, commerce, health care, recreation, and more. It is essential that the Web be accessible in order to provide equal access and equal opportunity to people with disabilities. An accessible Web can also help people with disabilities more actively participate in society.

Source: WAI Continued

By working to make your web site more accessible, you open your business to a new level of potential clients and customers that you were unable to reach before, due to the inability of those visitors to see the information on your web site.

In our next article, we’ll discuss what makes a web site accessible.