With more and more countries around the world passing laws about blind and disabled access to the Internet (including the Disability Discrimination Act in the UK), web accessibility has been thrown into the spotlight of the online community. This article attempt to put a stop to the misinformation that has been thrown around and tell you the truth behind web accessibility.
1. Creating a text-only equivalent is sufficient
Creating a separate text-only equivalent can lead to a number of problems:
- A text-only version is not necessarily accessible
- Two versions of the same website represents a huge time and money investment for you
- Your primary site may not be accessible to many users
- An 'extra' accessible website for blind and disabled users can be one more way to make them feel marginalised from mainstream society
Web accessibility isn't just about blind and disabled Internet users being able to use your site - it's about everyone being able to access it successfully. It really doesn't have to take very much time or money to make your website accessible.
2. It's complicated and expensive to make my website accessible
To develop an accessible website from scratch will cost virtually the same as to develop a website that isn't accessible. A very large, highly inaccessible website may take a bit more time and money to fix up, although the basic layout and design usually need not change.
Web accessibility is not complicated and anyone with basic web design skills can easily implement it.
3. Accessible and attractive web design can't go together
Many advocates of web accessibility tend to have rather dull, unattractive websites. This is unfortunate, as web accessibility need not affect the design of the website in any way whatsoever. To fully dispel this myth, have a look at the CSS Zen Garden ( http://www.csszengarden.com ) - a beautiful website offering 100% accessibility.
4. Accessible websites stifle creativity
Web accessibility actually places very few restrictions on website design. In fact, as with regular websites, you're only really limited by your imagination when creating accessible websites. Have a look at the CSS Zen Garden ( http://www.csszengarden.com ) to see for yourself that accessibility doesn't have to affect creativity in any way.
5. My site visitors don't have a problem accessing my website
Not necessarily. See Benefits of an accessible website - part 1 ( http://www.webcredible.co.uk/user-friendly-resources/web-accessibility/benefits-of-accessible-websit es-1.shtml ) to see just how many Internet users you may be excluding from your site. You can be sure that with 35 million websites to choose from it's unlikely that a site visitor prevented from accessing your website is going to waste his time contacting you to ask you to fix the problem.
6. Web accessibility places restrictions on the web page design
Not at all. As with regular websites, you're only limited by your imagination when creating accessible websites. Text size can be as large or as small you like (provided it's resizable), you can use any colour scheme you like (provided colour isn't the only way you differentiate information) and you can use as many images as you like (provided an alternative description is provided).
These accessibility provisos mostly happen behind the scenes and don't affect the presentation of the website.
7. Blind and disabled people don't use the Internet
On the contrary, blind and disabled people benefit from the Internet perhaps more than anyone else.
For example, visually impaired people have to phone up a supermarket when they want to go shopping to inform them of their arrival. When they get there, a store assistant will accompany them around the store. Through accessible websites blind people can now shop at home, and in their own time.
Conclusion
Web accessibility isn't brain science. It's not just about disabled users being able to access your website - it's about everyone being able to access your website, including people using handheld devices, WebTV and in-car browsers. Any web developer with basic HTML and CSS design knowledge, and a bit of time on their hands, can easily learn and implement web accessibility.
Trenton Moss is crazy about web accessibility and usability - so crazy that he went and started his own web accessibility and usability consultancy ( Webcredible - http://www.webcredible.co.uk ) to help make the Internet a better place for everyone.
See how you can create graphic effects on text with... Read More
RIVERSIDE, CA August 4, 2004 ?- "Historically, small business owners... Read More
1. Many people are not getting good or complete advice.... Read More
Every business needs to know how it is doing. That's... Read More
Your website conversion rate should concern you. This simply refers... Read More
--------------------------------Why Should You Create a website?--------------------------------A. What do you want... Read More
Understanding and using web analytics.In recent years, website marketers were... Read More
Before you start building your site, ask yourself "WHY?". Why... Read More
It never ceases to amaze me how many people set-up... Read More
Customer service questionnaires can help your clients better understand their... Read More
A while ago one of my clients approached me and... Read More
With more and more countries around the world passing laws... Read More
cPanel is a control panel for your website and allows... Read More
There was a time not long ago when setting up... Read More
Now that you have got your domain name registered, your... Read More
I've heard several prominent web marketers mention in their classes... Read More
Most interactive websites nowadays require data to be presented dynamically... Read More
1. Splash pagesMost of the time splash pages are uncalled... Read More
A PHP Redirect automatically transfers a web user from one... Read More
Many executives and investors are skeptical that software products can... Read More
Web templates by nature are created to aid and ease... Read More
The following is a list of patterns that many visitors... Read More
In my previous life.....Actually, my previous JOB life, I was... Read More
Profiles are one of the best kept secrets around regarding... Read More
Making money with your web site is the dream and... Read More
"What's in it for me?" you ask. "Why should I... Read More
What do you mean, you don't have a website for... Read More
If one more business owner tells me their website sucks... Read More
Like most average persons, I wanted some extra money to... Read More
1. SiteSpinner V2 - On Sale www.deprice.com/sitespinner.htmSiteSpinner is a user-friendly... Read More
To the starting internet entrepreneur, there is nothing more discouraging... Read More
Internet Marketing is not a miracle marketing strategy ? competition... Read More
Selecting the Perfect Domain NameThe first issue I have with... Read More
When web content gets discussed on webmaster bulletin boards, the... Read More
So what do you do if need to get a... Read More
When marketing your website, it's important to know which of... Read More
Three way linking and concerns.For many years SEO experts were... Read More
If you're looking for better web site ROI, chances are,... Read More
The Internet car buyer is an elusive animal. Trying to... Read More
What is SQL? SQL stands for Structured Query Language and... Read More
If one more business owner tells me their website sucks... Read More
No matter what browser you may want to use, you... Read More
While studying online for IT investment opportunities, I found that... Read More
Starting and maintaining a business is challenging enough without the... Read More
Revenues are often lost because many business owners don't see... Read More
The following is a list of patterns that many visitors... Read More
As increasing numbers of people search for information on the... Read More
You hear a great deal about the Internet these days... Read More
Functions and Subroutines in ASP If you read... Read More
When you started reading this sentence you assumed lo acabarķa... Read More
It is an undeniable fact that not everybody is keen... Read More
SummaryHere's the scoop on what you must know when designing... Read More
August 8 2005, Macromedia announced a release of Studio 8.... Read More
If you were asked to put a value on your... Read More
An additional benefit of website accessibility is an improved performance... Read More
With search engines putting a damper on direct reciprocal links,... Read More
In a previous ezinearticles.com article,"I Need real visitors, Not Search... Read More
RIVERSIDE, CA August 4, 2004 ?- "Historically, small business owners... Read More
When you consider the billions of individuals and companies on... Read More
So you want to have a website. You have gone... Read More
That's right. Your method, behavior and strategy you are now... Read More
In the region where my company is located, South Bend,... Read More
Have you ever wondered what challenges are faced by other... Read More
You don't believe in astrology but you check your horoscope... Read More
Most interactive websites nowadays require data to be presented dynamically... Read More
How do you decide on the content, products and or... Read More
Web Development |